Obsession with working in giant corporate or MNC (Part II)

Coming to the more juicy part...(from Part I)

Lately, I was informed that his company just has a corporate takeover ..(Uh-oh!) by an American conglomerate.

Whenever, there is a buyover, there will always be 1 thing on the buyer's mind

PROFIT, PROFIT, PROFIT

Which inadvertently points to

Maximise Profit, Minimise Cost

When I was told of the takeover, in my mind, I silently knew that his little Msian empire will crumble soon...but he was still going on and on...on how fantastic his company products are and how his products are the first in world to do this and that...and on and on.

Just happended, I just had a message from him just today, that his (very close) foreign colleague/counterpart had just been laid off....after more than 10 years of service, and now the HQ is scrutinising the Msian office, and his little dynasty here. He is desperate to leave (at least he sounds like it) and asked me whether there are any other opportunities.

Problem is I know he wont be interested in applying a job in small companies and the least he will do is to treat them as a stepping stone for him to 'soar' with the big wigs again...and to fall again and again...sigh

Personally I am still slightly miffed with the (arrogant) previous email reply I gotten from him when I asked for his help (and potentially a business venture).

However, the fact is we have known each other for some time, so I just offered him some advice and some consoling words....but I did pointed out to him...that I expected (which I really did...and I think anybody else would too) that this would happen.

But I know this sounds rude and obnoxious....but thats what you reap when you unconditionally lick asses....

Enough of my rant!

Personally I do not like to work in giant corporates...reason being

• I hate administrative or bureaucratic processes
• I hate filling in forms or writing to explain my thoughts or opinions
• Its very impersonal
• Office politic is a bitch!
• Too much time spent covering our asses and trying to second guess our colleagues/managers/bosses
• And when shit happens...finger pointing galore

Obsession with working in giant corporate or MNC (Part I)

Quite recently, I had a chance to fix a potential deal with a close friend of mine. This (uncle) guy has been working for a Multinational Company (MNC) and is holding one of the top marketing/management position in Malaysia (perhaps even in Asia Pacific) in the company. Needless to say, he tends to wax lyrical about his company products...always boasting things like..

• We are the first in the world to do this...
• Our products are top notch...
• We are in the highly critical sectors (like defence and radar)

blah blah blah...

Well, I cannot deny those products are of excellent quality and standard...but whenever we touch on the local industry (or R&D) trying to emulate or even innovate, the standard replies from him will be

• Local products are lousy
• Why reinvent the wheel....just import from other countries lahhh

I can understand his point of view...which usually boils down to mainly these 3

• Yup, perhaps such technology are already matured, so why re-invent
• Starting from scratch or even mimicking a technology requires many iterations and is time consuming
• And lastly..perhaps this is the deal breaker...he wont get any commission (esp if products from his company).

But you have to ask yourself, for any industry, there will always be spin offs or jobs created...

Can you ask the local researchers to just be an importer? The local manufacturers? Local software developers? Local engineers??

Even when I mentioned this to him...he adamantly said the best way is just get the technology in...and just use as it is.

Well to cut things short...I asked him to help me market certain products that I am going to collaborate with a local R&D entity...but the response I got from him was very disappointing...and more importantly it really made me sad.

The tone of the response border on arrogance and slight contempt