In America right now, post-cancer the almighty self-inflicted one we call the Great Recession, it seems that the solution to this problem is really quite easy. Corporations like Politicians pretend to help the neediest, but in reality pander to the rich donor class. Those with deep pockets and deep political contributions rule. But that’s not what we want to speak about here. Today I want to make you aware that an alarming number of medium to large companies share an aspiration similar to that of the über rich. Everyone is out to make money, and in the world of business, as in politics, there are powerful elites to please. People will go to great lengths to get this structure to stay in power. Use your imagination, it happens.
No matter how young or old, irrespective of class, political affiliation, or the myriad of issues that divide us every day, Americans and folks overseas are feeling the far-reaching consequences of the now widely recognised, dire economic collapse several years ago. as the “Great Millennium Recession.” Rich and broke alike have seen their 401k and retirement disappear faster than they can remember the password.
When the Great Recession hit (or GR for our purposes), I was a responsible young college graduate working in management for a $6 billion dollar company. I’m not going to name anything, except to say it is a cleaner, pricier version of Walmart covered in red accents and a goofy dog with rings around his eyes.
Once I turned 21, in 2007, my store manager asked me to sign up for any 401k programs available to management. He helped me pick some good stocks and before I knew it I had doubled my savings. My money went straight into my account and that I did not consider it in years.
December 2009 rolled around and the opportunity of a lifetime came to her head, so full of life and opportunity. My closest friend from my childhood, while living in downtown San Francisco, needed a roommate. He has two jobs lined up and that I have never been more excited in my life. I sold all my valuable assets, cars, collectibles, you name it. Then it hit me! My 401k has been working fine a year ago. So I checked and found it under $1000. Yes, $1,000 after 2 years me and my company match 15% of every salary for 2 years. Now, you could say, my fault for not recognizing the crisis we’re in? Yes. Not a year earlier I checked it out and it was over $7,000 and showing no signs of slowing down. But I was a 22-year-old kid, at the time, with aspirations for a life far beyond retail. So I essentially said ‘fuck my measly 401k and enjoy the returns on my other investments.
Later that week, at the behest of approximately 2 dozen management-level workers at a company with an unnamed giant red bullseye, demanded answers. Our store manager, a little out of his league, to put it mildly, put on his best “nest-eating grin” he could muster across his face as he stacked the papers neatly in front of us. He started handing out the papers and the very first thing that hit me and a few of the other 22 mangers in the room was the word ‘Attrition’.
Once I and others amused myself with everything from historical Chinese breathing exercises to being Yin with Yan — to heated discussions amongst managers while I continued reading other headlines.”[Redacted] to Achieve Excellence and Survive Despite Economic Slumps through Attrition.” In other words, management saw and hoped we failed so they would have legal reasons to let us go. This company too smart to fail gives its management employees 2-3 times more responsibility without a raise.
For example, before my beloved workplace felt the terrible economic strain caused by two unpopular wars, everything was going well. Great pay, good friends, great girls. I’ve come so near putting a ring on that finger. The recession through attrition, gave me managerial responsibilities regarding good fresh and consumable produce, vendor relations, product ordering, etc. After the older management (which you pay more than) were let go after 20 years for not performing well under this new environment, we found ourselves struggling to stay. The new rigged system created the catalyst for corporate Darwinism.
During my time as a Senior Executive at Target, entrusted with many ideas of decency, you may be surprised or not to know that Target Color’s priorities are, in order:
1. Shareholders
2. Vendors (To keep prices low)
3. The “Guests” (Gd forbade someone suing)
4. And what is equally important is the Team Leader.
Going back to the idea of Gaining Excellence through Reduction only sounds sneaky on its own merits. Entering 2009 we have 20 Team Leaders. By our gathering in 2010 we had 10. Each with double or triple the workload, each disdaining the company they used to enjoy working for and every ready to jump ship at the first opportunity they got.
Target fires mom whose only income is $7.25 an hour. Their other strategy to save money is to find excuses to eliminate the member of the Marlin Target Team that lasts the longest. I’m sure saving the little more money they save bi-weekly makes a big difference. This is a new trend. This is how they increase their portfolio and please shareholders. They make it look like they’re on the rise by “cutting down the fat.” Meanwhile, these old women haven’t any income and live with their kids. They used to drive the local economy, now they cannot even put food on the table.
I’m one of the “Fortunate 10” selected to stay as part of “Achieving Excellence”. I only have about 3.5 times as much responsibility and stress without a raise. Target is really a disgusting company that’s known for using sweat shop labor to manufacture their products and they treat their employees like the scum of the earth. Instead of destroying people’s lives, many hoods of lives could be saved if Target’s new CEO took a few dollars off his approximately $14 million a year salary and cared for or some or “the members of his struggling team.” However, such philanthropy normally requires heart. Leadership should look at innovative ways to increase the number of companies to retain their workforce. Perhaps a powerful sales program that will support each employee’s annual cost of revenue. It’s hard to believe with all the technology at our disposal that companies cannot find innovative ways to increase revenue.
The best way for Target to Achieve Excellence this coming year is to buy higher quality locally made products, treat your employees above your vendors, and at least transform the leadership of the company into true leaders who have a proven track record of making revenue without committing consolidation. and bad practices. It is the only way companies can survive and stop the local economies these companies drive from collapsing.
Written by Brenton Zimniuch
