Business Budget Cuts: Sign of The Times?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of budget cuts in businesses, particularly in the context of employee celebrations and corporate culture. Participants share personal experiences and anecdotes related to their work environments, highlighting the contrast between past and present company practices.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a significant reduction in the scale of corporate celebrations, contrasting last year's event with this year's more modest gathering.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the company might be cutting costs while executives enjoy lavish trips elsewhere.
  • Concerns are expressed about the job security of colleagues, with one participant sharing the emotional toll of seeing friends face layoffs despite their kindness and support.
  • There are anecdotes about the work environment at MCI, with references to past experiences and the challenges faced by employees during difficult times.
  • Participants discuss the need for job security and the importance of looking for new opportunities amid uncertainty in their current positions.
  • Humor is interspersed throughout the conversation, with light-hearted comments about personal skills and living arrangements, reflecting camaraderie among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement on the challenges posed by budget cuts and layoffs, but there is no consensus on the broader implications for their companies or the corporate culture. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best course of action for those facing job insecurity.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal stories that highlight the emotional and social aspects of job loss and corporate changes, but the discussion does not delve into specific solutions or strategies for coping with these challenges.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in corporate culture, employee experiences during budget cuts, and the emotional impact of layoffs may find this discussion relevant.

Evo
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Businesses just keep tightening their budgets more and more. Last year the division I work for flew everyone to Las Vegas to celebrate the annual branch kickoff.

This year, we're driving down the block to a cheesy strip mall type convention center for TWO hours to celebrate. I'll bet if I'm lucky I'll get a t-shirt too. The suspense is killing me.

And I'm told we had a record year, exceeded our revenue growth goals, etc...

I wonder what kind of celebration we'd be having if we hadn't brought in a record amount of revenue. :rolleyes:
 
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Sounds like you work for MCI, lol.
 
Evo said:
I wonder what kind of celebration we'd be having if we hadn't brought in a record amount of revenue. :rolleyes:
I'd be wondering why I wasn't invited to the REAL celebration.
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
Sounds like you work for MCI, lol.
No, I work for the "ethical" company. :wink:
 
tribdog said:
I'd be wondering why I wasn't invited to the REAL celebration.
Oh, I'm sure all the bigwigs will be flying to some tropical island in the corporate jets.
 
sounds ethical
 
tribdog said:
sounds ethical
Well, I'm sure they will have a business meeting while they're down there to make it a legitimate business expense.
 
while they are down there, raid petty cash and go to Vegas.
 
Thats nothing Evo, you should hear the stories I could tell about MCI and their work environment around 95'.
 
  • #10
yeah, you should hear what I could tell about someone I could talk about and you know who from that one year. boy howdy you sure should.
 
  • #11
yeah, you should hear what I could tell about someone I could talk about and you know who from that one year. boy howdy you sure should.

I don't understand insert commas, and periods please.
 
  • #12
cyrusabdollahi said:
Thats nothing Evo, you should hear the stories I could tell about MCI and their work environment around 95'.
I've heard stories. One of the guys in my office is a former National Sales Director for Worldcom. He knew Bernie Ebers personally. It's sad, he's 65, owns a multi-million dollar house and is working with me because his wife has cancer and needs better insurance than medicaid.

He's one of the three other people hired with me in July. They were all told the first week of December that they are all being terminated. I am the only one spared. I feel like s**t. These are the three nicest, honest, friendliest, give you the shirt off their back, people that I ever met. Since day one, they've brought me little gifts and home cooked food, and are just sooo nice to me. But they do that for everyone. These people are NICE. Unfortunately, they don't learn as quickly as I do and have been struggling. I do what I can to try to bring them up to speed, but they've also had rotten luck. This is high tech sales and 99% of what you sell is pure freeking luck.

They are still so nice to me telling me how glad they are that at least I made it. :cry: :cry: They are sincere. I will remain friends with these people forever.

Everyday that I go into work and see them and know that they're losing their jobs in a couple of weeks and have no prospects, I want to cry.

Not to mention that the company has realized they need to reduce headcount by 50% in the next couple of months and have rolled out a new guideline stating that year to date results are no longer considered. Anything less than 99.9% of quota attainment each month will result in termination, so, anyone month you fall below 99.9%, you can be given notice. Yeah, this sucks. No stress here.
 
  • #13
This year, we're driving down the block to a cheesy strip mall

Thats funny, we often see strippers to celebrate as well.
 
  • #14
Wow, that's sad. Maybe he should sell his house. Who needs a house that big anyways? I hope all works out well. Do you have any other job options available, I think in this situation it would be prudent to start looking for another job just incase the whole company tanks.
 
  • #15
cyrusabdollahi said:
Wow, that's sad. Maybe he should sell his house. Who needs a house that big anyways? I hope all works out well. Do you have any other job options available, I think in this situation it would be prudent to start looking for another job just incase the whole company tanks.
It's one of the largest telecom companies in the US, you see our commercials everday, it's not tanking. But they need to keep sending those execs to Tahiti...

Poor guy, he just built this new house for his wife, all on one floor, because she can't go up or down stairs. He confided in me that he was out of work for so long (not much of a market for former Worldcom exec's) that he's already taken a second mortgage on the new home to cover expenses. He's keeping all of this from his wife so she won't worry. He takes care of her, cooks the meals, and he brought me some homemade chicken soup he made. :cry: It was really good.

