Sen. Kerry has been quoted in the news lately saying harsh things about business leaders who are shipping jobs overseas - where the work can get done cheaper - while their own compensation levels remain obscenely high. Anti-Kerry forces have enjoyed pointing to the numerous offshore operations of his wife's Ketchup plants. I think this level of discourse in unbecoming. It also misses an important point.
Any manager at any level has two priorities these days: Cut costs, and maximize personal reward. The first they do for the company, the latter is for the self. It is the nature of the beast. Outsourcing/ offshoring is merely a smart way to do business. Just like hiring young energetic people for $36K is smarter than hiring a fat old guy for $90 or $100k - if the job can be done cheaper, it just makes good business sense.
Besides, according to this week's Business Week, the real culprit is NOT offshoring jobs. No friends the real cause of lost jobs is productivity. After all these years, all the investment in process improvement is paying off. The BW article says about 300,000 jobs went overseas but 2. 5 million jobs have been simply eliminated by better technology.
This makes a lot of sense. Look at all the clerical and support jobs that have been obsoleted by improvements in telephony, web self service, bar coding, word processing, spreadsheets. And aren't the job losses a bit inflated by all those Y2K COBOL experts who were living large during the Millenium scare.
So, let's not castigate CEO's for being not being patriotic. It is un-american to criticize greed and self interest. Especially if you are sitting on a fortune built on cheap ketchup labor.
3/22/2004
3/19/2004
Cannot Understand Why I'm Not Rich
The cleaners come every two weeks. I make it my policy to get out of their way. So, generally I find myself at the Wellesley Free Library periodical room, which is a great inexpensive way to catch up on the latest issue of HBR, Business Week, Computerworld and other items of interest.
I have noticed that there are very few Victoria Secrets models in the periodical room. In fact, I rarely find any attractive females. Moreover the median age of people in the periodical room is about 55, so the guys are not that attractive either.
Not that I have time for such friviolities as ranking the attractivness of my fellow library patrons. I am busy with my research.
One of the mysteries that has always puzzled me is why I am not rich. Every time I pick up a newspaper or magazine, everytime I watch TV, even just sitting in a coffee shop watching the cars go by, I see people who are rich. These people do not typically seem to be smarter, better looking or talented than I , yet they are driving nice Mercedes autos, showing off the new pool, or wearing outfits that probably cost more than I spend on beer in a year.
I suppose I could be wealthier if I had a job. But, strangely I seem not to be in the cohort that appears on the most-wanted-list of potential employers. If I were a hiring manager, I would be looking for people like me: mature, well fed, good sense of humor, willing to show up most of the time, expert in my field - that sort of thing. Ok, some of my former bosses have deemed me an "insubordinate bleeptard", but I call them "micromanaging nitpickers" so, I guess we are even on that score. Anyway, it still seems funny that so many Captains of Industry have opted to set sail without someone like me aboard as moral compass, First Mate, or even as deckhand. Hey, is that an Iceberg ahead? Ha ha I'm just keeding.
I learned something important today. I decided to grab a bagel and coffee. I parked at a meter and put a quarter in for 60 minutes. I had another quarter, but how long would it take to eat a bagel and drink a medium coffee? One quarter would do it. Then I decided that since I had 60 minutes on the meter, I would bring a book to read. Long story short: I got back to the car 63 minutes later. The meter vulture must have been waiting for it to get to zero. I have a $10 parking ticket. Now, I am decidedly less rich that I was when I started, all because of some over eager Meter Maid, probably fat and ugly too. So the lesson is: Some jobs shouldn't be done so efficiently.
I have noticed that there are very few Victoria Secrets models in the periodical room. In fact, I rarely find any attractive females. Moreover the median age of people in the periodical room is about 55, so the guys are not that attractive either.
Not that I have time for such friviolities as ranking the attractivness of my fellow library patrons. I am busy with my research.
One of the mysteries that has always puzzled me is why I am not rich. Every time I pick up a newspaper or magazine, everytime I watch TV, even just sitting in a coffee shop watching the cars go by, I see people who are rich. These people do not typically seem to be smarter, better looking or talented than I , yet they are driving nice Mercedes autos, showing off the new pool, or wearing outfits that probably cost more than I spend on beer in a year.
