Downsizing - Efficient or Greedy

Things don’t look so good for the average worker today. Lots of things make us happy, but having a job is right up there near the top. There are many reasons the average person is having trouble finding work but downsizing is clearly one big factor. A factor as yet not even proven to succeed. That success appears to depend on who you ask. In a country where the financial bottom line is the Holy Grail, corporate leaders are treated like either royalty or superstars. All they have to do is lay off 30,000 people and they become folk heroes. You may get a different opinion if you ask those overworked employees left behind and those who lost their jobs. That doesn’t even begin to address the effect on the community and the nation's economic well-being itself. Is Survival of the fittest an untouchable given?” Is it just Nature’s way? Global success is a hard attitude to fight and advocates of downsizing point to the third world improvement as proof that it works. Not so much for a worker in the advanced economic world. But Protectionism has become a dirty word associated with the Great Depression, so we are frowned upon if we seek to protect ourselves.

The author was a college professor for many years, with experience teaching numerous management courses. Prior to that he worked for IBM, several banks and securities firms, and owned a number of small businesses. Professor Sill is a scientist and a manager. Maybe even a little salesman, judging from his public speaking abilities. Above all, a leader. His education consists of an MBA from Hood College and Doctoral research in Strategy at Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Grenoble in France, Henley Management College in England and Newcastle University in England. He is dead set against the "winner take all" mentality and wonders if the "going for the jugular" attitude isn't overrated. Hard work, innovation and curiosity are all admirable traits, but wouldn't the world be a better place with a little kindness? Bob is currently retired and a widower. Spending time with, and encouraging, his two grown children is a pleasure and priority.