Conference 7.286::digital

3158.0. "In Praise of Notes...." by ICS::DONNELLAN () Thu Jun 09 1994 02:41

    I will be leaving Digital on Friday and just wanted to take a moment
    and salute this notesfile.  In the opening note, we were advised 
    
    >" This file for issues about our Company, how we work here, how we
    >could work better, etc...    
    
    >Speak what's on your mind, even if it's a complaint or criticism of   
    >someone, some group, or the company as a whole. However, don't forget   
    >some basic guidelines of behavior in expressing yourself "in public." 
    
    If this statement had been a widespread practice in the company (beyond
    this electronic medium) I doubt that we would be in such a dire
    predicament today. Notes like this one are a crucial indicator of the
    mood and health of the company.  Because they enable people to share
    different perpsectives on what's wrong and what's right, they can serve
    as early indicators of what needs to be changed, what needs to be
    improved.  Because we are drawn to what is wrong in a company, this is
    a marvelous vehicle for determining where the next changes must occur. 
    A management that does not attend to what is said here does so at its
    own peril.  
    
    The excitement that initially greeted Bob Palmer's appointment - who
    can forget some of his early DVN's, his Circle of Excellence speech,
    etc. - was reflected first here and some might say on the bottom line
    in Q4.  We knew, however, last July that Bob was out of touch with the mood
    and feelings of the company and that was further exacerbated when he
    took the raise.  Do I dare suggest that the low morale contributed
    signicantly to the Q3 results?
    
    But on the other hand, we've seen him respond with a candor second to
    none in his most recent DVN's.  These were remarkable about-faces. 
    Maybe I'm missing something, but our morale problem doesn't seem as
    severe now as it was at the beginning of the year.  We are seeing
    formal recognition of the issues that typically get raised first in
    this forum.  While we are clearly a company in trouble and we remain
    rudderless, I get the sense that senior managers are striving to do
    the right thing, but that the solution is elusive.  
    
    My belief is that Bob needs to invite participation (through forums like
    this one) in a discussion of where we need to go as a company.  Neither
    he, nor the SLT, has the competence to decide that alone.  That's not a
    criticism, just a statement of fact.  The history of this company is
    written, albeit with many variations, in the minds and hearts of those
    who made the sacrifices that made it successful in the first place. 
    They must be consulted if that tradition, energy, and brilliance is
    going to be capitalized on to catapult us back into the premier ranks
    of the computer industry.
    
    Should this happen, I would see excitement replacing fear, energy
    replacing lethargy, hope replacing despair.  Without it we are doomed
    to be an also ran.  I think we are a moment away from restoring the
    vitality that made us the envy of the industry.  
    
    I will be watching from the sidelines, and hoping that the paralysis of
    the spirit will soon end.  
    
    God speed.

    Well said!
    
    Linda Moore

    Every good wish goes with you.  Your noting will be missed!

    Very gracious note.  Best wishes to you in your future endevours. 
    
    One comment on the thought about using a forumn like this to heal our 
    current troubles... I'd be great if the customers could also be
    included.  I believe that responding to their insights, opinions, 
    desires... could be invaluable in our road to profitability.