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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/28/2009 : 12:41:07

Apparently my company just got bought out by a firm from the US.

I like it here. Its a family business and if my kid calls me with a scraped knee I can tell reception I'm running home, and there is no trouble. When the baby was born, the office sent a care package to my wife in the hospital, gifts to the baby shower, and hosted an after-work reception. They are an A-Class employer and I believe in them. When I started there were 50 of us working in 1 office here. Now there are 120 in 5 offices across the country. I like to think that I helped them grow.

I've been here about 4 years. I've gone from new grad to technical team leader (which means leading groups of 4-6 engineers on various projects), and I kinda like where I am now.

Now I have to call all my clients and tell them how excited I am to be working for a new company.

Cleaned up...

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - Prospector on 07/29/2009 07:18:14

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:18:02

Well on the upside now that you are going to work for a US employee you will be eligible for a H1B VISA in 1-2 years (good for 6 years, then green card). Hopefully your new employer could move you to some sunny state where you could be sailing year round.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 07/28/2009 13:18:29

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:22:17

Chris, I have never been in your situation before but we have all gone thru changes in our life in some form. All I can say is to keep a positive attitude. That really helps. If you go into this with a negative one, well you know the old adage of self-fulling prophecy.
This can be a good time for both you and the company or maybe not. Give it time for both you, fellow employees and the new owners. Everyone has to do some adjusting.
Be thankful you have a vacation, much less one coming up. Be thankful the new owners are not letting you or others go.
Change can be exciting, it can be what you want it to be. It might be the time for you to move on and re-evaluate your life. I know there are others on this site who went thru similar changes and hope they chime in. Just give it time and keep an open attitude. Best of luck.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 07/28/2009 13:24:00

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:44:27

Simple, you do your job to the best of your ability. Your job is to make money for the company, who ever that is, where ever they are.
If you do, you will be recognized by the people in the company 2000 km away and you won't even be aware of it, but they will be.
When I was in the USN, we got a new Captain. The ship I was on didn't go very far or very much and I loved it. He said, " I am a US Navy Captain and I want to take my boat out to sea.” He took us to Mazatlan Mexico for a week. Turned out to be the best Captain ever. Ya just never know.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 14:40:28

"Life is full of solutions brilliantly disguised as obstacles."

Keep a positive attitude and keep an eye out for other options as well.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 14:50:19

About 20 years ago I came to the realization that managers are not as interested in your point of view as much as they are in you supporting theirs. I was 35 at the time and had spent a lot of time voicing my opinion and pointing out to management their need to follow a smarter (my) path. One day, out of the blue, it occurred to me that if I supported my managers view he, in turn, would have a lot more respect for mine. I am now 55 and in the past 20 years, utilizing that philosophy, I have succeeded beyond anything I could have imagined. When in doubt I always remember that philosophy. Support your manager and the way he is trying to support the company's philosophy. When those decisions come up about who needs to leave and who needs to stay you will be in the latter group and his willingness to listen to your opinion will grow. Trust me, he is doing the same thing or he would not be a manager. You are still young. You will never be smarter or more opinionated. Take the advice of one who learned the hard way.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 15:38:09

Well, it could be worse. The funder for the program I've been with for the last 3 years decided not to fund us as of July 1st. No funder, no job. I worked at a not-for-profit, social services agency. Lots of time for sailing but, every time I'm on the boat my only thoughts are about how much the thing is costing. Kind takes the fun out of it. Keep your eyes peeled for a nice C250 in the swap meet.

Anybody looking to hire a training and development guy?

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 16:18:42

Try to imagine the culture shock when I came from owning my own business to being one of 18,000 that work for the County of San Diego. At least I'm 15 minutes from the boat and go sailing every day. We could be handed furloughs like Fridays off without pay on top of pay cuts.

I'd give the new company your best shot - big companies - big chances for recognition and promotion.

If you're not happy in a year then reassess.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 16:32:20

Chris, you have one great advantage in this takeover that some in your firm don't have: You're part of the product--not part of the overhead. When the buyers bought the company, they were buying you. That's the place to be when the inevitable change comes along. And change is indeed inevitable.

