We’ve lost almost all our high standards and differentiating technical expertise—what used to make us ExxonMobil people proud to be from EM. So many of my truly good, high performing colleagues have resigned, even in low cost places like Bangkok. As an experienced technical person who used to be a good performer, it’s debilitating how the processes are constantly changing with shoring, and it’s demotivating personally. I now get by doing the bare minimum, and put my energy into other things outside work. In any given week, more than half the time you are trying to sort out fu-k ups from someone else’s lack of thoroughness in implementing yet another new process. There is no longer alignment between functions and teams, or trying to understand implications of changes. With shoring for my work area (IT), change management practices has gone to the toilet, the mess can be sort later but get this shiny new thing in my performance assessment first. The company claims to save millions quarter after quarter, so I suppose it’s worth it?
I feel so sorry for all of us, but it’s a worldwide thing that we no longer value high standards. Look at the IBM or layoff subs on Reddit, and maybe we’ll feel grateful at least we have a good paycheck.