Have you ever felt under-used?

[C.A.R.]

Perhaps under-used is the wrong term, but it's late at night and I can't think straight - and neither can I sleep for constantly stressing about work.

I became an area salesperson for a major manufacturing company back in April, having previously been with a much smaller company in the same industry. My previous role was very involving as there was a very low head count in the office, which meant liaising directly with customers at every step.

Now I am with a much bigger company I feel massively restricted and un-challenged. The sales management role is a piece of piss in comparison to the hard graft I was used to,but it seems almost absurd that most of my time is spent organising unnecessary meetings then documenting minutes from those meetings, rinse and repeat. There are now different departments for each process, marketing, estimating, sales, etc. This means delegating tasks or passing on enquiries for others to do, then mercilessly chasing for results on the telephone because the office is some 125 miles away and I'm working from home.

It seems that within the company each department is at each others' throats,constantly whinging and moaning with very little 'doing'. Indeed, the company also seems to be in a state of paralysis by virtue of its own established protocol. Massively inefficient but still getting results purely because the market is bouyant - but we waste so many resources.

Now I'm obviously still the new guy and I'm keen not to make waves - as the ideology which was described to me in my interview was that this company was the be-all and end-all of the marketplace which it operates in. The reality is somewhat different.

Would you raise your head above the parapet? Maybe you have been in a similar situation?

My Mrs is keen for me to carry on in this unfulfilling role because the money is good and the work is effortless for me, but I feel like I'm really missing out on the challenge my brain alone needs to just be satisfied that I have done a good job.

Another competitor is advertising for a similar role and the company is less well established and smaller, I've already spoken to them because I was having one of my 'unhappy' days with my current employer. Of course there is a non compete clause which could prove difficult, but I'll cross that bridge if it comes to it.

[edc]

At least you now have experience of both small operations vs bigger company. As you've found out the argument is often that of a broader role within a smaller company, simpler processes, a more personable approach to getting things done.

If you don't like the current situation you have limited choices, learn to like it, leave or try to make changes. Only you can tell how receptive the company might be to your ideas, what the political and approval landscape is like for effecting these etc.

[The Moose]

On the one hand, I would put together a business case for the problems and improvements for what you would consider to be required to make everything much more efficient and put a monetary number on the bottom of the document - i.e. how much money is being wasted each month/quarter/year. This is money that goes straight on the bottom line - straight into the pockets of the people who you then want to get your report in front of.

The numbers don't have to be exactly what you will achieve if the plan is implemented, however they need to stand up to scrutiny as you will get called out on it as you're about to ruffle some feathers.

If they take notice then you've probably just secured yourself at least a bonus, possibly a promotion and a payrise. If not, then I'd consider whether they're the type of organisation that I'd want to work for long term.

Remember that if they're making processes more efficient that may mean your job would be better off being done in house...

Whilst doing all that with my right hand, my left would be continuing discussions with the other, smaller company.

[Pferdestarke]

This is the situation I find myself in currently having moved from larger Plc to a smaller ltd company. Whilst the salary is better the structure is undefined and things just don't get done at an acceptable pace.

I struggled to adjust for a year and after two and a half now just accept that things are slower to happen. I tried applying pressure but it had no impact on those causing unnecessary hold ups.

Don't let them knock your passion but at the same time don't expect everyone to have the same drive as you.

I'd say give it a while longer.

[andy-xr]

C.A.R. said:

Would you raise your head above the parapet? Maybe you have been in a similar situation?

Yes, to be met with 'you're not here to think, you're here to do. Now fking do'

Sometimes you can be too visible in your role, I've only ever worked in one large corporate and the amount of bullst that went on was hard to swallow. It was a fairly regular thing that 80+% of my inbox was being copied into, onto FYI'd about, looped in on or otherwise bothered by inconsequential st. When I made plans, they were accepted and filed without being acted on.

I took my money for a bit and left it in the end, it wasnt satisfying and I couldnt see how in 2 years, 5 years 10 years time I'd go to an interview and be able to find a good answer to 'so what did you do that affected the company positively in your last role'

There really wasnt an answer unless you went into micro focus mode. I didnt add anything to the company.

I have some fairly strict self preservation rules about jobs, it's taken me 15 years to learn them but they're along these lines;

1) No dhead bosses
2) Be able to have flexibility when and how I work
3) Dont manage other people
4) Dont work from an office if possible
5) Dont work for headuparses companies
6) Stay with smaller people and wear many hats where possible
7) If it's feeling boring, it's time to look around
8) Dont stick around for the sake of a CV
9) Burn bridges if necessary
10) Dont be drawn in by bullst titles