Conference 7.286::digital

    .0
    Nothing that I`m aware of.

Answer..
   Sitting back, arms folded, watching (through rose tinted shades) them 
   all go merrily on their way to our competitors...

   Whilst as has been said many times before, many of those who should 
   have gone ages ago play deck quoits on the sinking ship.

	Stephen Davies

re: .0

I'd suggest that you try to change the subject as diplomatically as possible.

    Dunno about other orgs, but Networks is definitely aware of the problem
    and management has aknowledged it to us.  More, management has taken
    steps to address the issue and communicated this with us.
    
    Steve

re .4:

Can you tell us what steps they've taken?

    I would elevate this customer question up the Corporate Chain for
    them to handle.  That way you can win-win, both with Digital and
    your customer.

    justme....jacqui

    
    As far as the service organization goes, the VP of MCS, John Rando, has
    instituted Change Forums from corporate to the zones. Basically, it is
    a communications meeting, with a series of workshops, held once a month
    which bring employees at any level in contact with managers and VPs. I
    believe this will help us through the transition period and beyond in
    terms of employee morale.
    
    - Jim K

    Haven`t heard from Mr. Rando yet but it will take more than a pep talk
    to improve my morale...

Note 3319 describes a very positive step...

		Steve

	Ask them if they haven any openings? (that would boost your
	morale)

						mike

    .0
    
    
    Locking this notes conference ?

    Why??? .11
    

    
    >>WHAT IS DIGITAL DOING TO KEEP ITS GOOD PEOPLE ?
    
    
    Answer: A pay-rise of 20% would do the job.....
    
    G.B.

    
    	Gerrit,
    
    	That 20% would only bring us back up to the level we were at in
    February 1991 when we last had a rise!
    
    				Malcolm.

    
    Give the customer an old SPR form and tell hime he'll get a written
    reply within three months!
    

    I see others beat me to it.  There is nothing like money to improve
    morale.  My manager comes to me and says, "Charlie, you do a great job,
    and pats my back."  My response?  I keep working.  Now, he walks in and
    says, that performance raise you deserve is 15% and you'll see it next
    week.  Now this would give me a *serious* morale boost.
    
    Unfortunately, my work is application development - high risk, good
    amount of stress and demanding.  Why should I bust my but for a pay
    freeze?  See personal name.

    re basenote:
    
    Well, in the UK, morale was recognised as a Problem (outstanding
    insight, eh?).  The response was .... (drum roll) ...
    
    Management Training! Hurrah!
    
    (which incidentally never happened, as far as I can tell).  The
    relevance of manager training is as great as the aforementioned 
    quoits playing.
    
    Unless ... they were going to teach the managers mind-altering
    techniques so we would all be happy and contented (Baaah!)
    

    Just keep repeating   "We have a strong balance sheet"
                             "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                   "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                      "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                         "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                            "We have a strong balance sheet"
                                               "We have a strong balance sheet"

    Money would not be a motivator for me.  Maybe I am in the minority, but
    I would like to see:
    
    	Better/clearer communcation about direction and any further
    layoffs.
    
    	Consideration for those that do get layed off 
    
    	Bringing back and early retirement plan for those that would like
    to leave the Corpoation with some dignity and security
    
    	Better public marketing of our existing products and services -
    looks like something is actually happening in this area
    
    	Better planning when it comes to giving folks letters indicating a
    salary increase and then those people getting caught up in the freeze
    announced after the notice (happened to a lot of folks, including me).
    I was not upset about the money not getting in my pocket, it was the
    lack of concern for employees in poorly planning the freeze.
    
    I think that would cover it for me.  It would go a long way at
    improving my morale.
                        

    I'm even easier than -1
    
    I'll take pencils, tranparencies, a new printer, and staples.
    
    -s
    

    re: .0 
    
    Tell Mr. Customer that, as a corporation, Digital is committed to
    eliminating both the fiscal losses and the matrix management
    communications snafus that have *caused* all the poor morale in the
    (remaining) workforce.  Digital employees have indicated that they wish
    to see an end to the one-way revolving door (outbound) that we call
    TFSO, and Digital has responded by committing to complete the worst of
    the layoffs by the end of this calendar year.  
    
