Why Do We Always Want More?
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And as i was commenting on the post RK (a.k.a. Zakman) wrote, i thought it would be a good idea to post about that on here and share my thoughts, since something similar to loosing my job or being laid off, happened to me a while back when i was working for a telecom company here in Montreal (of course i won’t name the company on here). The company locked us out (around 2500 employees) and it lasted for 13 months. So it’s pretty much like loosing your job, only difference is, you know when you’ll get back to work, things are gonna be much much different, and probably not fun and all!
But you can spend time thinking about your career and personal goals, and find other sources of income.
Companies seems to be obsessed with “growth”!
Say that big company is making 10% profit a year, then the next year 12%, then the next 15%… then the year after still 15%! That means it’s not “growing”! So in such cases, what many companies would do, is start laying off people and reducing costs. And of course asking more and more of their employees, when not necessarily paying them more. Remember they have to cut on the expenses!
Most companies or businesses will, sooner or later, reach some kind of “plateau“. It won’t keep growing like that year after year! And when a company realizes it’s not growing, they layoff people. Crazy people!
Of course we always want more! Well I sure do! But i think it is normal to reach a plateau, and when you reach that plateau you have to be able to find other ways to grow. You have to change your ways, not layoff people. If a company is making a 15% profit a year and it stays at 15% for a couple of years, the company is not going to go bankrupt. But still the results are clear: layoffs and unemployed people.
But on the other hand, being unemployed is not a bad thing at all! I wouldn’t want to work for someone, help them make more money, while i’m still getting the same paycheck every two weeks!
Like Zakman wrote: “There are worse things than being laid off — like staying in a bad job for “security.”
What are your thoughts on that? Did something similar happened to you before? It would be interesting to know your experiences and how you handled the situation.
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3 Responses to “Why Do We Always Want More?”
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I have never been laid of from work, when I was working for the man. But I do remember this company that I worked for that I thought you were talking about for a second. Increased profits at all cost’s was there motto. Eventually people ended up getting laid off and some just quit.
I think taking care of your people should be way up there on the list of priorities, but for most companies I don’t think it is. It is all about the money and these companies are willing to sacrifice anything to get it.
Anyways good post:)
Hi Jon,
Layoffs are always painful. I do understand that some company have to take this painful step to keep streamlined and lean.
Anyway what you said at the end is very true. When you work for yourself, how far you go really depends on yourself, and the reward should be somewhat proportional.
This is not the case when you work for others, and get the same paycheck everytime.
Cheers,
Jag
Hi James and Jag, thanx for commenting!
Definatly, taking care of your employees will benefit your company in the long run, laying off people should be the last resort, there are so many things that can be done before layingoff people.
It’s true, when you work for yourself, you are more willing to put in the efforts to get to where you want, as opposed to working for someone else where you still get the same amount of money even if the company is making huge profits.