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I've been on both the acquiring side (as Allaire) and the acquired side (when Allaire "merged" with Macromedia).
The elimination of redundant positions is usually worse in sales, marketing, IT, HR, and finance. The engineering, QA, product management and doc groups are relatively safe, assuming that the two company's products do not overlap.
So, what your question boils down to is, who's ass do I kiss? Well, that depends. I think your job security is based on what you have done in the past, not what you can do over the next couple of weeks. In my experience, most of the decisions of who to keep and who to let go has already been made. Worse yet, it may have nothing to do with politicking, or even your experience, knowledge, or technical ability, but rather what product you are working on.
You can try to get yourself a chip in the big game, but it may be too late. I like your musical chairs metaphor, but would extend it to include everyone, not just management. Think of each chair as a product. When the music stops, you don't wanna be the guy left standing, so get yourself on a product that is going to still be produced, and try to distance yourself from products that will be end-of-lifed post-merger.
Like I said, though, IMO there is likely not much you can do at this point.
Matthew Horn
Sr. Technical Writer
< m a c r o m e d i a >
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Sent: Friday, August 30, 2002 10:38 AM
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My company is about to merge with another, in a relationship that is not
clear to those of us in the trenches. We've had multiple layoffs, the
most recent one seemingly an effort to trim certain portions of our
company to make it a better fit with our new counterpart. The event is
not being publicized yet, and management is being very tight-lipped about
exactly what's about to happen. So we don't know if we're being bought,
or simply merging. Or maybe even absorbing the other company, using their
money and our name, with some managemental musical chairs going on behind
the scenes.
Whatever happens, I would assume that upon the two companies joining,
there will be some shaking out, and elimination of redundant positions.
If any of you have been in this situation, I'd be interested to hear your
experience, and perhaps your hindsight. Are there things you can do to
try to enhance your job security? Are there things you wish you had
handled differently?
The most obvious issue for me is to find out exactly who my boss is (or
bosses), but I'm sure there are a number of less obvious issues that will
arise. I'd appreciate any input from anybody who has watched uneasily as
the Borg cube loomed closer to their company. Thanks!
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