There is no longer such a thing as a cradle-to-grave work environment. The people who make change work are the people who will succeed in the changing environment.

I like Joe's advice--it took me a while to figure that out, too. I'll add that you want to make your boss look good to his/her boss. Everyone wants somebody who does that for them, so the rare people who do, will always be in demand in an organization--or where the people in that organization go when they leave. That's not being an ass-kisser or a yes-man... it's being the person who, as I said, makes change work.

Grab the bull's horns and have a great ride!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/28/2009 16:35:41

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 19:20:48

Chris
Nice to see they aren't pruning . . .

Keep your eye on "senior staff" and support them. What tends to happen when a company becomes larger is that in order to manage the diversity of voices, a small group of senior people become the decision-makers and collaborate, or sometimes compete (or both).

Make one or two of these folks in your local facility your "stars", and then hold on tight - support them and make yourself valuable to them (as Dave puts it, you are part of the product, so promote your brand and your value proposition)

I started out as an EE doing projects, and over time, I specialized in systems design (supporting sales) and trouble-shooting existing systems whenever customers changed the scope of their workflow or updated software. There is always a demand for new systems, and fixing existing ones.

Funny, several jobs ago, my office was in Stamford Connecticut, but the head office was in Milton Ontario. Here I was "a yank working for a bunch of hosers from north of the border", so I got to like Hockey and Canadian Rules Football.

We became good friends, and I still get together with many of them whenever I visit Toronto or go to trade shows, and they are some of the greatest people I've worked with.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2009 : 20:27:41

John Russell,
click on the attached link and then job postings. The Ladies' Hermitage Association (operates The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson) is looking for a chief development officer.
(both of Nashville's lakes are close by!)

http://www.cnm.org/

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/28/2009 20:28:29

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 07:14:58

Chuck loves country music (I support her, but I should really get her checked out - there must be something wrong with her) - anyway, this morning these lyrics jumped out of a song at me... (had to google them)

Yeah, life throws you curves
But you learn to swerve.

Reading the rest of the song it doesn't have much to do with me, but this is fitting. I think I'll adopt it as a motto for the next little bit. And yes, I am fortunate to have a job when so many don't, and I'm fortunate to have avoided much of the impact of this recession.

The advice here is well appreciated.

John, I wish I could help you, but anything I am aware of would be on the wrong side of the border.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 07:21:46

Prospector, Welcome to the world of global commerce and congratulations on becoming self-employed. Oh, I know that you are still employed by the new owners of your company, but you need to start thinking of yourself as your own "profit center". As other posters have suggested, it is a fact of modern corporate life to follow your managers lead, play the corporate game and indulge in office politics. However, none of this will guarentee your advancement or long term employment. You must consider yourself self-employed. Update your resume and circulate it(carefully)to test the waters. Actively network among friends and professional acquaintances (remember clients can become employers). Most importantly increase your savings. I know that it is hard to do, but it is better to be frugal with extras when you have discretionary funds than it is to skimp on necessities during hard times or to be forced to make bad long term decisions because of short term needs. In other words, be your own man. By all means, work hard for your new employer but concentrate on your independence and your bottom line. Company strategies shift as rapidly as the wind and you have to be prepared to tack, reef or drop sail at a moments notice. So, just like when you are sailing, keep a firm hand on the tiller and a sharp weather eye. The sea is indifferent to your plight. The only one you can count on is you.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 07:23:25

Thanks, guys. Unfortunately, "Chief Development Officer" in the world of non-profits typically translates "Head guy that goes out and asks people for money". I do staff development (as in those training days everybody loves) Besides, after 23 years in the military, I'm never moving again! Although, the lakes around Nashvile (a beautiful city) are very tempting.

Chris, I just thought you should know, there are 2 kinds of music in the world Country AND Western.

Edited by - John Russell on 07/29/2009 07:27:58

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 07:32:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 ...there are 2 kinds of music in the world Country AND Western.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, actually there are several others--I won't comment further.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 09:22:47

Renzo, well said.