    In addition, the most recent reorganization (CSD, etc) will better
    align people and their work with the resources the need, as well as
    with the people they supply.  By creating a synergy between (for
    instance) engineering and manufacturing and sales, people's jobs will
    be made both easier and more satisfying.   Being part of a well-oiled
    machine is a lot more rewarding than feeling like a squeeky cog.
    
    Recognition and reward systems are being revised to be more frequent,
    more localized, and less political, as well.  An employee who feels
    needed and recognized is a more satisfied one.
    
    It may all be a bunch of double-talking nonsense to those of us on the
    inside, but it may be just enough to make your customer feel more
    confident in you and your co-workers.
    
    M.
    

    re: .5
    
    Hmmm.  Most of what I know comes from a meeting the LKG folks had with
    Larry Walker as well as reaffirmation from my immediate boss. 
    Basically, the message we got was that Networks is doing well and it
    looks, for now, like we don't have to worry about further TFSOs.  More,
    a program was presented that will allow employees to substantially 
    share in the success of the organization if we make some aggressive 
    targets.  
    
    I think most folks took the message to be the "all clear" that we've
    been anticipating for a long time.  There was also a message that we
    are now being allowed to run more like the PC part of the company.  
    The question and answer session was frank and open.  Everything was 
    presented with our direct competitors in mind.  The emphasis seemed to 
    be on doing what it takes to make us able to better compete.  I got the
    impression from folks that the changes being made are much desired and
    a long time in coming.
    
    Steve          

    
    
     Well as a Digital shop the customer probably has a stack of resumes
     from people with DEC experience (eg DEC employees). Be carefull about
     telling him that:
       a) there is no moral problem
       b) we've had the steps to reduce the problem in place for some time
       c) the really good dedicated people will stay
    
    I'd think this is a very opportune problem to get some middle to upper
    manglement people involved with. The customer probably be tickled to
    have them buy him lunch and these people are the ones that can do
    something about the problem.
                      

Tell your customer that corporate morale inevitably tracks profitability.
Tell him that our morale in Q4 was at an all-time low, but that it's
already starting to get better, and that our morale next year will be at
an all-time high.

If you want to convince yourself that morale is indeed getting better,
count the recent notes in this file for optimistic vs. pessimistic, and
compare to 3 months ago. I think you'll find ample evidence that Digital's
morale trend is up.

--RS

    Well...you could tell him that our balance sheet is stronger
    than his balance sheet :-)
    
    But seriously, I get tossed this question to. I find the best
    reaction is:
    - to acknowledge the problem. Digital _is_ going through tough
      times. Digital will loose some good people. But on the
    other hand the company is _finally_ being turned around and
    there are a number of good points [you know them].
    
    The customer is interested in _your_ reaction (assuming he
    knows and trusts you). Bringing in higher level mgt is in my
    view counterproductive particularly if this is can be
    interpreted as a keep 'em happy, give 'em a meal affair.
    
    Honesty is here by far the best policy.
    
    re roelof

    If all else fails we might consider to get ourselfs Prozac for the
    remainder of the year. It seems to clear one's mind from all the
    current trouble. Free benefit which comes with it is that any pending 
    mid-life-crisis will be boosted out of one's head too. 
    I watched a BBC program where this drug was heavily swallowed by a part 
    of Washington State population in a town(Wetachee?) well known for 
    it's Apple production(the eatable kind!).

    tell him we are all so desperate for ANYthing to hang on to, that we
    will grasp at any straw in the wind...
    
    and there is now growing evidence of one individual standing out among
    the pack, to whom MANY are turning for their uplifting.
    
    it's all in the wind.
    
    tony

    RE>.26
    
    ;*)  Close, I'm impressed! even locals have problems with the spelling.
    .....Wenatchee.  
    
    This year there may be baked apples though, due to
    the forest fires. :*(
    

    Re .0
    
    Didn't you fill out the employee survey ?
    I know that this was a very large very expensive and forthright attempt
    by Digital and the SLT to find out exactly what was wrong with morale
    and to fix the problems !!!
    The survey has been completed ...tabulated and all morale problems have
    been completely resolved.
    Please stop this negative questioning or you'll just generate more
    negative karma !
    
    
    Brian V
    ;)
    

    In Canada they have ,,, and I was quite surprised at how positive
    they were. Me thinks there are a lot of people that didn't truely
    speak their mind due to the lack of anounimity of the survey.
    
    
    Brian V