How to Handle Re-organizing, Re-structuring, or Strategic Decision???

(Wrote on Monday 24th November 2015)

Sitting at Lord Venkateswara feet, in the Temple town was browsing thru the FB posts today morning and came across a couple of articles that made me put my thoughts on one topic: online Start-ups bubble.

The words Re- organization, Re-structuring, Strategic Decisions- these used to be scary words while in US, working with a start-up. They meant only one thing - I may be laid off due to one or all of the above. I survived 6 such changes in 7 years to move into IBM when the start-up was acquired by the BIG Blue. On the last day when the decision was made to announce the acquisition and let 50% of the employees go, I was called by our Vice President. I called my wife and told her I will hand over the company phone, pick up kids, go home and call her. The good news was my VP retained me because I was having a strength that was lacking in the team that was moving to IBM, and hence I went to IBM. I will stop here with a positive ending as this is not this write up is about.

Why I remembered this incident is that I see the start-ups that are popping up in food delivery and on-line retail space like mushrooms are withering away quite fast, laying off people. These are companies that are made of people IP than any other product IP. However the expectations of the employees (people) working either in start-ups or MNCs, is completely wrong that they are permanent employees of the company. They are just full time employees as long as the company wish they are useful for them. What any employee working must do is sharpen their skills, enhance their resume to reflect your contributions, and keep an updated resume as you don’t know when the train of re-org is coming your way.

A couple of my experiences in this regard are; the first one on how the employee must be prepared for any eventuality and the second one is how a company can handle it better.

One of my colleague and a good friend in US – used to tell me, every time there is changes coming thru and we are discussing with our theories of what will happen (we were never right in predicting) “think you are a consultant that will be let go one day- keep your desk clean and laptop without personal stuff so that you can walk away”. In my mind this is a better way to be prepared than going thru a shock.

The second one is : I saw many that were let go for the first time in the company history of an MNC in May 2009. The company prepared well all of us, the manager of managers, and leadership. The way employees took the news is very welcome as the prep work was well done. Second day of the layoffs one of the skip level employee made a comment that “the way it was handled was very bad” I asked her to go check with the people and then come back to me. After a week she came back and said “wish I was there”. A few I know were already looking or had offers in hand and when laid-off. They have a gift for them to put a down payment for apartment or buy a car. What the take away is embrace the decision taken by company as you are not part of that- people at top know what they are doing.

India is experiencing what western world has gone thru already. We learn from them or we reinvent the wheel for both employees and the companies. I believe the employees in first place must know a job is not permanent for so many reasons:

1. As an employee, if you stay in same company you become useless after a few years. Embrace change and look for adventurous new opportunities that will provide an chance to learn latest technologies
2. Be always prepared as companies don’t love you when you stop being effective. When the company pays you a salary they expect at least 4-5 times more in terms of business. Simple math - makes sense??? Always check if you are helping the bottom line of the company or not?
3. Career making is a snakes and ladders game: you have to side step, step down to eventually be at top. As long as you know that you are never in shock.
4. Companies must encourage in India to use Individual Contributors more so the social stigma associated with IC roles in India is gone; meaning keeping the salary of the IC same, providing an indirect influencer role to work across teams, and use them in right way to show case the value they bring to table. As an employee be prepared to embrace this IC role without hesitation.
5. One major word of caution – don’t live EMI life- buying everything with EMIs. India is still evolving in finance sector to create credit checks and holding one accountable for the EMI payments. Stay frugal like our parents taught us and save than being a spend thrift. This changed quite a lot in last 5 years still have enough savings for a rainy day
6. Don’t succumb to peer pressure of un wanted spending on cars, vacations, and anything that you cannot afford as others have these

I strongly recommend every employee working in any IT and Product companies that are susceptible to market place effects – upgrade, upgrade and upgrade your talent but not your phones, cars, and TVs. You will be successful in your career and will be happy person so you can enjoy the life with family.

(Picture taken from Fortune Grand Ridge Hotel in Aug 2014- Tirumala Hills During sunset)