"WHO ELSE IS LEFT TO LAYOFF?" Really? How about those responsible for our current state. The SVP's and VP's that never stood up for doing what was best for the company versus their own interest. We all know who they are and what value they are NOT to the recovery of Mattel. Especially at $200K+ a shot. To see them walk the isles of Mattel is an embarrassment to our past heritage of being the number one toy company in the world. It just goes to show that an over abundance of parasites can take the life out of any great living thing. .....Following the SEPTEMBER LAYOFFS TO COME, Senior top mgmt. will need to amend some basic business practices again. The change: A VP ca now have a minimum of 15 individuals (versus 50+ for most other public companies) in their organization to justify their position. In that manner 2 directors, 6 managers, 1 admin and....6 "actual" workers can just make the numbers. ....Mattel's type of INNOVATION at work.
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Boozie-besties. I've heard scandalous stories about what people are willing to do for mega protection.
Stockton never had a vision for the company beyond cutting costs to improve margins and Mattel's competitors (VTech, Lego, etc.) were able to introduce real innovation for a better price. Instead of dealing with the issue, they keep making organizational changes. A "toy box" division? I thought everything they do goes in a toy box. And a President of that division? That's an expensive leader. Oh wait, two SVP's under that person? That makes sense... and one is hot-potato from ES to NYC to Canada and now back to ES... good luck with that mean girl.
And Richard Dickson came in at $735,000 annual salary and a $300,000 signing bonus and $200,000 to relocate and $2M in equity stock grants. Yet another expensive person. Yet they keep firing the people actually doing the work. A fish rots from the head...
Regarding your east coast friend - everyone at the NY office wants him to go back from the polished shell he crawled out from. No one is even sure what value add he brings - he was brought over to east coast by the mega boss & hasn't contributed jack squat to the bottom line. He schmoozes all day with his clique-y friends for most of the morning, many times when there is a meeting he should be attending and just doesn't care to. He flutters in and out of meetings to show his presence but then finds his way right back to gabbing with his office bestie who is best known for her booze filled offsites. It is a pathetic state of affairs in NY. I can't believe they laid off such hard working people to hang on to the likes of these idiots. He is widely regarded as a joke who everyone knows his under-valued and under-appreciated team keeps him afloat as long as the work keeps moving. How he was recently promoted is beyond anyone's guess. laughable.
Anonymous102404........you should rethink who you befriend
Let's be honest here. No one that we think SHOULD be let go will be. As a long time employee I find that the culture in a way has been reverting back to the Jill Barad mentality of mean girl popularity cliques. I have a friend on the East Coast who talks about his direct reports not in regard to their work or business acumen but how they dress and how the accessorize. I am always appalled at the catty nature of his attitude towards his employees and his flippant "that one will be on the chopping block soon enough" comments. Usually it's the ones who don't dress to impress him. I don't know these people, but had I the chance to meet them I'd give them a hug and tell them I'm sorry.
Working for hotwheels was a lifelong dream full filled, that as a contractor, I didn't get to enjoy nearly long enough. I follow this and any other sites for Mattel news in the hope there IS a recovery so I can back to doing what I am meant to do.. yes management seems to be disconnected from the workforce but isn't that any major corporation?.. if your still working there you are lucky, do what you can to keep it that way, do what you can to make the coolest stuff possible, and make Mattel thrive again ... because I want my job back
Very well worded, OP. But guess what? A new VP started Thursday. Just what we need!
Unfortunately she is right, but if it makes you feel good to vent that's your perogative. Look at the highest leadership of the company...it appears they couldn't care less about the employees and are mearly opportunists in it for themselves to make a lot of money. Yes, many at the next level will hang on for dear life. It has been like this for years and will continue this way for some time. You should find a better place to work.
Why not use your energy positively and look for a new job rather than keep complaining which does nothing? No one is stuck at Mattel. I'm not saying you don't have a reason to be frustrated but rather use that frustration and anger to change your situation and make yourself happy rather than vent which does nothing.