I suppose I could be wealthier if I had a job. But, strangely I seem not to be in the cohort that appears on the most-wanted-list of potential employers. If I were a hiring manager, I would be looking for people like me: mature, well fed, good sense of humor, willing to show up most of the time, expert in my field - that sort of thing. Ok, some of my former bosses have deemed me an "insubordinate bleeptard", but I call them "micromanaging nitpickers" so, I guess we are even on that score. Anyway, it still seems funny that so many Captains of Industry have opted to set sail without someone like me aboard as moral compass, First Mate, or even as deckhand. Hey, is that an Iceberg ahead? Ha ha I'm just keeding.
I learned something important today. I decided to grab a bagel and coffee. I parked at a meter and put a quarter in for 60 minutes. I had another quarter, but how long would it take to eat a bagel and drink a medium coffee? One quarter would do it. Then I decided that since I had 60 minutes on the meter, I would bring a book to read. Long story short: I got back to the car 63 minutes later. The meter vulture must have been waiting for it to get to zero. I have a $10 parking ticket. Now, I am decidedly less rich that I was when I started, all because of some over eager Meter Maid, probably fat and ugly too. So the lesson is: Some jobs shouldn't be done so efficiently.
3/18/2004
Panic's Over
Day after St Patty's Day. We managed to observe the holiday the way we almost always have: guzzling beer, gorging on corned beef and cabbage, and sipping a wee dram or two of Jameson's.
The threatened storm came and went. Nowhere near the ferocity or depth that was predicted by fear-mongering weather/news people. A annoyed populace was able to dig-out so they could get to work. Many were no doubt hung over from extended pre-celebratory get togethers. And a hair of the dog might have seemed just the thing for lunch.
Have you noticed that when you see a vehicle spun out in a snowstorm, invariably it is an SUV? Does driving a big gas guzzler affect the drivers' judgment, or were they boobs to start with? Meteorological questions, I guess.
Note to self: Vinny T's is practically deserted at lunchtime on St Patty's Day, and they are proud not to serve corned beef. Their tip o' the hat to the green on the daily specials was the pesto chicken, or the chicken stuffed with asparagus. The pubs were no doubt mobbed to suffocation. I didn't check.
After 4 beers, the others went on to another bar where they could get black and tans. I wimped out, knowing that we were going out for a dinner of gourmet corned beef.
When I got home there was a message from a potential employer. They wanted to talk to me about a job I had applied for. Data Services Manager. Hey, that seemed pretty exciting. But, I decided to wait until the 4 beers I had for lunch wore-off before calling back. Good judgment. (I make it a firm rule to be sober when participating in telephone job interviews.)
This morning, refreshed and bushy tailed, I called back. It was a pleasant conversation with a recruiter who sounded interested, until we identified that the job required operational data warehouse management experience in a financial service company. Now, I have had significant experience mucking around in data, specifying ETL processes and designing reports for executives - cripes I even understand multidimensional OLAP cubes. But, as we talked, the stifling truth began to emerge. I am not the right person to administer a beancounter data warehouse. Especially when they want an experienced DW pro.
Well, the day was not a total loss. I went to the New England flower show. It was a nice blast of spring on a cold winter day. I notice they had an equal amount of space set aside for commercial booths as they had for horticultural exhibits. The Parking fee $12 was a rip-off on top of the $17 admissions fee. It's cheaper to go to a Red Sox game, almost.
The threatened storm came and went. Nowhere near the ferocity or depth that was predicted by fear-mongering weather/news people. A annoyed populace was able to dig-out so they could get to work. Many were no doubt hung over from extended pre-celebratory get togethers. And a hair of the dog might have seemed just the thing for lunch.
Have you noticed that when you see a vehicle spun out in a snowstorm, invariably it is an SUV? Does driving a big gas guzzler affect the drivers' judgment, or were they boobs to start with? Meteorological questions, I guess.
