Corporate Cutthroat Connivance - Classic Career Catastrophe
Jeff Brown inspired this post. Enough said! It is a story about an experience I had during my career.
The Prologue
I worked very hard on a project to create a new product line and presented it formally to a management team. My expectation was it would be approved and I would be directed to head it up.
My presentation was very well-received. As I expected, it was approved. When I asked when could I start, the response rendered me speechless.
We recently had a change in upper management. The President who's I had a good working relationship with was promoted. I had my reservations about his replacement. For good reasons as you will learn.
Corporate Cutthroat Connivance
After approving the project, he then asked my old boss to take the lead.
You should have seen everyone's jaw drop as they all expected I would be given that responsibility. Especially since it was my baby. Later when I asked the manager who was given this assignment what he thought about this decision, he expressed dismay. Especially since he was focused on retiring soon.
It finally dawned on me that the President wanted to kill my project without coming out and saying so.
LED Video Walls
In case you are wondering what that project was, I had come up with a plan to develop LED video walls using stackable LED matrix modules. This was WAY before LEDs were as efficient or low-cost as they are now. I told management that if we waited when that day came before taking action, it would be too late.
My ex boss who was given the task to lead this project did nothing, The project died.
I later discovered that the new president wanted to kill my project. This was his conniving way to do it. He and I didn't get along.
Classic Career Catastrophe
In frustration I resigned and got a job in another company developing high performance displays for military cockpits using LCD's back lit with thin fluorescent tubes.
Many years later three things happened.
- LEDs became more efficient ant replaced fluorescent tubes to back lit these cockpit displays. Eventually, all LCD s were back lit in this way in the laptops we all use.
- LED video walls are now used everywhere. The company I resigned from, as I expected, are not players in this industry.
- I made an attempt to collaborate with an electronics manufacturer to develop video walls. The investment cost was too high for me. I was too close to retirement to submit proposals to venture capitalists. If I was much younger I would have persevered. But at that time in my life, I didn't want to jeopardize my family's future.
Happy With Outcome
If I had got into the business of LED display walls, I would not be learning about online marketing today. I am happy with how things turned out. Here's why.
LED walls have become a commodity. As such, the profit margins are extremely thin, Only the big players who can mass produce these products can make money in this field. Guess where these products are manufactured? In China!
In retrospect I made the right decision.
Does my title make sense now? Using inspiration from Jeffrey Brown no less!
Cheers!
Edwin
Recent Comments
31
"Corporate cutthroat connivance" is a never-ending saga! It happens everywhere! Healthcare is not immune to that!.
Nonetheless, with you in the WA family is certainly a better outcome! As you are freed from the constant contentions and stresses that eventually will not be good for you (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually).
"All things work together for good !" And now you are in a better place, I may say.
Thank you for sharing your bittersweet experience Edwin!
Cheers,
Maria
Hello Maria,
Thanks so much for your supportive sentiments. Glad you feel the same way. I had been enjoying my experience in the corporate world for a long time. Until there was a change of management in the company because of consolidation.
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens.
Cheers.
Edwin
Very true indeed! Your door in the corporate world closed , and a very promising door of opportunities opened up for you!!! And in this door, you are the CEO! And you dictate your own terms!!!
Cheers,
Maria
Hi Edwin…great title indeed! Thank you for sharing your powerful story. Fascinating to learn about LED walls. I think these kinds of things are the norm in the corporate world. It’s all about who you know and a lot of politicking. Most happy to hear that a better situation unfolded for you as a result.
Cheers,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for commenting. Seeing how LEDs have evolved is a dream come true. I started my career developing tiny LED arrays that were installed to record digital data on the edge of movie film in spy cameras in the 1970s. They were so inefficient and expensive that only the military could afford them. And the applications were limited in scope.
It took a great deal of research by major semiconductor companies in the US and abroad to achieve the impact LEDs have today in lighting and video walls. Check out this US company that was one of these leaders:
https://cree-led.com/company/about-cree-led/
I get a great deal of satisfaction to have been involved in this innovative technology well before it became mainstream. As well as LCDs before they became the display used in laptops and TVs.
Those pioneering days were incredible. It was so exciting to attend trade shows, give and listen to presentations, and follow the evolution of these technologies.
This story is going to be on my personal website. Currently, I am focusing on my education from grade school to uni. Following that, I shall discuss the evolution of my career and how it relates to technologies that are commonplace today. Other chapters will focus on travel, leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship.
The most important ones will be dedicated to the wonderful people who influenced and mentored me throughout my life.
Loads of fun indeed.
Cheers.
Edwin
That's incredible, Edwin! You are a true pioneer. I can only imagine how exciting that was to be involved with. I very much enjoy hearing about your stories, as you have a fascinating life!
Cheers,
Susan
Thanks for sharing, Edwin. I often think that things happen for a reason. Had you led the project, you might not be in the space you are today, despite it being a fantastic idea.
I'm sure we could swap a few stories about the trials and tribulations of working in the corporate space ... I'm hoping to make an exit from corporate life within the next month or so. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
Hi Melissa,
You are so right. Thanks for your wonderful supportive words. I'd love to hear your stories of working in a corporation. I hope you achieve your dream of being corporate-free and being your own boss!
Cheers.
Edwin
Hello Edwin,
I had something a bit similar happen to me. My Corporate America Story So I know how much it sucks. I am sorry you had to go through that.
As for making the right decision...
Congratulations! We may not realize it at the time, but it does tend to work out for the best in the end. And now you are better off for the experience, as am I.
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Cathy,
I read your post and responded there. Judging from the responses, we are not alone.
Cheers.
Edwin
Hi Edwin,
Ya, I noticed that it seems to be a common theme. Which sucks for us, little people. But we will persevere!
Have a wonderful day!
See more comments
Typical evil but notice how it ended. Conniving always has its payday. And you're way better off here with us. WE give support and honor those who are honorable while promoting them for their timely projections. (Little play on words if you noticed).
Thank you, Jeff, for your encouragement to enable Edwin to pursue this.