Yes, it has been spoken of many times but it needs to be brought up again. When you get called by your supervisors during this anxiety filled period, ask them this question - how have these research folks added any value to the corporation and why are they not bein laid off in bulk? What have they done other than make a fool of themselves and our company?
There are so many things which cannot be missed unless management is complicit. For example, all internally developed ‘technology’ is a waste of money. Late to the game, barely copying older stuff from competitors and terribly old by the time it gets ready and the cycle starts again.
A shame, how do these research folks look at themselves in the mirror everyday? Yes we are pretenders and raising your voice against it is not allowed in the sick and toxic WE ARE EXXONMOBIL culture. But now is not the time to pretend, your jobs, your honor and integrity are on the line.
In upstream research, a great example is the internally developed reservoir simulator called IRMS which tooks years to build and millions of dollars each year plus dozens of staff to maintain, only to now realise after years that it s—s and is worse than any commercially available software in the market. And the people of remain in these teams have no option but to promote this piece of non-sense to keep their job. And these are the lowly URC folks who if questioned on their stupidity, will run to their mom and paps (aka disgusting supervisors and managers) in their organisation, screaming for help. And there are many more of these useless efforts which can be named, which are sold and promoted everyday. In fact call any of your RTD friend and ask them what and why are they doing what they are doing, you’ll be suprised at the non-sense BS you will get told. You will be horrified on how this useless organsiation drains the money from our corporation.
Another example is in our corporate research, our golden algae miracle, think about it only Exxon finds it an exciting prospect in the whole world? Look at the people and culture around you, can innovation exist in this place at all? Look at the ‘leaders’, name one that inspires and motivated you to be like them some day. There is none most probably, even there are are few they have had to sell their souls to agree and be yes men/women to the expressionless ‘high potential’ robots with no life skills other than being brutal liars. Again, reach out to anyone, and if you find they are working on something productive, post it here. I am certain they are not by any means other than promoting lies.
Yes it hurts to be in this organisation which I joined thinking its the best in the world and a career for life. Rather it feels like I am being punished for being so naive. Posting in this forum helps to release some of this anxiety our ‘leaders’ have brought onto us in the most unprofessional layoffs ever. I hope they suffer for their actions, karma will come and bite them in some form or another.