Note to self: Vinny T's is practically deserted at lunchtime on St Patty's Day, and they are proud not to serve corned beef. Their tip o' the hat to the green on the daily specials was the pesto chicken, or the chicken stuffed with asparagus. The pubs were no doubt mobbed to suffocation. I didn't check.
After 4 beers, the others went on to another bar where they could get black and tans. I wimped out, knowing that we were going out for a dinner of gourmet corned beef.
When I got home there was a message from a potential employer. They wanted to talk to me about a job I had applied for. Data Services Manager. Hey, that seemed pretty exciting. But, I decided to wait until the 4 beers I had for lunch wore-off before calling back. Good judgment. (I make it a firm rule to be sober when participating in telephone job interviews.)
This morning, refreshed and bushy tailed, I called back. It was a pleasant conversation with a recruiter who sounded interested, until we identified that the job required operational data warehouse management experience in a financial service company. Now, I have had significant experience mucking around in data, specifying ETL processes and designing reports for executives - cripes I even understand multidimensional OLAP cubes. But, as we talked, the stifling truth began to emerge. I am not the right person to administer a beancounter data warehouse. Especially when they want an experienced DW pro.
Well, the day was not a total loss. I went to the New England flower show. It was a nice blast of spring on a cold winter day. I notice they had an equal amount of space set aside for commercial booths as they had for horticultural exhibits. The Parking fee $12 was a rip-off on top of the $17 admissions fee. It's cheaper to go to a Red Sox game, almost.
3/16/2004
SnowStorm!
Somebody help us. We can't talk about anything but snow.
It's like being in a Stephen King movie and feeling the universal dread for the unspeakable horror of a late season Northeaster. Heavens to Mergatroid! How will we survive? It could be up to eight inches of murderous snow, strangling us with Nature's cold and clammy claws. Supermarkets are mobbed with people getting bread and milk and batteries. I'm getting a bit panicky myself - I am low on Dewar's. Be right back....
It's like being in a Stephen King movie and feeling the universal dread for the unspeakable horror of a late season Northeaster. Heavens to Mergatroid! How will we survive? It could be up to eight inches of murderous snow, strangling us with Nature's cold and clammy claws. Supermarkets are mobbed with people getting bread and milk and batteries. I'm getting a bit panicky myself - I am low on Dewar's. Be right back....
3/15/2004
Beware the Ides of March
The umpteenth anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar if you believe in the historical accuracy of Shakespeare. One month before tax deadline. Ten months into my underemployment
Actually, since I've been off the paid unemployment rolls, I have started referring to my situation as "forced early retirement" as opposed to "sabbatical". This choice of words seems to more accurately convey my sense that the festive part of the haitus has turned into a grudging resignation that the prospects of re-employment in my field at the same pay level as the job I left are not imminent.
My optimism about a jobfull economic recovery has been replaced by a sense of je ne sais pas. I am still confident that the growth cycle will happen - eventually. I just do not know the time frame. I am not depressed, just more cynical and pessimistic than normal. Shrinks say that cynics are more in touch with reality. Isn't that a good thing?
Et tu, Greenspan?
Actually, since I've been off the paid unemployment rolls, I have started referring to my situation as "forced early retirement" as opposed to "sabbatical". This choice of words seems to more accurately convey my sense that the festive part of the haitus has turned into a grudging resignation that the prospects of re-employment in my field at the same pay level as the job I left are not imminent.
My optimism about a jobfull economic recovery has been replaced by a sense of je ne sais pas. I am still confident that the growth cycle will happen - eventually. I just do not know the time frame. I am not depressed, just more cynical and pessimistic than normal. Shrinks say that cynics are more in touch with reality. Isn't that a good thing?
Et tu, Greenspan?
3/12/2004
Gimmee Shelter
I heard that there is a proposal in Congress to extend unemployment benefits to those of us poor shmucks who just fell of the rolls. I think the number was 390,000 people who don't get counted as "unemployed." Ironically, this makes the job statistics look better. I can hear Bush saying to his staff "Hey, unemployment is down! Let's invade France."
After two days of dramatic stock market losses, I see a huge setback. The Terrorists can blow up trains in Spain and cause the drop in confidence here. That translates to slower job growth.
