...that we have movies that only reflect the great qualities of that city. If movies showed violence, cop killing, etc in N.Y., I am sure we would see equal outrage.
My experience has been quite different. Other than the weekend geeks who think they know more than they do, I have been lucky to work with some really nice, easy going, intelligent people.
My first true work experience in a large IT department was recently when I did contract work for a large insurance company. 1300 users upgrading them to Windows XP on all workstations and migrating their data. Previously I had worked for small IT firms designing and maintaining networks for small businesses.
I was shocked and appalled at how poorly the staff at this company treated the IT staff. They had a whole 3 people for desktop support for 1300 people and they always smiled through it. I was just a contract guy who came in at night and if I was unlucky and caught the user before they went home, I often got a lecture about this or that and scolded because I was going to replace their AT ergo keyboard b/c they neglected to order an new one through their dept when they were supposed to. Just crazy stuff. The staff had to put up with it b/c the dept managers allowed it. They thought of the IT staff like they would the janitorial staff. I really feel for those folks as well.
I am not sure what may cause IT snottiness but if it is anything, it is the attitudes of the employees of that company. The IT staff that you deal with daily often doesn't choose the software you use, the PCs they are installed on and the monitor you look at. They didn't decide to move your "buttons" when they upgraded you to a new version of office and they can't help if your dept manager won't buy you the $300 keyboard that you prefer. So please, don't yell at them. They can't help if there are 25 people ahead of you that need help with their system so don't scream at them if it takes more than 10 minutes to get to you. They don't know everything so if it takes them more than 2 minutes to fix it, don't call them an idiot and please don't stand over their shoulder and tell them how to do their job. If you decide to do things with your computer that you have been told not to do, don't blame them when it creates a bigger problem. It is not your personal computer, it is a tool that your company lets you use to do your job. A tool you told your company you knew how to use when they hired you.
What the workplace in general needs is a big hug. I truly treat each person as if they sign my check b/c in essence, we help each other make our money. Without you, there is no need for me, without me, you can't do your job. We need each other. I don't work for you, I work for our company. I have no reason to not want you to succeed. I don't know the answers to many questions, but I am happy to find it and learn more about it,
Treat each other with respect and if someone is truly a problem, no matter which department, get rid of them. If someone has that kind of attitude, they are unhappy but too lazy to find new work that they may enjoy. Why not do them a favor and help them.
I managed a small whitebox PC shop for about 4 years and worked as a tech there my first year. I probably have thousands of stories but have forgotten most of them. Here are a few I can remember.
Customer comes in angry because he is trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro but claims we did not give him his Windows Key. I told him that the key is on a sticker placed on top of his case. He then proceeds to tell me that he took that sticker off b/c he didn't like how it looked and threw it away. He then continues to tell me that since we neglected to tell him not to remove the sticker, (despite it saying, do not remove) we were liable and had to give him a new one. Keep in mind, the whole time he is screaming and swearing in front of all my customers. I pulled him aside and asked him to politely leave. He left, hopped into his car and spun out of my parking lot. The next day he came back trying to apologize. I told him that he and his entire gene pool were banned from my store.
I had someone once call and ask if the internet was down. We were not an isp but that didn't matter, he actually meant the whole thing, the internet itself.
Had a customer put sand in the bottom of the comptuer case to help with cooling. Didn't understand why that voided his warranty.
Had a customer come in to pick up a system he had dropped off 2 1/2 years prior for service. Was quite angry and suprised to find out that we had tossed it. Company policy states that any system more than 90 days old and unclaimed gets tossed. I kept it for a year. His phone was shut off and he never responded to the letters I sent.
Had a female customer call and complain b/c we didn't offer gift certificates. She told me now her daughter couldn't get her that gift certificate she wanted so badly and now she'd probably get some sort of crappy gift like a waffle iron. I politely apologize for about 20 minutes while the she proceeded to tell me how I ruined her christmas. She then told me I was a moron and asked to speak with my district manager. I gave her the number and gladly ended the converstation. My district manager called me back about 10 minutes later. Her complaint was that I called her "Ma'am" and she's not THAT old. We still laugh about that one.
Customer called and complained that the program he just bought from us wouldn't install. When he inserted the cd into the rom, it wouldn't auto start and clicking on the drive gave a no disk error. After about 30 minutes we finally figured out he put the cd in upside down. Sometimes we over look the simple answers I guess.
