ven up long ago in an effort to cut labor costs.
Joe's problem resulted from a denial of reality. His company was a good target for acquisition. He had known that for some time, but made no effort to protect himself. Even after the acquisition deal closed, he was still confident that his job was safe. He really
believed that the new management would look at his fifteen-year record and say, "We can't let this guy go!" That might have happened twenty-five years ago, but not today.
Even when a relative owns the company, job security is one's own responsibility. We must all stay attentive, aware, and sensitive to what's happening around us, as well as be prepared with a "worst-case" plan of action.
After getting Joe on the track to job recovery, I left him with a couple of key reminders. A job, unlike a diamond, is not forever. And, since we are the chief executive officers of our own careers, we must manage them like the businesses they are!
1. What suddenly happened to Joe after he had worked over 15
years with a printing company? ________________
A. He lost his job.
B. He entered middle management.
C. He retired early.
D. He reorganized his office.
2. When there are company mergers, buy-outs, and company
reorganizations, ________________.
A. employees value money more
B. people should be surprised
C. managers value money over loyalty
D. accounting can't continue to exist
3. What should Joe have done about the coming merger?
________________
A. Tell other people about it.
B. Prepare himself for it.
C. Start a fire.
D. Write on the wall.
4. If there is a possible organizational change, employees
________________.
A. should make a formal announcement
B. should make new short term goals
C. should make rumors of change
D. should prepare for the change
5. What should Joe do in getting prepared for the company
merger? ________________
A. He should learn new skills.
B. He should improve his department.
C. He should buy a computer program.
D. He should teach a course.
6. Why might an employee change his job when a merger
happens? ________________
A. Because the employee has a job elsewhere.
B. Because the buyer's culture is very different.
C. Because the work environment is too far away.
D. Because the dress code is not traditional.
7. Through what way can we usually know a listed company's
financial health? ________________
A. We can gather the information from our network of friends.
B. We can see if the company has many people doing the
same job.
C. We can check if the company has skilled employees.
D. We can read and study its yearly report.