Over there, over there…
We were on the brink of a new chapter.
Our development team, QA, Support, Deployment etc… that is only 35 strong here in Colorado was about to become “Project Managers”. Unfortunately we answer to a higher power in Baltimore and was on the brink of moving our main “grunt” development “over-there”. That was the story anyway, we’ll keep the creativity here and communicate the daily drudge to an out-source off-shore.
Well, that was two weeks ago and last friday those powers made a reversal announcement. Our VP who’s originally from “India” fought hard to keep the work here and well, won. At least we have a years repreive. Deep down I know there’s intellegence and competence over-seas, but feel that our 10 years of effort would suffer in the end and eventually would be dissolved had we continued with the plan.
However, while our engineers may be over-paid, some-times appear lazy, keep odd hours and generally dispise process and planning are still THE MOST CREATIVE at solving problems and when the chips are down and deadlines are looming, they step-up and solve problems. The process working with development engineers can be grueling, nerve racking and some times down-right frustrating, but they get it done.
I was concerned the original plan was doomed for so many of the reasons I’ve read about in every tech rag. Everyone wants process documented and standardized to predictability, but truth is, it’s not part of the fabric of the US spirit. We’re mavericks and seat-of-pants folks regardless of how much “process” we try to put in place. I’ve been doing consulting and deployments for years and while I attempt to put in predictability, I prefer the “make-it-up-as-I-go-along” process. I’m also a bit of an entreprenuer caught in a corporate life. I’ve been thinking alot about both the private business process and how I can harness that ideal while staying where I am. I recently read several blogs related to this ideal of Intraprenuer and think that it’s often over-looked.
I’m all for the success of other countries and frankly with a more global economy, I wish them well, but I agree on creativity, design and spirit. Americans solve problems through these maverick efforts and to dissolve such efforts is a travesty.
I think so many in management have lost site of some of the most important traits in American and have concentrated so much on the bottom-line, while important, get caught up in the latest “trend” and think it’s going to be a saving solution.
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