Flailing Enterprise

Greetings to all ERAC employees old and new. I am amazed at some of the stories I have read on this website, very interesting. Although for obvious reasons I don’t want to divulge my identity I will say that I am a MT based in the UK. It hasn’t taken me long to work out that there is a weird business philosophy with this company and reading some of your stories has put the missing pieces of the puzzle together. I of course have a few views of my own.

I noticed that the way a branch conducts business is in ‘crisis management mode’ or ‘reactive management’ rather than ‘productive planning’. Instead of a structured work process they elect to operate under ‘people empowerment’ values, i.e. every one is a manager and every one is a car washer. Let me tell you, you can’t run a business like that here, that’s what started me questioning their ethos. I would have thought a branch would work better with a dedicated manager, some glowing sales staff and a few driver/ washers all doing what they no best. But no, we are all the same, including the BM. Strange but true.

After a few chats with the ‘old boys’ of my branch (staff who had been there longer than 6 weeks) I began to realise that this company has an MO that can only have been structured in the USA ( no offence to you poor guys in the USA). No other company that I know of in Britain works this way. So, I am curious to see how things pan out. A little about me:

So far, I haven’t had much reason to complain, other than I think it’s utterly ridiculous to expect us to wear a good quality business suit and wash cars at the same time, I mean what is that all about? Who ever dreamt that up is surely due a frontal lobotomy. If that’s the company way then why not supply us with white coats to protect our hard earned cash (surely someone in senior management has thought about that? Its not rocket science).

Our AM is exactly the opposite. He hasn’t a clue how to manage staff. From what I have seen over the last few weeks he is stumbling along in a dark void being pressured by his superiors. This is the man that is going to push me to the top? Hmmmm I don't think so. Okay so as I said, I haven’t yet had room to complain but I am sure after reading all your comments my time will come. Expect to see me up here quite often. I wonder how long it will take for them to figure out who I am, and then will they sack me or what? I don’t think so some how. Luckily I have a mate who is a practicing labour lawyer and we have quite a few drinks together.. heh heh.

Take care all of you, old and new and a little advice. I know it can be hard and daunting if this is your first job. It's very hard to say no to the man at the top but if you feel strongly in your ways that you are being shafted or unreasonably treated then stand up for your rights. This company makes money out of individuals that lack this strength, don’t let them screw you. In another light, don’t throw in the towel on day one just because you have read some freaky shit on this website. Analyse your own situation (financial and personal) first and see if it warrants drastic measures before acting upon them. Try speaking to your superior and if that doesn’t work take it a step higher. If after all your attempts have been exhausted and you are still not satisfied, then start looking for alternative employment before writing the note.

Remember you need to give yourself a chance in the beginning. You are on probation for 3 months. Give it that and see how you feel after that period. If things have got worse then start planning your move. If they have improved, then set a goal for the next 3 months and so on.

I always believe there are two sides to a story, but in the case of ERAC and this website it does tend to be a little one sided, which isn’t good for the company. I will remain anonymous and see what happens in my own career path as an MT and as events unfold I will gladly publish them here, whether they are good or bad, for or against. After all, ERAC now has the opportunity to respond and do something about the situation. I hope that senior management read this and if we are all wrong in what is written here then send us a signal of hope. But, if we are right, you might as well pack up and head back to the USA because you won’t succeed in this country the way you are going now.

Get some decent management in place and rebuild moral amongst the troops and they might stick around for a while (or is that not in the POA?).

Regards - The Soothsayer

You're so gonna hate your job! Leave now

[Foojitive]

Soothsayer

You have some clearly developed ideas on how businesses will work successfully in the UK. Are you actually experienced at running your own business or just pompously devoted to the text-book dictat of your business management degree?

Whatever the case, you are too considered and grammatically-accurate to succeed in the higher ranks of ERAC. Communications need to be virtually indecipherable both in style and content, so that you can add to the general sense of confusion and panic.

You will end up hating ERAC, I'd leave now if I were you.

[6figures6yearslol]

The soothsayer, "my dick wants to laugh"!! - (Samuel L. Jackson in 'The Great White Hype')

I am from the UK but worked for ERAC in the USA. Believe me, recent BA graduates like the soothsayer who regard themselves as crusaders for the truth, seeking to advise and council those of us who have been where they have yet to tread, while working from good intentions really don't have the answers to ERAC's failings.

ERAC's behaviours do not endear the company to it's employees in the US any more than they do in the UK. To simply blame ERAC for its woes because it is a US company is an extremely short sighted view.

Instead I would submit that Enterprise suffers from a number of fundamental floors, not least of which is the fact that it's mission statement and alleged values are not acted upon company wide. The 'do as I say, not as I do' culture that pervades the company leads to a systemic disconnect at every level.

I learned a lot about Enterprise during my years working there. However, I have learned even more while reading for my MBA degree. Most MBA study involves real life case studies intended to demonstrate a theory or practice. Enterprise also serves this purpose well, with the exception that it is a text book example of how NOT to run a company and in many ways repeasents a 'perfect storm' regarding employee and customer relations breakdown.

I look forward to the upcoming unfolding saga of the soothsayer and how his morale (not moral soothy) is impacted by the evil E.

Dear Soothsayer,

How right you are!

I am not about to provide a long winded explanation of my views of the company. What I will say is tke that ERAC ethnocentric proposals on its UK business is tearing apart what could be a very successful enterprise. Yes, there are flaws and inadequecies of how enterprise manage thier operations in a 'reactive way' but these, at times can be the only way of management when there flashes of busy periods.

However these busy periods can be dealt with better with contingentcie plans. The best way these plans can be formalised is by formulating a way of generating ideas from all levels of the company. Drivers and MT's are a great basis for solving problems at branch level as these problems may of been analysed over a few pints after a heavy day.

AMs try to do their job at the best of their ability but people make the company what it is.

I ask that all CMs and AMs once a month aim to meet up with branches to provide chances to exert, analyse and hopefully cement these ideas into an action plan.

To the soothsayer, you may have already left, or you may have already found some saving grace, but what is important is that you find content in what you do, at eneterprise or otherwise. After all you will spend, a great deal of your time at work so make sure its someything that you can stick with.

Yours sincerly

Mr (m) T