CORPORATE CAREER ADVICE

Many people wonder what basis is used to determine promotions and merit increases at Fortune 500 companies. Read carefully if you're still employed and striving for advancement. What follows will also assist those who do not wish to advance their careers but are interested in continuing their health benefits and salary increases with a minimum of stress and "face time." This wisdom applies to most industries. Large companies are similar to the military or the Federal government; if you're successful in one branch you'll likely be successful in another.

• All large companies systematically classify employees in a similar manner. Working within the confines of a large organization produces a clone that can go from company to company and not know the difference. Your boss protects himself first, examines you for compliance, and never reveals all the information necessary to complete an assignment nor fully delegates authority.
  
  
• All is not on a merit basis. Review awards, promotions, work assignments and analyze the reasons for the final decisions. Specifically analyze why merit did not receive the just reward.
  
  
• Being right is not always sufficent. Recall past proposals not approved even though all facts confirmed ratification.
  
  
• Most employees are ranked as: show horses, work horses, or horse's behinds. Discern which category routinely collects the rewards. Yes: show horses.
  
  
• Historically companies assume that the "corporate heros" are those that arrive early, leave late, and appear to be hard at work. In truth, many are poorly organized or spending time on the wrong things. Measuring results requires more attention on the part of management - not the number of hours put in but what gets results. Again - show horses usually place first in this game.
  
  
• Face Time. What is this? Why is it necessary to be seen at in the office at unusual hours, or attend functions where no decisions or business discussions are taking place. Again, show horses excel at this sport.
  
  
• Spend part of each day in idleness. Many either work too hard or are worked too hard, for no purpose but someone elses' gain.
  
  
• Review how managers administer their personal assets. Does your boss favor an annuity or a lump sum payoff? Insights on administration of personal assets reveal the type of person you must manage, pilot, or be manipulated by. Do not bring bold proposals to leaders who find it difficult to manage their own finances.
  
  
• Do not seek additional work assignments from a boss who continuously red pencils all your proposals. Spend your free time between the red pencil sessions working on your personal investments or career enhancement.
  
  
• An old South American saying; "the devil knows more from age than being the devil". This is very applicable to young astronauts seeking career guidance. If definition required, please contact author.
  
  
• Beware of bosses who call meetings at 4 pm or on Saturday mornings. They possibly do not enjoy family life, sport activities, lack a sound sex life or feel insecure.

Above advice will be helpful to career employees not hustling to break the top management sound barrier. They can watch the show with the actors playing their roles, appreciate this corporate comedy for its entertainment value, and fall back on the "don't worry - be happy" mentality.

If you have any suggestions to improve the career prospects of those still hard at work, please E-mail them to the address shown below.

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Revised Jan. 20, 2004 ©Copyright & copy October 2000

J. C. Margo
9624 Doliver
Houston, TX 77063
venny1@swbell.net