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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:	The Digital way of working

Moderator:	QUARK::LIONELON

Created:	Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5321
Total number of notes:	139771

433.0. "Titles on Name Plates?" by MAYIM::POLZIN () Tue Dec 29 1987 16:39

    When I interviewed at DEC 5 years ago, I was told that one of
    the important aspects of 'Life at DEC' was that people were not
    referred to by their professional names (such as Dr. Ferd Berfel,
    Mr. Vice President Joe Shlepfield etc..). Also part of this was
    that people did not have their respective titles posted outside
    of their cubicles/offices. Ko's name plate looked just like mine
    etc.. This really impressed me and is a point that I emphasize when
    interviewing prospective candidates myself.
    
    Now here in MRO1, we have a zillion new cubicles on the third floor
    and some of them now have titles under the names outside of the
    cubicles. One says "Supervisor", another I saw says "Operations
    Manager". Is this a change in policy? Was there ever such a policy?
    Are these new cubicles violating this policy?
    
    Can I now expect to see everybody getting titles and professional
    names on their name plates?
    
    Steve Polzin (just a lowly engineer)

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
433.1		STAR::ROBERT		`Tue Dec 29 1987 17:33`	12
	As we grow some changes are inevitable. I'll draw a distinction between "operational" and "professional" titles. Something like "operations manager" or "language-x supervisor" doesn't bother me. "VP" on the other hand, is mostly self-aggrandizing. - g (By the way, if someone want's to be called "Dr.", that strikes me as a more personal decision.)
433.2	Theory X	IPOVAX::RAINS		`Wed Dec 30 1987 10:59`	5
	It's not a change in DEC policy. MRO1 has its own "culture" which is based on the "Theory X" style of management. Fortunately the "culture" of MRO1 is not typical of the entire company. - An ex-MRO1'er
433.3		MEMORY::CASSIDY	Do, or do not. There is no try	`Wed Dec 30 1987 11:47`	4
	I always thought it was the ghosts of RCA still haunting the building. :-)
433.4	Safe for another year, at least	DENTON::AMARTIN	Alan H. Martin	`Wed Dec 30 1987 20:12`	16
	Re .0: From page 9 of "Internal Guide to Digital Organizations; 1987-1988 Edition": " 1.4 DEC CULTURE ... A First-Name Company Digital is a people-oriented company. The employee receives courteous, fair and equitable treatment. Employees conduct themselves in an informal manner and are on a first-name basis with everyone at all levels. " So don't get tensed out over the title signs at least until 1989. /AHM
433.5	Werner Heisenberg observing DEC's culture	SDSVAX::SWEENEY	Patrick Sweeney	`Wed Dec 30 1987 21:07`	8
	re: 433.4 Is that docuement or that section intended to be proscriptive (ie "this defines conformance to DEC culture") or descriptive (ie "one observes that this is DEC culture")? In any case, how does one create a formal policy to preserve something which, by definition is informal?
433.6	Even the word "DEC" is significant in this culture	DENTON::AMARTIN	Alan H. Martin	`Thu Dec 31 1987 18:43`	30
	Re .5: Hmmm. I'm not sure the distinction is made boldly. The whole guide seems to be descriptive, though. What constitutes "DEC Culture" is defined by example in that section of the document. The passage is preceeded by: " Honesty, hard work, moral and ethical conduct, a high level of professionalism, and teamwork are qualities that are an integrap part of employment at Digital. Along with the other professional attributes that follow, these qualities are considered part of the DEC Culture. " Perhaps we are to interpret this to mean that someone who wishes to be addressed as Dr. Berfel or V.P. Shlepfield instead of Ferd or Joe is being "unprofessional". But isn't addressing people according to their wishes an axiom of etiquette? Consider the "why can't I put my network address on my business cards" issue, though. In that context, a formal policy which says "No titles on office nameplates" takes no giant leap of the imagination. I agree that regulating speech is a whole new ball of wax, though. BTW, I'm surprised you of all people appear not to have a copy of the document. You'd like it. Send mail to SMC::JOKUR to ask for a copy. "Please provide your name, badge number, mailstop, cost center, and ENET node". Hopefully all the info is for security purposes rather than cross-charging, but they don't really say. Ask them first if you are worried about a possible charge. /AHM
433.7		CEODEV::FAULKNER	GOD, drives a camaro.	`Sun Jan 10 1988 21:27`	5
	As a former resident of IBM I am very impressed by Digital's attitude. No matter what happens here I will always remember that Dr's bleed and if you really need a title I spell sir ...cur .
433.8	Good-by Titles!!!	AISVAX::GWHITTEN	Flash Gordon here!	`Mon Jan 11 1988 16:03`	21
	It is my belief that titles are tools that are used by small people to get others to do things they would not ordinarily do. It has been very refreshing to me to find that at Digital we value the idea more than the source of the idea. In my own work many excellent ideas come from the most unlikely folks. There are those around me who, because of their own "class-consciousness", fail to get those ideas. I'm convinced that the informality of our culture encourages many to volunteer ideas...ideas that are never heard in other companies. By the way...one of the best compliments I've received in recent years was the surprise expressed by one of my technicians when she discovered that I had a Ph.D. I spent 10 years in academia...Ass't, Assoc, Full Professor, Chairman of the department...and tenured. Each year I watched title conscious folks jockey for position in the graduation processional... Boy do I appreciate Digital!!! Just Plain Gordon