Really! You had to let CB go? One of the brightest at Follett.
26 replies (most recent on top)
Human Behavior 101: People perform to the levels of expectations. The current leadership and "We Rule" people think of everyone else working is what?
IT execution IS terrible. But based on the comment by Anonymous34120, there is only mediocre and desperate employees left, expectations should be very low throughout the company and departments.
Like the current way things are being run now you read what you wanted to hear so you were not accountable and ignored the meaning (truth) in the message. You are going to argue with "The objectives are handed down by upper management. If the objectives are flawed, the results will be flawed". Please what is your thesis going to be much less your outline?
Actually just read the post just below this one. Half assed employees who don't give a damn. That explains it all.
Yadada - IT is horrible at Follett. There is no communication other than a nod of the head to the ridiculous pompous people who enjoy to hear themselves talk. We take our paychecks, hope for our severance check or that our last interview went well, we have learned to lie to management just like management lies to us. So who gets the last laugh.
"Follett employees are responsible for the results of its company and department."
Actually 33841, employees are responsible for carrying out the objectives & demands of the company & department. The objectives are handed down by upper management. If the objectives are flawed, the results will be flawed.
What projects would those be?
There are lots of exciting projects that are being designed and coded in McHenry. From my perspective IT is better today than it was 1 year ago.
IT has transformed? As in 'trans'continental dodgy work from across the ocean. Not many left doing actual IT work unless you consider writing docs, emails, taking phone calls, second level trouble shooing the bugs and testing as IT? Change for the better is possible? Well so is the next generation living on moon, from where I am sitting it has the percentages. Biding our time waiting for severance and most of us wish they would hurry up about it. Let me clue you in we're all laughing and chuckling after we leave the meetings.
Your perspective is definitely a extremely minority opinion of people working in IT.
re 30932, Wednesday 08/27/14 14:09:57 UTC
The meaning is fairly clear; management knows that if you're still here you're likely not a great candidate for jobs outside Follett (or you lack the initiative or common sense to get a promising job). As such, you're suspect. You will be hounded and written up at every opportunity. They will fire you. You will receive no severance. stay at your own peril.
What is interesting is that all the talk last year was outsourcing all of IT to India. There have been no IT layoffs in a while and in fact lots of promotions announced a month or so ago, directors and VP's. IT is the place to be.
Slowly getting rid of all Gary S knowledge and employees who learned the textbook business from Gary.
They seem to can people on the first Friday of the month. It's a pattern. Bet Oct 3 will be a doozy after BTS results. Very sorry about Chris. He was good.
A lot of this seems to be 'religion'. The new folks are totally focused on GM, and have some good ideas in that regard. Yet 70% of the business is course materials, that they seem to know very little about. A new administration is certainly entitled to try their 'new' ideas, and I'm all behind not neglecting GM in the pursuit of profitability. However, if you ignore the core 70% of our business, and make questionable decisions, results suffer. Sure, text is in decline, but that is still one of our strengths, and a cash cow. The new folks have the religion that GM should be the paramount focus, and any talk of text, or questions/concerns responsibly raised for consideration, are taken by the current administration as blasphemy, rather than salient, well-intended, feedback that deserves consideration. New ideas are needed by companies in changing industries, but practical considerations shouldn't be viewed as blasphemy in a 'you're either with us or against us' mentality, they should be given due diligence. Instead of viewing such a feedback as a threat to your dogma, you should give it due diligence. Those that ask good questions, seem to be viewed as a threat, even if they are asked with an open mind, a sense of responsibility, a non-critical tone, and a determination to help Follett succeed.
It is hard to get good results from people when there is a dark cloud always hanging over them. That gut feeling that you are next does not improve results or morale.
33841, you are totally ignorant of the workings of this company. I found the Follett employees to be some of the most loyal, hardworking, dedicated employees ever. And then the POWERS THAT BE starting laying them off and forcing them out.
Agree with 33847 HO included. Chris B really? Great employee; proves the theory "Follett employees are responsible for the results of its company and department." is erroneous.
- And Follett leadership has stifled those in the field for years. You comment is ignorant.
This leadership team is getting wiser. Layoffs in one and two's so it does not attract attention. Most importantly suck the knowledge and experience from the employee before the layoff. Although the lay offs will likely increase following the financial results from fall.
Follett employees are responsible for the results of its company and department.
Layoffs/firing/forced retirements continues, employees retained support for legacy applications. MS Samsung Pearson all have made large investments in B&N. See previous speculations concerning overseas look into recent moves made by BK and look out for yourselves.
Losing either, and especially both, would be a great loss to the company. There is a lot of knowledge and talent in both these individuals. Chris is a sharp analytical guy, dedicated to success, who had proven his worth, and will certainly be missed by many, and the company as a whole. I fear that someone new has underestimated what Chris brings to the table. Chuck has a wealth of experience, wit, leadership, the respect of many, and far too much talent to waste. One could only conclude that the decisions fell to someone that does not know the value of these associates, or at least Chris B. I can only hope that rumor of such a fate awaiting/befalling Chuck is erroneous, and that this event would prompt reconsideration of how such decisions are being made. Follett needs folks like these, to adapt to a changing marketplace. These are the kind of people who propose and champion the new ideas that will help Follett succeed.
Chris B. But Chuck will probably be shown out too.
Chuck B?! I hope not...he was a good guy. Worked with him a lot before I was laid off.
Course materials CB?