Thread regarding State Farm Insurance layoffs

We've pretty much always known that State Farm management was incompetent, right? In the old days, that used to be a good thing for the rank and file. We'd shamble into their offices once a month for our "one on zero" meetings, and for the most part they left us alone. Of course it goes without saying that raises and promotions often had little bearing on the actual quality or impact of our work, but they weren't looking over our shoulders and the job came with a lot of freedom.

Of course, right around the time of ICP, the generational idiocy of State Farm leadership finally began to eat the company alive.

It was too good to last.

But it did last, for a long, long, long time.

It was like a fantasy land fueled by Monopoly Money, run by Oompa Loompas whose only skill was singing catchy lyrics to the tune of the executives.

Ooompa, Loompa, Doopity Dee!

We could not function elsewhere, you see!

Ooompa, Loompa, Doopity Day!

We're going to destroy State Farm one fine day!

Well, Willy Wonka has blown up the factory and all the little kids are covered in chocolate now. It's too late, kids. No one's winning this contest.

I have to agree. If you are not a software developer, best to get out now. That seems to be the only skill that is valued. Also if you are not willing to be a total yes man... Bail...

Remember, if you have to step over the dead bodies to get to the koolaid............ don't drink the koolaid.....

They tend to promote the people that cant do the work, but do very well setting in meeting and not rocking the boat, or making any real decisions, because thats just the "State Farm way"... Its like college professors, the ones that can not cut it in the real world go back to school and become PHD's... I feel bad for all the people that State Farm made promises too so many years ago. It seems that you are no longer valued. What really burns is when they make special videos about how great the hubs are and the people that work there. People that walked in the door 10 minutes ago, and have no clue of the rich company history. Oh wait, that history is gone now.

You know, in all my time there, that is something I noticed as well with the escorting of VPs when they came to visit. Its interesting to watch how worked up people get, I don’t understand it. These “leaders” are doing/have done a poor job managing the systems department and now look what is happening. But the people who have been around a bit as well as the 1st line and director levels get all puckered up like its the second coming of christ when a VP shows up. This entire dumpster fire is now at the top of the list of achievements for the SF leadership...embarrassing.

The problem here is that there are not leaders in the company. Calling someone a leader, or giving yourself that title does not make you a leader. Having leadership qualities is what makes some one a leader. Standing up for your people and not asking them to do something that you would not do yourself makes you a leader.

It is also odd how VP level people are treated like they are some kind of a deity. They are not, they are just people. It is not an event when they show up or anything like that. I recall seeing an analyst taken off of their work to escort one of these folks around. They make a lot, they can't find their way around a building without help?

There is no leadership. These folks only repeat what the 'leader' above them says. I think most may be fighting for their own survival.

SF Systems Is the biggest snake pit that I have ever encountered! That is more so the focus than doing the right things for their company and employees.

I worked there for 7 very miserable years witnessing this! Never once in 7 years in any Executive level discussions did I hear reference on what the impact to the policyholder or customer would be. No consideration at all!

They are focused on ALL of the wrong things.... to survive they need to advance their technology, provide convenience to their customer and lower their operational costs. Basic principles they still have yet to grasp. Not to mention the complete joke of having a Bank! The Banks customers are limited to SF employees only. What a waste of money spending oodles of $ to satisfy regulatory and compliance. Dump the bank, dump your inept technology leaders and start rebuilding your business!

I like the name you chose, I am also glad to be gone. The amount of repetitive corporate speak dragged me down. It seems like the corporate speak is the one thing that leadership has become expert at. It almost seemed impressive when I first started but you quickly see the BS. The leadership talks the funny sounding talk but couldn’t lead to save their own lives. “Driving the business”...right into a ditch. So much emphasis placed on the employees and metrics and branding yourself, but leadership as a whole is just awful. They lack knowledge, decision-making abilities, capbility to foster a growing team...they are just clueless. It’s astounding how that kind of poor performance has become systemic. Hopefully good people make it through or immediately find something new and rewarding.