the timboucher experience

2 Comments

1. jet
   Posted October 24, 2007 at 6:03 pm | Permalink

   I worked as a computer consultant with AT&T from 98-01.

   After fixing their 2000 issues on the HR systems, next order of business was the “secret” project. Secret meaning we couldn’t tell the salaried AT&T folks about it.

   Essentially the AT&T project entailed coding the employees into one of these business divisions: Local & Long distance, wireless phone, internet, r&d, and one other one I can’t remember. The plan was to split off each of these businesses, with wireless being the one spun off first (layoffs/realignments and employee benefit changes coming later with our analysis lending a hand).
   Hell broke loose when AT&T spun off Wireless. The going price of the wireless stock was $20, which the employees were granted based on the stock options or stock benefits they received as group ownership (some just buying at the start), but within a month and all the way for the next 6 months, the stock never hit above $15.

   AT&T is a very well run organization, probably the best I’ve worked at, with a strong focus on planning being ones of the keys. However, they will work the system with long range planning that’s *confusing* in certain eyes. “All your bases are belong to us”.

2. Tim Boucher
   Posted October 24, 2007 at 6:10 pm | Permalink

   However, they will work the system with long range planning that’s *confusing* in certain eyes.

   I totally know what you’re saying: certain plans look foolish when viewed at the improper scale. In fact, making your plans look foolish is, in itself, a highly important element of strategy. Sun Tzu calls war the “art of deception” after all.