Thread regarding Northwestern Mutual layoffs

J2C failing

It seems that Bug Eyes’ (AA) relative (AR) is struggling with their initiative, J2C, which appears to be falling apart. Reports suggest internal conflicts among the leadership team, with efforts underway to conceal the reality from their new boss, DG. Millions have reportedly been wasted, while AR seems to be prioritizing family business over his professional responsibilities. Hopefully, DG will address these issues and bring much-needed improvements to ICS because AA won’t.

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| 4611 views | | 24 replies (last February 11, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jh9sd9fs

24 replies (most recent on top)

VC and SM in ICS will make good used-car salesman/woman. Fake smiles, cunning attitude, zero skills.

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Post ID: @4n9+1jh9sd9fs

I heard that TG is recognizing such talents by offering them a great opportunity to transition to financial advisor positions. How lovely! I can’t help but think that many of our tech and product leaders with their smooth speaking skills would fit right in there.

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Post ID: @4f8+1jh9sd9fs

As ICS member can confirm statements are true. Someone called VC a fake smooth talker - actually a true statement. Man has no actual technical skills for the job.

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Post ID: @4ef+1jh9sd9fs

Wow! I've had a couple of lunches at both the Franklin and downtown locations, and every time, the site and the stories about AA and ICS came up. I went through everything today, and as someone who's worked in his organization, I can confirm that it's all true.
Also, while some used to dismiss this site as just a bunch of complainers in the past, it has proven to be a credible forum for the true facts. Really good! Kudos to everyone—keep sharing it!

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Post ID: @4b2+1jh9sd9fs

Think Alice from Subservience wrote it.

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Post ID: @46n+1jh9sd9fs

@3r6+1jh9sd9fs He may be earning a low pay. His replacement would be too expensive, so he will be here forever! Just learn to live with him.
@40p+1jh9sd9fs Who knows what they cut for him? I was referring to his AIP payout.
Wow those eyes are majestic! Not in ICS, but became his fan!

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Post ID: @43c+1jh9sd9fs

Reading all of this, one can’t help but wonder—why does AA continue to sit back and let this dysfunction thrive? Is it incompetence, indifference, or just sheer arrogance? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: he’s not going to fix it.

Which brings us to the bigger question—what is wrong with the culture in ICS? How did we end up with a leadership team that rewards smooth talkers and ghost employees while sidelining real talent? How is it that accountability is nonexistent, mediocrity is protected, and those at the top seem more focused on keeping their inner circle intact than actually leading?

It’s almost as if ICS has become less about progress and more about self-preservation—where who you know matters more than what you bring to the table, and where decisions are made not for the success of the company, but to keep a few people comfortably in power. And at the center of it all is AA, who loves to play the role of a leader but lacks the vision, courage, or strategic ability to actually be one.

Nothing ever changes, and we all feel the impact—especially when failing projects start cutting into our AIP payments. While leadership protects their own, the rest of us are left paying the price for their incompetence.

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Post ID: @40p+1jh9sd9fs

Oh, absolutely—there’s a big difference between being genuinely friendly and just playing the game.

Take the ICS squad—AA, VC, and AR—each one a masterclass in overcompensation. AA’s all about that over-the-top ‘fake care’ routine, VC sweet-talks his way through the day without actually doing anything, and AR? Might as well be an urban legend at this point—just a bald ghost on Zoom, who AA secretly converted to a remote employee and is quietly collecting a paycheck while everyone else gets dragged into the office. Meanwhile, the company bleeds money, and real talent gets sidelined. But hey, at least they’re great at looking busy, right?

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Post ID: @3r6+1jh9sd9fs

It important to remember, though, that there's a difference between working hard and working smart.
AA is seen quite a bit on campus, chatting with everyone. While he appears to be engaging, many of us have observed that he sometimes gathers information and then, well, uses it in ways that aren't always...favorable.
So, perhaps it's wise to be a little cautious about what you share with him.

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Post ID: @3kp+1jh9sd9fs

@3c0+1jh9sd9fs - It’s very easy to hide behind a keyboard and write all of this.

AA is one of the most hardworking leaders I have seen in my career. I don’t even work in ICS but I have seen him work harder any most at NM.

How many ELG members do you engage the way AA does?

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Post ID: @3h2+1jh9sd9fs

@36v+1jh9sd9fs - Is it widely known out of ICS that SM and VC under AA are useless?

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Post ID: @3c0+1jh9sd9fs

SM is incompetent and everyone knows it. She and her entire org should be cut. Everyone knows that anytime you ask her or her direct reports for anything the answer is always no with no alternative or solution. KB under SM is a great example.

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Post ID: @36v+1jh9sd9fs

Oh, SM is better than the rest? That's not a high bar when the entire ICS leadership, starting with AA, sets the standard for uselessness and political games with ESD.

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Post ID: @2fa+1jh9sd9fs

In my experience, SM does more and cares more for ESD than any other ICS leader. I have seen this in action.

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Post ID: @2bj+1jh9sd9fs

Unsure = AR's family business
Sure = AR has other interests due to his absence on failing projects

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Post ID: @vc+1jh9sd9fs

can anyone elaborate what AR's family business is

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Post ID: @v0+1jh9sd9fs

@a7+1jh9sd9fs read about any other company on here and it's all the same

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Post ID: @ty+1jh9sd9fs

The f-up was LD’s team too. Typical. Both NS hires and both incompetent. They try to sweep it under the rug as a P2 so no one notices most of the field is down.

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Post ID: @ec+1jh9sd9fs

AA and his group of indigents f-ed it all up again this weekend for the field.

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Post ID: @dj+1jh9sd9fs

I have been with NM for many years and AA is the most insecure leader I have worked for. He is worse than KB.
AA is a con man and fooled NS, JS and CM. DG is smart he’s going to figure it out quickly.

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Post ID: @ca+1jh9sd9fs

What are some of the issues with J2C? How did AA hire AR if they are related. Did he not disclose their relationship to the company?

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Post ID: @c8+1jh9sd9fs

@bm+1jh9sd9fs - Spot on!

AA's insecurities are turning him into the next KB. DG got rid of KB and now must tend to AA and his leadership team. The inefficiencies in infra are beyond belieft - failing projects and cover ups on all failures.

With no product background - education or experience, SM under AA leads one of the largest product functions in the company.

DG - You have work to do in ICS

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Post ID: @by+1jh9sd9fs

Meanwhile, SM’s former employer shuts down 27 stores and their future is looking dim…but let’s keep investing in her and her team. Great product background and millions spent for NM. AA keeps backing that though. That is his downfall. TG and DG will clean house soon. (By the way… that is why AA has beef with DG. Because he will see through the waste.)

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Post ID: @bm+1jh9sd9fs

This is so crazy to follow all these NML stories. Always wanted to join NML until reading some of these stories. Any stories/tea about Enterprise Insights group?

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Post ID: @a7+1jh9sd9fs

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