It's making me nervous. I'd feel a lot better is that old unemployment check was still coming in. Zero per week is a lot less than $500. Write your congressman and support the extension. Don't let them force me to give up my bad habits (or switch to cheaper brands.) Thank you.
After two days of dramatic stock market losses, I see a huge setback. The Terrorists can blow up trains in Spain and cause the drop in confidence here. That translates to slower job growth.
It's making me nervous. I'd feel a lot better is that old unemployment check was still coming in. Zero per week is a lot less than $500. Write your congressman and support the extension. Don't let them force me to give up my bad habits (or switch to cheaper brands.) Thank you.
3/05/2004
Say it Ain't so, Martha
Breaking news: Martha Stewart's job will be vacant for a soon-to-be-specified period, whilst the Diva lends her design skills to the License Plate stamping division at the federal hoosgow. Martha, you should have testified. Juries these days assume you are guilty if you don't testify on your own behalf.
Still, if all the people who took tips and lied about it were tried and sentenced there would be a lot of company for Martha. This could open up a lot of positions for talented honest men and women.
I don't think the rest of us are served by having Ms Stewart go to jail; let's just fine the heck out of her ass! That would be a good message...
I heard that Mitt Romney our current Governor wants to cut unemployment benefits, rather than cut government worker pay raises. Thus, he joins the ranks of the bad guys, in the eyes of this blog Hey, Mitt, cut Bulger's retirement package! Leave the victims alone and go after the fat cat sleazeballs who are squeezing the life out of this state's once-healthy economy.
Still, if all the people who took tips and lied about it were tried and sentenced there would be a lot of company for Martha. This could open up a lot of positions for talented honest men and women.
I don't think the rest of us are served by having Ms Stewart go to jail; let's just fine the heck out of her ass! That would be a good message...
I heard that Mitt Romney our current Governor wants to cut unemployment benefits, rather than cut government worker pay raises. Thus, he joins the ranks of the bad guys, in the eyes of this blog Hey, Mitt, cut Bulger's retirement package! Leave the victims alone and go after the fat cat sleazeballs who are squeezing the life out of this state's once-healthy economy.
3/04/2004
Outsource This!
I read in the paper this morning that they are splitting Eisner's job at Disney into two separate positions! This could signal a trend back to the old, inefficient days - when people only had one job to do. Since the collapse of the economy in late 2000, the trend in business has been to shrink the payroll. The remaining workers have been asked to assume the responsibilities of their former colleagues, often without increased remuneration. This is probably part of the reason that two thirds of the current workforce says they are "dissatisfied" on surveys.
So, maybe some leaders have figured-out that the old model of separating duties and responsibilities is better in the long run.
My observation is that Super Star performers in business do not value the strength of teams, and their ego-driven effectiveness is often short lived. The best quarterbacks in the NFL know that they will not complete a single pass unless the offensive line protects them. They are less prone to think of team members as mere interchangable parts or boxes on an org chart. Maybe more business executives should watch more football.
There was an article in yesterday's WSJ which alluded to cases where certain outsourcing efforts had proved to be a failure. The problem is with outsourcing jobs that cannot be reduced to an assembly line operation or script. They are finding that in areas such as Customer Service and other work that involves relationship management or ad hoc decisions, the offshore outsourcing model fails.
This seems like good news to those of us with softer skills, whose potential value to an organization resides in the accrued experiences, charm and wit.
So, maybe some leaders have figured-out that the old model of separating duties and responsibilities is better in the long run.
My observation is that Super Star performers in business do not value the strength of teams, and their ego-driven effectiveness is often short lived. The best quarterbacks in the NFL know that they will not complete a single pass unless the offensive line protects them. They are less prone to think of team members as mere interchangable parts or boxes on an org chart. Maybe more business executives should watch more football.
There was an article in yesterday's WSJ which alluded to cases where certain outsourcing efforts had proved to be a failure. The problem is with outsourcing jobs that cannot be reduced to an assembly line operation or script. They are finding that in areas such as Customer Service and other work that involves relationship management or ad hoc decisions, the offshore outsourcing model fails.
