The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!

Fed up talking videogames? Why?
User avatar
Drumstick
Member ♥
Joined in 2008
AKA: Vampbuster

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Drumstick » Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:30 am

That's not a growth wrote:Things are very mixed at work at the moment. A big project I'm heading up is going very well - we've developing a web app, and api and gui admin front-end to update content on the app. We showed our progress to the client the other day for the first time after a few months of work and he compared my ability to anticipate his needs for the project to that of an AI like HAL from 2001. Other comments we're 'expertly managed' and 'far more than I anticipated at this point'. Essentially, I was over the moon.

But things in the department are in a level of disarray never before seen. We barely break even, and they're wanting to restructure us, and wanting to take certain roles outside of the department and change the roles of those that remain. It sounds like they're trying to get me to be more of a sale/account management role. Some parts of it sound similar, get a customer project / sales lead and work with people in other areas to get it completed. But it'll be far more aimed at getting those other people to do the juicy interesting work, and I'll just facilitate and liaise and work to build a relationship with the client and provide them quotes. What I really like about this current project is getting really stuck into a problem, and really working closely with our devs to try different ideas, and figure out how we're going to solve a vague problem.

These last few years I've been loosely described as a 'project manager', but really things just aren't that tightly defined here. It feels more like the work I've been enjoying is maybe more similar to 'Product Manager' or something? I have no idea, and I don't think I'm going to find out here - there's no one else with these types of roles and I see them only trying to push me more towards an 'account manager' type of role basically because that's how they want to structure the department.

I've apparently got a 1-2-1 with my manager in a couple of weeks for the first time ever, but going by recent conversations I'm worried they'll make no attempts to find a way to make this work for me, and just want me to fit in their new structure.

But if I wanted to look for something else I don't really know how to approach it, and what kind of things I should look for - my concern is I'm basically making this all up as I go along with no guidance what so ever so would need to start low, but I just don't know what to aim for. I really need some advice, if anyone has any ideas.

The role you are describing sounds more Product Owner than Project Manager. Familiarise yourself with Agile methodology, revamp your CV and start applying for PO roles

Check out my YouTube channel!
One man should not have this much power in this game. Luckily I'm not an ordinary man.
Image Image Image
User avatar
That's not a growth
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by That's not a growth » Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:12 am

Nice one, thanks drummy, being pointed in a direction is a massive help right now, I'll have a look to see what kind of job descriptions those kind of listings have. I have been considering getting a scrum master qualification, so it might be time to take this more seriously too.

User avatar
Green Gecko
Treasurer
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Green Gecko » Tue Oct 26, 2021 11:58 am

You're basically working in creative problem solving with client liason and sales so yeah I'd describe that as more product owner or product manager with 121 consultative sales approach. I basically do that for a lot of small jobs I fulfil myself.

A project manager can manage anything from a website where everyone else gets farmed the proper work, to making tea in the morning or organising a banquette.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
_________________________________________

❤ btw GRcade costs money and depends on donations - please support one of the UK's oldest video gaming forums → HOW TO DONATE
User avatar
Tomous
Member
Joined in 2010
AKA: Vampbuster

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Tomous » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:11 am

This morning I raised a support ticket asking how to do something in our accounting system and they've literally emailed back with a link to a google search of my question...

Feels kind of passive aggressive.

Image
User avatar
Errkal
Member
Joined in 2011
Location: Hastings
Contact:

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Errkal » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:16 am

Tomous wrote:This morning I raised a support ticket asking how to do something in our accounting system and they've literally emailed back with a link to a google search of my question...

Feels kind of passive aggressive.


Could be worse, could have sent a LMGTFY link

User avatar
Lotus
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Lotus » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:18 am

Tomous wrote:This morning I raised a support ticket asking how to do something in our accounting system and they've literally emailed back with a link to a google search of my question...

Feels kind of passive aggressive.

I did something similar a while ago. I was on a live chat service at work with the global service desk and went into quite a bit of detail about the issue on my laptop, and the response I was got was "just Google it" :lol: :fp: Thanks, so helpful.

