I think our tone deaf leadership will be shocked at how much tolerance there is for their “Happy Day Are Here Again” homecoming schtick. We are OVER being treated badly, blamed for their failed leadership and will finally have a chance to say so face to face. Counting the days!
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Two weeks out and we still can’t even fully resister yet. The session descriptions do not seem to hint at anything new or exciting. It is bookstore 101 and mostly good for new hires and managers needing remedial help learning their jobs. Anyone else think this is a disaster about to happen?
Follett’s leadership truly is tone deaf...good call out! They continue to bang the same old drum because they know nothing better to do. With so many VPs you’d think a good idea would surface occasionally. Nope. I hope you do speak up and that others do it as well. It might add some spice to what it likely going to be bland propaganda.
The preconference hype is really ramping up with blog posts, elective course announcements, etc. I’m honestly not sure if the meeting is to divert our attention from the from the abject misery we have been in facing in recent years or if the home office honestly believes that this is what we need/want. Either way, it’s just sad.
You really don't get it. It's too late. Follett is stuck with super peppy newbies like you but no real industry knowledge. Mobile POS was tried 4 years ago. Great idea but you actually need employees to make it work. Skeleton staff now!
Seriously, I am so excited to share the new initiatives with you. I will give you a sneak peek with more to come in June. A new super eFollett that will be the industry leader in ecommerce, includED that will show the students lower prices, CT Web ordering the right books at the right time, new POS with mobile, signature capture and more. Private label where Follett will provide students low cost options for quality spirit clothing. Stay tuned, you will be just as excited leaving the conference. OMG
Dear Ms "I work at the Home office"-
*We have many initiatives that will be presented to show everyone that Follett is BACK. *
So how many of your initiatives are truly original? How many have tried and failed in the past? Why don't you check with the old timers, the institutional knowledge base of the company. OH YEAH, you laid them all off or drove them off!!! So how long have you been with the company? We used to do a celebratory meeting on a quarterly basis to celebrate milestone anniversaries (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.) for associates and there would be a sign saying, X no. of years of Dedicated Service. They were usually in the 75 to 150 year mark (all associates anniversaries combined). How many are there to even celebrate 5 years of Dedicated service?
More wasted money from Follett.
We can give you all 2% but waste thousands on sending people to Orlando.
WTF is wrong with this companies leaders
Dear Ms "I work at the Home office"- you are either naive or brainwashed or both. Is this your first real job? You sound so earnest and eager. Keep working those 60 hours till you burn out. And if you're so enamored of Follett then why are you reading the Layoff board?
Can't wait to talk to you at the Orlando party!
I’m a plucky optimist but Follett is far from “back.” We are a top heavy company that disrespects it’s non-vp level employees and treats us as interchangeable, mindless expenses. I’ll listen to everything presented with an open mind but will push back if when necessary. This could be a bumpy homecoming.
Great. So 60 is the norm now. Brainwashed.
I work at the home office and will be attending the national meeting. Like the store, the home office is working 60+ hours every week to bring great new programs for our customers, schools and stores. We have many initiatives that will be presented to show everyone that Follett is BACK. I look forward to meeting many of you and gaining your insight.
The code word is unemployment
I hope someone has the balls to call them out at these meetings. You just never know how many sycophants are out there who will sit on their hands or protest any show of unrest. I for one would love to hear it, and love to participate.
We should come up with a code word so we can figure who is in board and who is not, and then use one of their forums to stick it to the man.
Why don't all y'all network amongst yourselves. With an effective network, as you start to actually look for new jobs, you can provide feedback on what employers are asking, looking for. The economy is at near full employement (granted, we got there by eliminating jobs with benefits and hiring more part time workers and by exploting the gig economy). The low unemployment rate means employers are having a hard time filling jobs. Now is the time for you to leave. Do it. Tell you new network of buddies how you did it.
Why has there not been any cuts at the executive level? As the field continues to get smaller, the executive suite just keeps getting bigger.
Good questions, do you expect honest answers?
How about asking them about the hundreds of people let go these past 4 years? Look around and see who is left from the last conference. Not many. Those remaining sure know how to a$$ ki$$
Every session where feedback is allowed, I’m speaking up. For Course Materials, why can’t we depend on CT working during buyback and rush? Why do we bow to the big publisher’s every whim when holding our orders could cripple them to the point of bankruptcy. Why does Follett never win in the constant tension with the publishers? For selling Follett to our campuses, why do the amazing programs we offer (includED, Discover, etc) never seem to roll out or work properly? Why is payroll constantly contracting while expectations increase, especially in light of the plush tax break gifted to Follett this year. Etc. I’m not planning on getting fired while I’m there but I fully intend to ask lots of uncomfortable questions.
And exactly what will you tell them?