I left Target 6 months ago after 2 years in TTS. I was an experienced hire, having previously worked for two large companies in the Twin Cities. During my time there, I wasn't able to deliver a single successful project. Although there were plenty of blame to go around, the number one reason for our consistent failures was TTS leaders! This starts at the Manager level and goes all the way to the Director level. They were incompetent, hypocritical, and completely useless human beings! Quick to make excuses but can't make a decision to save their lives. Oh...they loved pointing out problems but don't offer any solutions. In front of our business partners, they praised their collaboration and support, but in private team meetings afterwards, they ridicule our business partners. I have never seen an IT organization despising their business partners so much even though TTS projects are being funded by business. I highly doubt my experience is unique and I hope this round of layoff severely impact TTS Managers and above. If not, Target will not be successful. I love shopping at Target and don't want to see it fail!
11 replies (most recent on top)
I heard from a HR friend who was laid off that TTS was next - April, no firm dates. Good luck all.
Most the managers I had during my 10+ years in TTS were worthless.
I had 10 managers in a little over 10 years. Only 1 is still there, the rest left to pursue opportunities. If you hire poor leeaders you will get in this mess.
The last year gone from TTS has been wonderful! I have a great director to report to, who is more techinal then any of the managers I reported to at TGT.
My only question is who is hiring the managers and why are they still there. 10 years ago when I start the ARMs were rock stars... Now not so great. I left due to a lousy SGM, I had accepted the fact that IT managers were lousy... Then lost faith in the SGMs and that meant time to go. I have thank that price of $%&# SGM I reported to last, he brought me to the point were I refused to stay.
Leaving was best day of my working career!
I've got news for you…your reputation within Target doesn't mean SQUAT to Brian Cornell or Bain or anyone else involved in the "slash and burn" environment in which you now work. Happy for you and your great relationships with your teams…believe me, the 1700 people who were laid off a few weeks ago had "great relationships" and were "proud of the work their teams have done" too. But NONE of it matters when it comes to the layoffs. You seem like a thoughtful person - don't be deluded into to thinking you're going to survive because of reputation or results or challenges with other teams. It's a total crapshoot.
Trying to learn more about what's going on at Target. Please msg me at mtownsend9ATbloomberg.net
So, TTS doesn't have to make sure requirements are good before they move forward? Are you suggesting that TTS only do what they are told? If true, then TTS provides very little value. Target is better off hiring offshore resources to take notes.
I disagree with OPs comment, the main problem was business, they are not clear in what they want from TTS if you are not clear with your requirements what you get is a crap, which is what being delivered, when the TTS leader who has the guts to challenge/question business to provide a workable requirements, he/she is changed or the good ones figure out its not working and they themselves would move out. Since business was funding for most of the TTS projects, people who want to survive or worse grow up the ladder they suck it upto the business team. Now, that business teams are cleaned up (hopefully the bad ones), and the culture shift happening, you could clearly see whether or not TTS is the problem in a years time. If they are the part of the reason, obvious things would happen again, which is the layoffs. I suspect it would be the case. But one thing I would agree, there is too much of fat in managerial roles.
Whether TTS grows up to its glory days or not, one thing is certain, I don't want to be part of any of this uncertainties, just looking for a right opportunity to come by, ones I get it I will be moving out.
Yup, have to agree with 87744. Oldsters and kids, what your backs
Hate to break it to you but talent, performance, and hard work is meaningless. If you make too much, have a lot of time in position (read: old), or have low time in position (read: young to balance the older aged layoffees to avoid a lawsuit), you're probably gone. Best wishes to all!
See the things about the whole situation is get it done with quickly, dragging it every month is not helping target or its employees, if at all anything people work with fear which is not going to help deliver anything at all, or busy searching, To me this approach is going to make future employees run from target. That is really dumb thing to do, get it done already.
Blanket statements are a problem. I am a manager in TTS and worked my tail off to get to my role and have a great relationship with my business partners. I am proud of the work my team has done and continues to do in spite of the mass chaos around us. That being said, there are definitely areas that can be trimmed, consolidated, etc. Frankly, my biggest challenges have been with other TTS teams, not my business partners. Selfishly, I hope it is not my area. But, if it is, I will survive. I believe I have built a solid enough of a reputation in and out of TTS to help carry me to whatever my future is.
Same experience, specifically kmgs and above. Had 6 of them in 3 years. Had one brag she had been in over 20 different roles in 15+ years...like that was actually a good thing. Made my mind up about Target when she was promoted.