Anyone that is willing to let poor old Evo pitch a tent on their property when she becomes homeless will be greatly appreciated. :smile:
 
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  • #16
Anyone that is willing to let poor old Evo pitch a tent on their property when she becomes homeless will be greatly appreciated

I am also a nice man, I will pitch a tent for you.
 
  • #17
Homer Simpson said:
I am also a nice man, I will pitch a tent for you.
Awww, thanks! <snif> Just send me a map to your place. I can cook and clean, chop wood, do minor plumbing repairs and carpentry.
 
  • #18
Its so hard to find a good woman that chops wood these days!
 
  • #19
Awww, thanks! <snif> Just send me a map to your place. I can cook and clean, chop wood, do minor plumbing repairs and carpentry.

Now that really does pitch my tent. Could you fetch beers as well?

just kidding. don't hurt me.
 
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  • #20
cyrusabdollahi said:
Its so hard to find a good woman that chops wood these days!
Yeah, with all the feminism flying around, nobody wants to do those traditional women's jobs anymore.

Evo, I'd offer you a space to pitch a tent, but the only yard that comes with the rental I have goes rather steeply uphill, so I'm afraid you'd probably keep rolling out of bed. The deck here is basically a wooden patio, right on the ground, so you can't sleep under my deck anymore either. :frown: Sorry.
 
  • #21
I don't even own a yard! :(

Evo, you should start looking for another possible job just to keep your option open. Hey, I know... how about looking for a job in the Chicagoland area? That way, *I* can bring you chicken soup when I make some! And I'll even let you beat me when we play Scene It - Disney Edition!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #22
ZapperZ said:
I don't even own a yard! :(

Evo, you should start looking for another possible job just to keep your option open. Hey, I know... how about looking for a job in the Chicagoland area? That way, *I* can bring you chicken soup when I make some! And I'll even let you beat me when we play Scene It - Disney Edition!

:)

Zz.
I can live in the trunk of your car! I'm small. I'm not picky.

Yeah, I need to start looking around. I wouldn't mind moving back to Chicago. :approve:

Homer - yes I can fetch beers.
 
  • #23
Evo said:
I can live in the trunk of your car! I'm small. I'm not picky.
Yeah, I need to start looking around. I wouldn't mind moving back to Chicago. :approve:

Well, in case you forget, this is a reminder of what our city looks like. Maybe it'll provide an extra incentive for you to move back. :)

Zz.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1782/11717778ax.jpg

img31440bx.jpg



img17346cf.jpg


Hey! Now how do you suppose that last one got in here?! <innocent look>
 
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  • #24
ZapperZ said:
Well, in case you forget, this is a reminder of what our city looks like. Maybe it'll provide an extra incentive for you to move back. :)
Zz.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1782/11717778ax.jpg
img31440bx.jpg

img17346cf.jpg

Hey! Now how do you suppose that last one got in here?! <innocent look>
You are such a doll! :approve:

Well, if Disney World has a Chicago branch, I'm there! Oh wait, that looks like your address Zz. It says "World's largest collection of Disney pins". :biggrin:
 
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  • #25
I don't think I'd let you stay in my yard Evo. I mean, if you are the kind of person who takes food from people who can't even afford healthcare and are about to loose their job...
 
  • #26
My ex worked for Hot Topic corporate. They have two or three parties a year with live bands. They even had Social Distortion into play for one of their parties not that long ago. They do quite a bit for their corporate employees.
 
  • #27
Evo said:
Businesses just keep tightening their budgets more and more. Last year the division I work for flew everyone to Las Vegas to celebrate the annual branch kickoff.
This year, we're driving down the block to a cheesy strip mall type convention center for TWO hours to celebrate. I'll bet if I'm lucky I'll get a t-shirt too. The suspense is killing me.
And I'm told we had a record year, exceeded our revenue growth goals, etc...
I wonder what kind of celebration we'd be having if we hadn't brought in a record amount of revenue. :rolleyes:

Most of what I see out there is pretty ugly. There is an exception to the rule now and then and I just did a job for one of them. Most of the employees have been there from ten to thirty years. They have a company jet that everyone gets to use for company business. Everyone that I talked with said that they are treated very well. And they even pay their contractors on time! :biggrin:

But this a huge exception to the rule. Most places treat their people like slaves. Many people that I know are often expected to work an extra three or four hours at home at night after perhaps a ten hour day in the office. There is this game of "well, you don't have to work after hours", and then in some manner it is made clear that some other slob will do it and take your job, if you don't.
 
  • #28
Evo, I am sorry to hear about the current situation given what happened last year. Please feel free to call on me as needed.
 
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  • #29
Evo said:
Oh, I'm sure all the bigwigs will be flying to some tropical island in the corporate jets.
Hey! Don't be knocking corporate jets (grrrr...)
 
  • #30
Homer Simpson said:
Anyone that is willing to let poor old Evo pitch a tent on their property when she becomes homeless will be greatly appreciated
I am also a nice man, I will pitch a tent for you.
Oh man! Am I the only one laughing at this?
I'm probably the only one with the lack of class to bring it up
 
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