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July 25, 2005
Retrenchment - some background to my story
I am working (can i still say so?) in a very people-oriented company. My boss, who had to bring me the news about my job being outsourced, his first thinking is around people. In anything.
So he tries to help me. I only have to leave by the end of this financial year, which is end-September. The company will pay for training that takes place in October and November. They offer outplacement services, and I will get some compensation for the time that I worked in the company.
This is great for me, of course.
Everybody was sad. I mean, come on, I was 5 years in the firm, and saw the firm growing. When I started to work with them, back in February 2000, I was one of three employees that started the same day. And we were employees number 4, 5, and 6. Now, in the meantime, the company's headcount stands at 25. Great growth and I was part of it. In research, in business development and client servicing. Some of the best clients came through initiatives from my side (may I blow my horn?), but may be I didn't do enough of this good stuff in the end - more clients would have been better, probably. But then, it just wasn't my function but something aside.
Many of those that joined after me are still around. Those that left have stayed in touch with those left behind. A people-oriented company fosters such behaviour, no doubt about this.
It is sad that I cannot stay and that the job function is outsourced to a market research company in India. This is not to say that I doubt their abilities, but I think I am pretty good in what I am doing. I am the best in the region, when it comes to finding information and making sense out of it! The problem of course is that if senior management doesn't see it (have I made myself heard, loud enough - did I lose my track in the end?) or business demands change, something got to give.
I am sad for my junior executive. I trained her up for 4 years. She will also get compensation, but it is hard on her. It was her first job, and she liked what she did. She is great in what she does, and she will miss the culture of this company - that is what she said. It was a shock for her, because it also was the first time, that she lost a job. I will try to find a new one for her, via my own contacts, and my boss is also helping.
Posted by Andreas at July 25, 2005 08:12 PM
Comments
I've been trying to comment for awhile now.
Why don't you set up a consultancy firm and hire your exec. I see a trend in companies outsourcing - and your retrenchment might be the best thing to happen to you.
Posted by: james at July 27, 2005 04:01 PM
I guess i have to compete with you in the market now.
Posted by: En. ting tong at July 27, 2005 01:29 PM
All the best, Andreas. Looking forward to reading what you're up to after this.
Posted by: Norzu at July 26, 2005 01:37 AM
Ahh you got your comments to work. I tried commenting earlier but it gave a weird error. Then I got caught up with work. I'm sorry to hear about the news, especially that it's being outsourced to another country. Hope your plan works out. The 'Why work hard' article a few post helped me a lot to think about my current situation. So thanks for that :)
Posted by: BawangMerah at July 25, 2005 11:50 PM
The underlying cause for job losses through out-sourcing or whatever is the increasing use of newer technology. Although cost efficiency is the primary reason for out-sourcing, this is not always the case e.g. out-sourcing to India, as in the case of the bank I worked for, is not cheaper than leaving the function here in Malaysia. There may be other reasons such as toeing the company policies, standardisation of procedures and processes and of course self-preservation of some of the powers-that-be. The worst experience for me is to be involved in the out-sourcing project which meant that I was actually working myself out of my job. However, take heart - you just need to be adaptable and I'm sure you will all reinvent yourself to cope with new challenges.
Posted by: lookingglass at July 25, 2005 10:51 PM
The underlying cause for job losses through out-sourcing or whatever is the increasing use of newer technology. Although cost efficiency is the primary reason for out-sourcing, this is not always the case e.g. out-sourcing to India, as in the case of the bank I worked for, is not cheaper than leaving the function here in Malaysia. There may be other reasons such as toeing the company policies, standardisation of procedures and processes and of course self-preservation of some of the powers-that-be. The worst experience for me is to be involved in the out-sourcing project which meant that I was actually working myself out of my job. However, take heart - you just need to be adaptable and I'm sure you will all reinvent yourself to cope with new challenges.
Posted by: lookingglass at July 25, 2005 10:50 PM
No worries.... Seriously, i've been in that position before and it has alwyas been a blessing in disguise....I just find that it's really a good time to reflect on the past present and future, strengths and weaknesses and what you're really made out to do in this world. I am sure you'll bounce back with a vengeance...
Posted by: TM Chu at July 25, 2005 10:00 PM
Any ideas what's next??? But you know what? I'm sure you'll come out strong. :)
Posted by: Mei at July 25, 2005 09:03 PM