This company was something special years ago. They cared about people and it was a great place to work. Now that Tipsord is CEO, the culture has shifted. In Systems, people become “leaders” who don’t have a damn bit of experience in technology. And some of the ones that do have tech experience, go on to become architects who are so taxed out with the leadership crap, they become useless. I hardly see or hear from my architect, they rarely have conversations with their teams, and then planning occurs and they come out with this crap that seems like it only took 5 minutes or less to come up with. Then we are left wondering to ourselves what all the craziness is about with flying people out to hubs, etc. I’ve given up on managers being worth anything, and the archs/lead archs are laughable. The only thing my lead arch has become an expert in is spewing all the BS corporate speak, and the directors and VPs get off on it all. I’ve learned that when speaking with leaders like that, you can say a whole lot without saying anything at all. Leadership is directionally challenged, and they constantly talk about setting direction. They got us into a great direction right now! Can’t wait to get the hell oit of here.
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I actually think the company is going to get sold to another company, as opposed to simply "going public."
There were rumors floating around a few years ago that included an interested buyer (hard to believe, I know)... If I could remember the buying company's name I'd share it, but I don't. Maybe someone else heard the rumors.
Doubt any changes to pension would be related to demutualization. Going public would lead to most of the decision makers having to go back to work. They’d get canned from board in short order. Won’t release control of all the money.
I heard talk about going public. And what would be one of the major agendas? Getting rid of pensions I’m sure.
Sociopath executives have weaseled their way into a mutual company:
In short, we don't work for agents or policyholders anymore, We are replaceable cogs that are only allowed to breath in order to help leadership get their next bonus. Would I be surprised if an IPO is on their agenda?
One of many. Far too many.
https://blog.walkerinfo.com/blog/state-farm-like-a-really-bad-neighbor/
@2erv... Research does nothing. That is why they need more directors.
Let's be clear about what the personal branding phrase is all about. It's a cop out. Relaying anything to your employee about their personal brand in Systems is a manager or director telling you they don't know how to communicate with you individually on what they want you to change. It is a cop out for coaching and counseling you. Instead they get people around you to give them insights on you, keep in mind they choose who to include so they can manipulate the message and deliver to wrapped up in this wholistic message indicating everyone feels that way. I.e. They feel that way and don't have the courage to confront you with it. That is the excuse of personal branding and it represents the complete inability to effectively lead and manage your workforce... also know as the State Farm way... and for all of you in Systems I will share with you if you go somewhere else to work the State Farm way won't work, it won't cut it and hopefully this isn't the only company you have ever worked at. If it is, you have a lot of learning to do!
As one person stated in another comment, the research section is getting more directors. For the life of me, I don’t know what research does and now they are getting more leadership, lol. There are so many other companies that are way ahead of us in technology and we can’t seem to keep up. Maybe once they finish with some sweeping cuts, something good will come of it. I’m not waiting, I am leaving as soon as I get an offer elsewhere.
As far as I can see the Systems dept never had any level of accountability. No one ever knew whose fault it was, no one was ever blamed. It was like the fault, the project and all associated memories were supposed to instantaneously disappear. Well in most companies you know whose fault something was because that person got fired!
If they had implemented a little accountability years ago we wouldn't be having these problems today. But the people who were actually responsible for this disaster of a department remain employed with high paying jobs, maybe different jobs but still high paying.
I am not sure that State Farm really gets it. If you can't get your arms around it and get control of it outsource it. There are plenty of people who know how to turn it around and do it well. You don't have those people...
It's a joke, promoted by a joke executive. Retention tanking, Adjusted Operating Profit tanking, and we are going to talk our way out with job insecurity and part time call centers.
I hated hearing managers push the whole personal branding narrative. What is their personal brand? I wouldn’t hire any management coming from State Farm knowing whats happening right now. This is their personal brand...huge fail.