Chris, sorry to hear about your dilemma, I've started a couple of responses to this and deleted them. While I've never gone through a buy out from the buyee's point of view, I've worked with a bunch of them once they became part of the purchaser's company, in my case, Microsoft. I noticed that they sort of fell into two categories, those who formed a clique amongst themselves and were never very gruntled. Most of these guys seemed to drift off into other pursuits within a year or so of absorption. Others flourished in the new environment. These were the guys who made a point of making new acquaintances, socializing, increasing their networks, being responsive to questions about their company, procedures, whatever, generally being helpful & cheerful. That said, one of the most valuable lessons I learned at MSFT was at the expense of my job and that is: when you feel it's time to leave, it's almost certainly long past time to leave, so leave. I won't go into specifics, but a decision made three years earlier to stay around till a version of Windows shipped, which then slipped it's ship date for nearly a year, would severely impact my life years later.

In the four years since that lay off, I've had three "real" jobs, and my barely off the ground woodworking business make four. Of the four, the business has been the most fun, but the least profitable by a large margin. The last job, again at MSFT, began this past February (after being laid off again from an engineering company) only lasted three months. I never planned to quit that job, but the environment was so bad that it was affecting my health, so after thinking about it for a couple of months (out of a total of three), I quit, not knowing what I was going to do next. We have a decent amount of money put away, but not enough to actually retire on, and really, not enough to open a business, but we tried (and will continue to try).

Economic reality has set in, and I've been offered a contract job that pays more than any other job I've ever held, plus it looks to be fun (it's not MSFT). Rita's learned how to use the lathe, and will keep the business idling along. The contract is only 6-9 months long with the possibility of full time, but that'll let us get far ahead on our bills, buy a much nicer lathe (I've learned the limitations of my Grizzly and want more), and have a nice kitty to work from as we go forward.

I guess I've learned to swerve as well.

And FWIW, I used to be a bouncer in a C&W bar about 30 years ago, nowadays I have almost no use for it. I'm more of an old rock, jazz & blues kind of guy now. Things change.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 10:44:08

My brother's first company - Volkswagen of America, went out of business. His second, third, and fourth companies - James River Paper Co, Farmore Corp, and Mack Trucks all changed hands. His fifth company cut their management by 2/3ds. He now works for Kitchenaid as their personnel manager and hoping to make it to retirement without having to change jobs again. His backup is a CDL license he got two years ago.....between Mack and his present position.

Good luck in your career.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 13:06:56

I'm a health care provider. I'm not worried about my job, just whether or not I'll get paid for my services in the future. So it's a little different scenario for me.
I can always wax boats (off the books) and ride the welfare train.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 13:58:40

You got some pretty sage advice from the old salts who've known the ropes!

In one 5 year-long job I had, I helped build up a small company that more than doubled in size and profits with new services and products, then when the focus changed, there were 3 rounds of 49% layoffs to fit the new business model.

The tips about one's attitude are smart. And the tips about preparing yourself for a possible shift in company strategy are important, too.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 15:04:05

All good advice...I'd like to third Renzo's comment - you are your own product. Everything you do is a marketing decision, choose wisely.

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2009 : 17:38:15

The key word is opportunity; without change and opportunity you cannot grow. Give your new management a fair chance. Hopefully they will recognize the value of the workforce it has had the fortune to acquire. If not, then its time to make some decisions. Meanwhile, focus on what's important - your family. Enjoy your holiday, be thankful for your good fortunes and don't even think about work until you are back in the office.

And recheck your boat's systems a few days before heading off. I spent several days this spring working on lights, etc. but when the admiral and I tried to head out this past weekend for our first weekend getaway this summer (its been a hectic year)....no lights. Aaarrrggghhh!

(I edited my original posting - it was largely irrelevant.)

Edited by - glivs on 07/30/2009 03:55:56

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2009 : 21:26:40

I've got to agree with David (delliottG), I never had more fun, nor was paid better than when I went into contract consulting. The trick was to network with key members of the industry before doing so.

My last consulting gig went permanent (5+ years ago) when they figured out they could save money.

Since then, I've joined a networking site called Linked In (www.linkedin.com), which I use just in case I decide to go freelance again. You never know. If you join, you'll probably find a number of your colleagues are already members.

Edited by - on

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