User avatar
Xeno
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Xeno » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:45 am

I don't care who the strawberry float they think they are, or how stupid the issue seems. You get paid to do a job, strawberry floating do it. I have received gooseberry fool like that and went straight to their boss and cc'ed the strawberry floater in the email.

This is something that really gets my goat and I will be the loudest wheel that ever did squeak.

User avatar
Tomous
Member
Joined in 2010
AKA: Vampbuster

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Tomous » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:50 am

I probably should escalate this as the support is outsourced and we pay by ticket

Image
User avatar
Green Gecko
Treasurer
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Green Gecko » Wed Oct 27, 2021 12:13 pm

Lol that's pretty bad.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
_________________________________________

❤ btw GRcade costs money and depends on donations - please support one of the UK's oldest video gaming forums → HOW TO DONATE
User avatar
Gemini73
Member
Joined in 2019

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Gemini73 » Wed Oct 27, 2021 12:14 pm

Tomous wrote:I probably should escalate this as the support is outsourced and we pay by ticket


Absolutely do this.

User avatar
Rocsteady
Member
Joined in 2008

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Rocsteady » Wed Oct 27, 2021 12:32 pm

Tomous wrote:I probably should escalate this as the support is outsourced and we pay by ticket

That's even worse :lol:

Normally I wouldn't bother and just assume the person's having a bad day or whatever, but yeah in that case I'd escalate.

Image
User avatar
Victor Mildew
Member
Joined in 2009

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Victor Mildew » Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:15 pm

The on site IT support guy at my first place wouldnt touch any apple stuff, even though on a software level it all functioned the same as the PCs other people would use.

Me "My internet browser has lost its settings, can you put them back in please"

Him ".....um, my suggestion would be to phone Apple"

Yeah, phone Apple, brilliant. Yes hello can I speak to Ian apple about my work's browser settings please?

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
User avatar
Squinty
Member
Joined in 2009
Location: Norn Oirland

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Squinty » Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:32 pm

That's some excellent work deflection.

User avatar
Qikz
#420BlazeIt ♥
Joined in 2011

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Qikz » Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:07 pm

As someone in IT support I would argue it depends on what support contract they're offering. If they're not specific software support for that software it's likely they'll either not know or not be able to explain it as well as a proper FAQ for the actual software can.

Giving a google link is pretty shitty, at least link to something that explains it. If they're software support then that's a total joke.

The apple thing it's your fault for using a Mac, strawberry float off back to the apple store and get your help there. :capnscotty:

The Watching Artist wrote:I feel so inept next to Qikz...
User avatar
Tomous
Member
Joined in 2010
AKA: Vampbuster

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Tomous » Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:20 pm

Yep, they're software support :lol: :fp:

Image
User avatar
Memento Mori
Member
Joined in 2008
AKA: Emperor Mori

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Memento Mori » Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:25 pm

Being asked what dates I can do for a work Xmas lunch. Really?

User avatar
Victor Mildew
Member
Joined in 2009

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Victor Mildew » Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:26 pm

Memento Mori wrote:Being asked what dates I can do for a work Xmas lunch. Really?


What about a Christmas lunch?

Hexx wrote:Ad7 is older and balder than I thought.
User avatar
Qikz
#420BlazeIt ♥
Joined in 2011

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Qikz » Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:31 pm

Off work this week and my friend I work with messages me saying they've hired someone else as well as first line and they're starting next Monday.

Finally we're replacing the people that left ages ago!

The Watching Artist wrote:I feel so inept next to Qikz...
User avatar
Jenuall
Member
Joined in 2008
AKA: Jenuall
Location: 40 light-years outside of the Exeter nebula
Contact:

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Jenuall » Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:31 pm

Really as in "who the strawberry float goes on a Christmas lunch?!" or are you suggesting it's too early to be arranging that kind of thing?

We had emails going around about what we were doing for work Christmas events back in September! :lol:

User avatar
Memento Mori
Member
Joined in 2008
AKA: Emperor Mori

PostRe: The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!
by Memento Mori » Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:35 pm

More that it's a global pandemic. And while I love going to michellin star restaurants on company time, I don't want to do so any time soon.


Return to “Stuff”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Grumpy David, Joer, Nook29, Ploiper, Vermilion, wensleydale, Yoshimi and 336 guests