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I worked for someone who had all of his managers and supervisors read that book.
I worked for someone who had all of his managers and supervisors read that book.
Friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer, between 2000 and 2010 worked for three companies that were acquired by Berkshire Hathaway after he hired on with them. Of course B-H always talked about how things would improve, and things weren't changing much blah, blah, blah. Each time he and many others were let go as part of "Improving the company" right about the middle of December. Always great news just before Christmas. After the 1st two times he was really down in the dumps when his 3rd company was acquired by B-H. In each case they assured anyone asking that such was not happening and right out of the blue with no warning their jobs were gone.
There are business reasons such things happen at the end of a year, and for not letting on that any such thing is about to happen. To humans working somewhere of course, there is probably no worse time to get such news.
Some are aware, but mostly words like Socialism are tossed out and flags are flown until talk of job securities fade.I wonder, are Americans aware that stuff like this only happens in the States? Most other countries have laws that don't allow these kinds of practices.
These laws aren't without inconvenients. Here at least (France, "real" programming), this means low productivity incompetents can continue without worries and that salaries are quite lower than in the states (even when considering the way higher taxes on stuff like fuel or VAT).I wonder, are Americans aware that stuff like this only happens in the States? Most other countries have laws that don't allow these kinds of practices.
Good. I've seen enough "PC police" officers being paid (sometimes outrageous salaries) to produce nothing of value.Among those fired was the company's diversity, equity and inclusion recruiting team.
Some years back, I was dating an ER physician. When we were at a social event with her physician colleagues, she introduced me as "Dr. Yaniger." When asked what my specialty was, I answered, "Physical chemistry." "Oh, so you're not actually a doctor." My response was, "True, unlike you, I had to do something original for my degree."This reminds me of my father (an MD) asserting that MDs were de facto scientists and causing a rather large family argument.
These laws aren't without inconvenients. Here at least (France, "real" programming), this means low productivity incompetents can continue without worries and that salaries are quite lower than in the states (even when considering the way higher taxes on stuff like fuel or VAT).
When you consider our very generous chômage (don't know the English equivalent) that takes a significative part of your salary but allows you up to 60% of your mean salary during the next N unemployed months (N being the time your worked, capped to 24), I'm not even sure it's needed.
I'd rather see some laws saying "to fire for economical reasons, no decision-making post must have more than 100+Y% of the fired employe's salaries" or so, to be sure that mass firing was actually necessary.
Good. I've seen enough "PC police" officers being paid (sometimes outrageous salaries) to produce nothing of value.
Some years back, I was dating an ER physician. When we were at a social event with her physician colleagues, she introduced me as "Dr. Yaniger." When asked what my specialty was, I answered, "Physical chemistry." "Oh, so you're not actually a doctor." My response was, "True, unlike you, I had to do something original for my degree."
Relationship didn't last long.
US financial year gets completed by Oct. Nov is spent balancing books by accountants, December follows with this activity. I dont know what is a perfect system. Using people like machines or objects is out of date.Friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer, between 2000 and 2010 worked for three companies that were acquired by Berkshire Hathaway after he hired on with them. Of course B-H always talked about how things would improve, and things weren't changing much blah, blah, blah. Each time he and many others were let go as part of "Improving the company" right about the middle of December. Always great news just before Christmas. After the 1st two times he was really down in the dumps when his 3rd company was acquired by B-H. In each case they assured anyone asking that such was not happening and right out of the blue with no warning their jobs were gone.
There are business reasons such things happen at the end of a year, and for not letting on that any such thing is about to happen. To humans working somewhere of course, there is probably no worse time to get such news.
Friend of mine who is a mechanical engineer, between 2000 and 2010 worked for three companies that were acquired by Berkshire Hathaway after he hired on with them. Of course B-H always talked about how things would improve, and things weren't changing much blah, blah, blah. Each time he and many others were let go as part of "Improving the company" right about the middle of December. Always great news just before Christmas. After the 1st two times he was really down in the dumps when his 3rd company was acquired by B-H. In each case they assured anyone asking that such was not happening and right out of the blue with no warning their jobs were gone.
There are business reasons such things happen at the end of a year, and for not letting on that any such thing is about to happen. To humans working somewhere of course, there is probably no worse time to get such news.
My friend was a real engineer. By this I mean he designed objects that were made. In the US at least most engineers are actually doing only a little engineering or mostly just used as tech competent managers or so it seems to me. In the three case of my friend, basically the engineering departments were gutted and actual engineering was moved to other countries.I suppose I’d rather be acquired by Berkshire than, say, Carl Icahn, but Warren Buffett has absolutely cultivated an image that is not entirely true to the reality. When he visits your firm he really does get chummy with the receptionists and doormen, and he really does go outside and hail his own cab, which is all very charming. At the same time, he drives a pretty mean bargain and watches the bottom line just like everyone else. Increasingly, his secret to adding value is what Berkshire’s imprimatur can do for the entree and value of a company more than actually creating more cash flow or better underlying fundamentals. And of course, sometimes a strategic investment from Berkshire can literally mark a company as a survivor (like GS in the financial crisis). So he gets much better terms as a result.
I've watched dozens of engineering colleagues get laid off in an effort to balance books and deliver maximum returns to shareholders over the decades.US financial year gets completed by Oct. Nov is spent balancing books by accountants, December follows with this activity. I dont know what is a perfect system. Using people like machines or objects is out of date.
I worked a lot of M&A for a large blue-chip conglomerate. We were all about streamlining and optimizing. Yes, there were often some changes made in staffing, but after acquisition, the companies were far more efficient and profitable. And net employment could grow, with revenue, market share, and margins growing even faster. If managers could hit their targets, we left them strictly alone. If they couldn't, we'd work with them to do so. Not all could, but that's true in any endeavor, there's a distribution of skills, ability, and willingness to work hard.I suppose I’d rather be acquired by Berkshire than, say, Carl Icahn, but Warren Buffett has absolutely cultivated an image that is not entirely true to the reality. When he visits your firm he really does get chummy with the receptionists and doormen, and he really does go outside and hail his own cab, which is all very charming. At the same time, he drives a pretty mean bargain and watches the bottom line just like everyone else. Increasingly, his secret to adding value is what Berkshire’s imprimatur can do for the entree and value of a company more than actually creating more cash flow or better underlying fundamentals. And of course, sometimes a strategic investment from Berkshire can literally mark a company as a survivor (like GS in the financial crisis). So he gets much better terms as a result.
The high price of "freedom".I wonder, are Americans aware that stuff like this only happens in the States? Most other countries have laws that don't allow these kinds of practices.
One of my professors liked to refer to MDs as "real doctors", his voice dripping with sarcasm.Some years back, I was dating an ER physician. When we were at a social event with her physician colleagues, she introduced me as "Dr. Yaniger." When asked what my specialty was, I answered, "Physical chemistry." "Oh, so you're not actually a doctor." My response was, "True, unlike you, I had to do something original for my degree."
Relationship didn't last long.
No, but you've achieved the level of education required to propose a thesis, prepare a dissertation and defend it. It's not quite a trivial task.So, if you have a PhD in [say....] Philosophy or a Master's in Socio-Anthropology are you more of a 'scientist' than the lo-life sparky with a Bachelor's of Science in [say...] EE?