Slashdot Mirror
Only 8 miles??? http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectricca r/
...that we have movies that only reflect the great qualities of that city. If movies showed violence, cop killing, etc in N.Y., I am sure we would see equal outrage.
My first true work experience in a large IT department was recently when I did contract work for a large insurance company. 1300 users upgrading them to Windows XP on all workstations and migrating their data. Previously I had worked for small IT firms designing and maintaining networks for small businesses.
I was shocked and appalled at how poorly the staff at this company treated the IT staff. They had a whole 3 people for desktop support for 1300 people and they always smiled through it. I was just a contract guy who came in at night and if I was unlucky and caught the user before they went home, I often got a lecture about this or that and scolded because I was going to replace their AT ergo keyboard b/c they neglected to order an new one through their dept when they were supposed to. Just crazy stuff. The staff had to put up with it b/c the dept managers allowed it. They thought of the IT staff like they would the janitorial staff. I really feel for those folks as well.
I am not sure what may cause IT snottiness but if it is anything, it is the attitudes of the employees of that company. The IT staff that you deal with daily often doesn't choose the software you use, the PCs they are installed on and the monitor you look at. They didn't decide to move your "buttons" when they upgraded you to a new version of office and they can't help if your dept manager won't buy you the $300 keyboard that you prefer. So please, don't yell at them. They can't help if there are 25 people ahead of you that need help with their system so don't scream at them if it takes more than 10 minutes to get to you. They don't know everything so if it takes them more than 2 minutes to fix it, don't call them an idiot and please don't stand over their shoulder and tell them how to do their job. If you decide to do things with your computer that you have been told not to do, don't blame them when it creates a bigger problem. It is not your personal computer, it is a tool that your company lets you use to do your job. A tool you told your company you knew how to use when they hired you.
What the workplace in general needs is a big hug. I truly treat each person as if they sign my check b/c in essence, we help each other make our money. Without you, there is no need for me, without me, you can't do your job. We need each other. I don't work for you, I work for our company. I have no reason to not want you to succeed. I don't know the answers to many questions, but I am happy to find it and learn more about it,
Treat each other with respect and if someone is truly a problem, no matter which department, get rid of them. If someone has that kind of attitude, they are unhappy but too lazy to find new work that they may enjoy. Why not do them a favor and help them.
Customer comes in angry because he is trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro but claims we did not give him his Windows Key. I told him that the key is on a sticker placed on top of his case. He then proceeds to tell me that he took that sticker off b/c he didn't like how it looked and threw it away. He then continues to tell me that since we neglected to tell him not to remove the sticker, (despite it saying, do not remove) we were liable and had to give him a new one. Keep in mind, the whole time he is screaming and swearing in front of all my customers. I pulled him aside and asked him to politely leave. He left, hopped into his car and spun out of my parking lot. The next day he came back trying to apologize. I told him that he and his entire gene pool were banned from my store.
I had someone once call and ask if the internet was down. We were not an isp but that didn't matter, he actually meant the whole thing, the internet itself.
Had a customer put sand in the bottom of the comptuer case to help with cooling. Didn't understand why that voided his warranty.
Had a customer come in to pick up a system he had dropped off 2 1/2 years prior for service. Was quite angry and suprised to find out that we had tossed it. Company policy states that any system more than 90 days old and unclaimed gets tossed. I kept it for a year. His phone was shut off and he never responded to the letters I sent.
Had a female customer call and complain b/c we didn't offer gift certificates. She told me now her daughter couldn't get her that gift certificate she wanted so badly and now she'd probably get some sort of crappy gift like a waffle iron. I politely apologize for about 20 minutes while the she proceeded to tell me how I ruined her christmas. She then told me I was a moron and asked to speak with my district manager. I gave her the number and gladly ended the converstation. My district manager called me back about 10 minutes later. Her complaint was that I called her "Ma'am" and she's not THAT old. We still laugh about that one.
Customer called and complained that the program he just bought from us wouldn't install. When he inserted the cd into the rom, it wouldn't auto start and clicking on the drive gave a no disk error. After about 30 minutes we finally figured out he put the cd in upside down. Sometimes we over look the simple answers I guess.