Slashdot Mirror
Sharing IT Problems with Executives?
dicey asks: "Later this week all of the IT department at my company (50-80 people) is having a dinner with the company President and VP/CIO. One major reason for this is so that they can get a better understanding of what is going on in IT and how it impacts the company overall. Ideally, with the ideas and sharing, these guys will have a better appreciation for us, adjust our budgets appropriately, and help us in our business.
However, many of us are wary to speak about what is going on because it will inevitably reveal problems with the company. We are worried about what we discuss coming back to our directors ultimately to bite us. I am curious what my fellow Slashdot readers have done in similar circumstances, where there is a great chance to let someone high up in your company know of problems so that they can be rectified, but whereby revealing them you may get hurt in the process."
Our IT department did something similar to this last year, and had the same concerns. We decided to make it a themed costume party, and we all dressed as our favorite sci-fi characters. We gave management the earful they wanted, and the next day we all got an email saying "R2D2 is sooo fired!" but they never figured out who it was.
Dilbert!
Of course it runs NetBSD. BTC: 1NT7QvbetmANwaMzhpVL6
at least you have a job, you insensitive clod!
1) Talk about how awesome you are.
2) Talk about how much more you could do with "just a few more dollars".
3) Talk about how other departments suck.
4) Despite other departments sucking, you improvised, adapted, and overcame.
5) In conclusion, we're awesome, and should beg for the chance to spend money on us.
Just rememeber to show them how reset their computers with the Dilbert "shake" method and tell them that IT is going GREAT and that with all the money your department saves you deserve a raise. And whatever you do do NOT mention anything about the "token rings" being lost in the "ether".
We are worried about what we discuss coming back to our directors ultimately to bite us.
Depends on what stage of ossification your company is in: early, middle, or late.
From the tone of IT concerns, you are in late stages, so shut up. When there are vested interests, the messenger always get shot.
Campaign finance reform is national security.
Did you notice almost everyone in this topic is posting anonymously?...
If you don't trust your "higher ups" to accept honest constructive feedback and not retaliate then you should at least be looking for a job with higher ups that you can trust.
Well, so much for working for corporate America.
the executive was really talking to the garbage can all night. This is why alcohol should not be served at company functions.
Have you ever been to a turkish prison?
I didn't want anyone to wast their mod points on that. Is there any other way to get modded down automaticlly.
Maybe it's experiment time. Wait for an article on a subject you know fairly well. Prepare a long, we'll articulated post. Include quotes from industry experts, and a few useful links. Even double check your grammar and spelling. Choose your best +5 material. When your post is ready, set the subject to something like: "Taco sucks asian boy wanker".
As Admiral Ackbar would say 'It's a trap!'. Unless, your company's senior management is unusually perceptive, virtuous, abounding with integrity, overflowing with empathy ... etc., I would advise enjoying the meal in silence. If not, here's the scenario I would expect (and I've SEEN this at several companies):
... and we have many other problems including ...
...
Low ranking engineer (LRE):
Senior Manager: (turns to mid-level manager): Did YOU know about this?!
Mid-Level Manager (with 'deer-in-headlights' look. Thinks - if I say 'no', then I'm not properly tracking and handling issues. If I say 'yes' - then he'll ask why I didn't inform senior management and act to correct it): Yes! As a matter of fact, we are forming a committee to study this issue. I haven't spoken to (LRE) yet, but he's chairing the committee.
Senior Manager: Good, I want a full report on Monday
LRE: Gulp!
"Keep telling your colleagues about all the problems you wish to tell them about. Then keep very quiet in the meeting, they'll come out. ;-)"
He's right. Once I farted in a meeting, but didn't say "Smell that?" Everybody suspected the guy next to me.
"Derp de derp."
And I've never seen the kind of silent hatred for bosses in the US that I've seen overseas.
It's replaced by a silent hatred of Human Resources. The bosses hate HR too, which brings them closer to the workers.
I'm half joking there - but half serious.