Lets entertain this scenario. Middle management is fired. What are the benefits and ramifications?
17 replies (most recent on top)
Why stop at middle management?
I was in a group that had its VP leave the company. The Admin for the VP would just take anything requiring VP level approval to any VP to sign. Our group flourished without a VP. There was absolutely no need to replace the VP as his Admin was all that we needed to get things done.
Of course after a while we received a new ignorant VP that we had to teach, but luckily had that same Admin so we could get things done.
Based on that success, EM could replace most VP’s with their Admins and still be just as successful.
Before 2007, the highest level a professional could get was 29. The creation of Upstream STC opened executive opportunities for about 100 STC. This number needs to drop to below 50, not needed now. Soon much fewer executive level professionals, back to the 2000-2007 system. This increase in executive level professions drove an increase in supervisory CLs also (we cant have CL 28 supervising a CL 31). Back in 1986, it took a VP level to promote a professional to CL 28, and the position had to need "business needs" requirements to get it approved...so it was rare. Attrition and competitor studies caused the changes in 2007. So expect change only if competition and attrition justify it. So manager CLs will drop along with professional CL. We got carried away in the good times of 2007 to 2017. Time to save money
Cutting a layer of management at EM is always a good idea, but it’s naive to imagine it would solve much. What it would be needed is to change the way management is selected (stop the hi-po system based on beauty contests, enact true competition for promotions), eliminate impunity for management mistakes and, first and foremost, base all rewards/punishments on actual results. The current system is entirely based on keeping “happy” the person above, with frequent changes of assignments being the perfect cover for disastrous results that will show up after the culprit has safely been promoted.
I would actually know what they fu-k to prioritize without all the filtering and misunderstanding that comes along with multiple layers of management
@OP I don’t think anyone would even notice. Or care.
The most obvious ramification would be fewer pointless meetings.
Microsoft stock would plummet due to the incredible decrease in usage of PowerPoint.
- P. In uncon would instantly improve the company by leaving. Totally worthless in attending endless meetings, injecting horse sh-t comments, stomping around the floor. Pretty heavy foot for a four foot ten girl; contributing to her group is another way she could make her presence known. Just a thought…
EM will be great again!
@OP+1cErQsXQ you sound like a mgmt. Boy/girl.
Not worthy of analysis, frankly.
Got better things to do.
Then we can increase dividend payouts to grandmas and grandpas.
I like your style ! Unfortunately, the majority of the "seasoned" FLS guys who know their business have been demoted and consistently lowered in ranking to make room for a "pet" barely old enough to buy his own beer. I've seen it over and over here in Permian. The chosen ones (kids) are in offices with supervisory rolls while the "seasoned" former FLS and even some SLS are living in cubicle he-l touting an Advisor title, doing meaningless low value work, all the while watching the rookies run the company into the ground. You have great ideas. Too bad we will never see them come to pass.
Now we give everyone 50% raises 🤑
Zero ramifications. They are useless.
There are some middle managers we would not miss; other middle managers missing, will cause an instant improvement.
There are many opportunities to cut 28/29 and Executive level staff. On to the MPT side install FLS who are seasoned, know their business and empowered as full managers. Don't allow STP C to be ersatz manager covering to for FLS. Get rid of SLS. Hipos can be tested and gain experience in well defined Lead positions at the lower levels. instead of everyone has a Lead title without required leadership skills. Get rid of STP C Sr Principal executive altogether. Make that a CL 28 position, Principal.