This seems like good news to those of us with softer skills, whose potential value to an organization resides in the accrued experiences, charm and wit.
3/03/2004
Job Abandonment
Yesterday the temp was close to 65 degrees. The forecasted rain and clouds burnt off before noon and the outdoors yanked me from the house, made me take a long unhurried walk followed by some recreational raking up of fallen pine cones. The ground in the back yard is still too soggy to work on, but in front, where the drainage is better, I was able to loosen up some stiff muscles with the rake.
My friend George came by for high "tea" - as we call it. Actually, we finished off the remaining Harpoon Irish red ales. Poured into frosty glasses. Very Refreshing. We discussed the political scene. It was primary voting day here in Kerry's homestate (I voted unenthusiastically for Edwards - mainly as a protest to Senator Kerry, who had not shown-up for work until yesterday (to grand-stand for the ban against assault rifles).
I am annoyed by the spate of local politicians who run for office, get elected and then abandon their posts, because they are more interested in other jobs. ( eg, Gov. Weld, his successor Celluci, and recently - a state senator who quit to become a lesbian activist). How come these folks don't think their jobs are important enough to stay in? Job abandonment should be punished.
This morning there was a picture in the paper that showed a local voting place with a big sign that read "Vote Aqui" under the "Vote Here" lettering. You mean some of the voters don't speak the language???
It reminded me that we should tighten up our restrictions on voting in this country. You know, just establish a few common sense rules about who is allowed to vote: 1) Citizens only 2) Must read and understand English 3) Must be able to vote alone in booth. 4) No inmates or convicted felons. I would also abolish absentee ballots except for Military personnel. Also I would move Voting times to weekends, and while we're at it, let's hire living people to work at the polls. Looking at the death-warmed-over gang who run elections gives me the shivers.
Other than this, I have no strong feelings on the matter.
My friend George came by for high "tea" - as we call it. Actually, we finished off the remaining Harpoon Irish red ales. Poured into frosty glasses. Very Refreshing. We discussed the political scene. It was primary voting day here in Kerry's homestate (I voted unenthusiastically for Edwards - mainly as a protest to Senator Kerry, who had not shown-up for work until yesterday (to grand-stand for the ban against assault rifles).
I am annoyed by the spate of local politicians who run for office, get elected and then abandon their posts, because they are more interested in other jobs. ( eg, Gov. Weld, his successor Celluci, and recently - a state senator who quit to become a lesbian activist). How come these folks don't think their jobs are important enough to stay in? Job abandonment should be punished.
This morning there was a picture in the paper that showed a local voting place with a big sign that read "Vote Aqui" under the "Vote Here" lettering. You mean some of the voters don't speak the language???
It reminded me that we should tighten up our restrictions on voting in this country. You know, just establish a few common sense rules about who is allowed to vote: 1) Citizens only 2) Must read and understand English 3) Must be able to vote alone in booth. 4) No inmates or convicted felons. I would also abolish absentee ballots except for Military personnel. Also I would move Voting times to weekends, and while we're at it, let's hire living people to work at the polls. Looking at the death-warmed-over gang who run elections gives me the shivers.
Other than this, I have no strong feelings on the matter.
3/01/2004
Suddenly Spring
It was 50 degrees today in the Boston area. March has come in like a furry little lamb. I washed and waxed the Caravan. I went to the fire station to get my burning permit, I got the propane tank for the gas grill filled. I got my outdoor chair out of winter storage in the shed and sat in the warmth of the sun, smoking a cigar and sipping on a Harpoon Irish red ale.
As I surveyed my kingdom, my thoughts of job hunting have been elbowed-out by thoughts about what I need to do in the yard and garden. Tomato seeds need to be started. The fence needs work. There is painting to be done on the west side of the house.
Life as an unemployed systems analyst suddenly seems really good.
As I surveyed my kingdom, my thoughts of job hunting have been elbowed-out by thoughts about what I need to do in the yard and garden. Tomato seeds need to be started. The fence needs work. There is painting to be done on the west side of the house.
Life as an unemployed systems analyst suddenly seems really good.
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