This is my opinion, to be clear, and not necessarily of anyone I work for or with.
It’s interesting how larger companies have so much bureaucracy and think that it will help them grow. To be honest, they need processes and repeatability. This is how they become more productive and more efficient.
However, today companies are learning they have to get lean again. They are realizing how much waste they have. It’s not a new thing, it’s something these larger companies have to relearn again and again. Very few run fat and happy for too long. Most have to reset and that’s when the layoffs begin.
When they get big, the bureaucracy gets stifling. It gets to the point where no one wants to make a decision that goes against their boss or groups KPIs. (KPI = Key Performance Indicators). To be clear, most KPIs for executives revolve around increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. They all want to cut expenses as long as it does not impact their lifestyle or bonuses.
As for the worker, fall in line or else. Thus, it’s hard to be creative if that doesn’t align with the KPIs. You may come up with a way to cut costs, but in the long run it may create problems, so you may not suggest it because big companies don’t like change at some point unless it comes from above.
There are exceptions, like Google. This company makes so much money that they appear to run fat and happy while maintaining creativity. However, if you read about them you realize that their creativity is taken from employees working side projects. This is cool because they give them time to do really cool stuff. Like Gmail, which I love. They have Google Doc, Sheets, Slides, and so many free resources that you can work with. Sure, I like Microsoft’s versions a little bit better, but for free, it’s hard to beat.
When you work for big companies, it can be hard to stand out unless you learn the politics. Some people are really good at company politics, and they’re the ones who take off. I don’t see their creativity as much as I see their willingness to follow blindly.
Some of us try to do really good work, and that really helps us stick around, but we rarely get promoted. You know why? We are too good at what we do now. I never put in for promotions anymore because I went that route. Generally you get a little more money for a lot more work and longer hours. Plus, when you manage people, their problems become your problems. Also, at layoff time, you have to let them go.
I have done all of that. I was a VP, Director, Manager, and had a lot of people reporting to me. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Some people love power, but most of those people become assholes and get fired. You know why? Because eventually, they piss off the owner or higher up executives. It pays to know your place.
Creativity dies with growth unless you make provisions for it. That can be done. I look at Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple. Companies that are very successful and find new ways to grow. They are willing to listen to the front lines. That is where, in my opinion, GE failed. They stopped listening to the front line and listened only to the top executives. Just like all the American auto companies.
Bureaucracy can be stifling!
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