Acquisition washing
Discussion
I say acquisition washing because it's how I see this.
Let me explain.
I work for a UK Business who got acquired last year by a bigger global company.
Im an Architect and these have multiple disciplines so Some of this is going to be a big vague and complicated so I apologise.
Acquiring company had its same role as most companies do for my role, having worked in multiple industries and gone through acquisitions I've not been completely overawed or submissive to the people doing the same role as me, maybe my age now but I don't rate any of the abilities.
What's happened is they want the acquiring organisation to adopt our working practices (Agile) for the delivery and support. I've been doing this (Stretched to my limits) for the last three years at this org, I've felt I did enough to get recognised maybe with a bit of a lead role getting in new resources but haven't been. As an example a guy doing the same role as me who isn't too bad is leaving so was asked to oversee and get him handing over and working in our ways of working.
Now in my org we have a guy who plays a dotted line type role who is a "lead" architect who moved into a role in the acquiring company pulling in his structure, who has just said he is now moving on in a few months. Coupled with this we have a new CTO who has been in for a couple of months who seems to be rather layered from folk like me.
The crux of this is that what they are doing is putting these acquiring company members into "Lead" roles, they've created new role specifications and titles for these employees and annoyingly they will be deemed more senior than me and probably on the "senior leadership team". It also looks like they have replaced the guy who was working with me with this "Lead role" taking three roles down to two (And basically me being expected to do the work of two architects based on the ability of this lead)
Do I just play the game here and do less? Kick up a fuss or maybe even just think about a long term move myself? OR do I try and get a leg up somehow in this org enough (Which seems impossible btw with the layers above me).
I don't really have anyone to talk to about this support wise really, I did tell my boss I wasn't happy I wasn't given the opportunity to take on a lead role, but reality is I've had to take second fiddle because we've been eaten up by another company so deep down im happy to have a role at the end of the day.
Let me explain.
I work for a UK Business who got acquired last year by a bigger global company.
Im an Architect and these have multiple disciplines so Some of this is going to be a big vague and complicated so I apologise.
Acquiring company had its same role as most companies do for my role, having worked in multiple industries and gone through acquisitions I've not been completely overawed or submissive to the people doing the same role as me, maybe my age now but I don't rate any of the abilities.
What's happened is they want the acquiring organisation to adopt our working practices (Agile) for the delivery and support. I've been doing this (Stretched to my limits) for the last three years at this org, I've felt I did enough to get recognised maybe with a bit of a lead role getting in new resources but haven't been. As an example a guy doing the same role as me who isn't too bad is leaving so was asked to oversee and get him handing over and working in our ways of working.
Now in my org we have a guy who plays a dotted line type role who is a "lead" architect who moved into a role in the acquiring company pulling in his structure, who has just said he is now moving on in a few months. Coupled with this we have a new CTO who has been in for a couple of months who seems to be rather layered from folk like me.
The crux of this is that what they are doing is putting these acquiring company members into "Lead" roles, they've created new role specifications and titles for these employees and annoyingly they will be deemed more senior than me and probably on the "senior leadership team". It also looks like they have replaced the guy who was working with me with this "Lead role" taking three roles down to two (And basically me being expected to do the work of two architects based on the ability of this lead)
Do I just play the game here and do less? Kick up a fuss or maybe even just think about a long term move myself? OR do I try and get a leg up somehow in this org enough (Which seems impossible btw with the layers above me).
I don't really have anyone to talk to about this support wise really, I did tell my boss I wasn't happy I wasn't given the opportunity to take on a lead role, but reality is I've had to take second fiddle because we've been eaten up by another company so deep down im happy to have a role at the end of the day.
I've been through this a few times and been both placed above and also below.
Of course being placed below was always painful and I always took it personally.
My only real advice is to 100% think of yourself at all times. What moves can you make internally and externally to make things better for yourself.
You've already told your boss which is a good first step, but I'd imagine their hands are tied somewhat and they have been simply told where to put people.
I would add that one possible outcome was being laid off / made redundant, so at least you still have a role! But of course, it sounds like you got the s
tty end of the stick.
How easy is it in your industry to move companies? Could be a great catalyst to move somewhere else where you'd come in higher up than now etc..
Of course being placed below was always painful and I always took it personally.
My only real advice is to 100% think of yourself at all times. What moves can you make internally and externally to make things better for yourself.
You've already told your boss which is a good first step, but I'd imagine their hands are tied somewhat and they have been simply told where to put people.
I would add that one possible outcome was being laid off / made redundant, so at least you still have a role! But of course, it sounds like you got the s
tty end of the stick. How easy is it in your industry to move companies? Could be a great catalyst to move somewhere else where you'd come in higher up than now etc..
InformationSuperHighway said:
I've been through this a few times and been both placed above and also below.
Of course being placed below was always painful and I always took it personally.
My only real advice is to 100% think of yourself at all times. What moves can you make internally and externally to make things better for yourself.
You've already told your boss which is a good first step, but I'd imagine their hands are tied somewhat and they have been simply told where to put people.
I would add that one possible outcome was being laid off / made redundant, so at least you still have a role! But of course, it sounds like you got the stty end of the stick.
How easy is it in your industry to move companies? Could be a great catalyst to move somewhere else where you'd come in higher up than now etc..
Thanks, I can find work, but i'm on a good salary and package so far and few between.Of course being placed below was always painful and I always took it personally.
My only real advice is to 100% think of yourself at all times. What moves can you make internally and externally to make things better for yourself.
You've already told your boss which is a good first step, but I'd imagine their hands are tied somewhat and they have been simply told where to put people.
I would add that one possible outcome was being laid off / made redundant, so at least you still have a role! But of course, it sounds like you got the s
tty end of the stick. How easy is it in your industry to move companies? Could be a great catalyst to move somewhere else where you'd come in higher up than now etc..
Im not in a vulnerable position, it's just very frustrating.
I've played games for years so will know what to do.
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