Is there some Machiavellian purpose to creating this climate of anxiety, dread, paranoia? Or is anyone at the top even paying attention to what this is doing to people and their work? I'll be working all day on Sunday to make up for my unproductive Friday. Can someone please explain the method behind this madness?
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It was communicated that $2 billion in cost savings will happen over two years. Most are assuming that it means all of that $2 billion is people, which is not 100% accurate. By communicating this, it allows people self select out quickly which is a good financial move so severance isn't paid. You risk losing great talent and keeping crappy talent, but it makes sense to get rid of many and use savings to invest in better talent/technology.
Its very clear that the new regime has a few goals with this layoff: 1. trim the fat/reduce bloating (thats you) 2. Eliminate the bureaucratic levels of managers managing managers, managing mangers, etc. 3. Drastically change the company culture. and I am sure there are more goals as well, but these seem obvious.
Here's the reality.....the target culture has only fostered/festered all of your feelings that you are more than just a number. Hell, anyone would feel important/special if you were constantly asked for input on decisions that probably didn't impact you, but they wanted to look like a team player so they asked anyways. AND the feedback....OMG enough with the F8^%ing feedback! At a certain point, each person is different, and just because an individual's style is different doesn't mean they aren't a leader. So trying to get everyone to walk/talk the same is a futile battle and in the end, isn't that just a contradiction to 'being inclusive'??????
The reality is that in most companies, even directors and higher get involved in moving day-to-day processes forward. Go work in NYC and see how many SVP's send emails about specific product shipments etc. It's called work! and most of America does it themselves without the luxury of hiring 3 people to send your emails for you. Let's not forget all the additional layers of manager titles that were created because there were so many people in the same pay grade with 'NOWHERE' to be promoted to and the thought of people NOT getting promoted 'on-cycle' would be horrifying....I would venture to say this next week's bloodbath is more horrifying than not having promotions for everybody. Promotions are earned, not entitled.
Target is the ULTIMATE blue-ribbon culture. You all have been spoiled for many years, dare I say decades.......and hundreds if not thousands of people only know this way of working....many are going to get an ego blow when they realize they actually have to work for a living.
And for those of you who thought that your hard work was going to keep your position...well, that might be the case in the new world of target, but in the current culture, it has not been deliverables that keep your job it's self-merchandising that has allowed you to climb the ladder.
I get it, this is a really bad situation for all involved...but anyone with a brain could have guessed it was going to happen some day. But I guess if you are a DMM at the ripe age of 28 then you really haven't had any time to actually realize the cluster-F that Target is in. AND If you know anything about history, it tends to repeat itself.....or at least there are some alarming comparisons...Here's just one...and there are many more...... "The Roman Empire didn't fall....it tripped on itself......and so has Target."
Oh wow, the hitler reference! Get a grip on yourself!
Hitler? Hitler? Really?
Worked well for Hitler. Keep you people scared and they will work harder.
Lean is the new focus throughout corporate America, it's the only way to survive!
No need for us all to get punchy:) I have no HR background and time will tell if this approach was more or less painful than past TGT layoffs but...The warning does start the grieving/coping process and many will have had the chance to move most of the way through that process during the work weeks, being paid, with your Target community and on boards like this. We're still on the team supporting each other as of now and afterwards we'll be on the #gotthroughTuesdayteam and regardless of the outcomes individually we'll all know what it felt like to be impacted because 100% of us were in the same boat for a week. Good luck to all and thankful for our community
76190: thank you, Ayn.
Machiavellian?? Jeez I'm so tired of everyone being so offended. What is wrong with you? If they did it with zero notice, you'd say it was an ambush. They give some notice, and you're paralyzed with fear. It's this simple: 1) make a one-time layoff (or might be a series in the very near term) to correct for the bloat that has been created over years. 2) institute a lean performance culture where waste is constantly uncovered and eliminated - to keep head counts from spiraling out of control again. Big deal, you had to wonder about the details for all of 7 days...put your big boy/girl pants on and pull it together!!
no method! Welcome to corporate America you're just a number, get used to it! Good luck there is a life after Target.
Just noticed on Inside TGT that the 'Mental Illness: Team Member Panel Discussion' was canceled - is it too soon to find this ironic?