New to the Forum

**MOJO** · March 31st, 2009, 01:49 PM

Hi, all.

I'm a new member, though I spent about 11 years in the industry. I've spent the past 2 years working for one of the world's largest financial institutions but have been kicking around the idea of coming back. I'm bored!

Just out of curiosity, what are the biggest challenges you all are facing today? I would venture to guess that micromanagement is close to the top of the list, given the tight profit margins in the business. Anything else???

Thanks.

**beyond help** · March 31st, 2009, 07:47 PM

Welcome Mojo. There is quite a bit of micromanagement, but I still have enough wiggle room to do my job.

**yahoo** · March 31st, 2009, 09:40 PM

welcome mojo...post often!!!! my biggest challenge is getting used to big brother!!!

**TheCableVine** · March 31st, 2009, 10:46 PM

Welcome aboard.

**MIG4000** · April 1st, 2009, 09:35 AM

Welcome to the Vine ! ! !

So true, I must Agree with the guys... i must, i must. This big brother guy, I got to tell ya man, he is one pain in the a**. With all these rules and like Sting from The Police.... I'll be watching you, I'll be watching you.

**MOJO** · April 1st, 2009, 10:18 AM

So....when I was in the business, we had gps tracking on the trucks. It was a horribly inefficient system that ended up being scrapped in the end. Have things gotten worse? I seam to remember someone telling me that one of the larger companies had installed cameras. Is that really going on, and what purpose does it serve?

**ifinditunderground** · April 1st, 2009, 10:18 AM

Welcome to the show Mojo.

**RD_Wrangler** · April 1st, 2009, 10:23 AM

Salutations.

**GPGrasshopper** · April 2nd, 2009, 08:48 PM

Welcome Mojo. Yes. Some have installed cameras. They are set of by a set g force applied, or by a jarring force or by excesive vibrations. They are always running, but they only save to memory about 10 seconds before and after one of the above items occurs. The idea is that they are useful from a fleet management perspective to learn what happens in the event of an accident or something (but other uses can always be found from a tool such as this)

**yahoo** · April 2nd, 2009, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by GPGrasshopper

Welcome Mojo. Yes. Some have installed cameras. They are set of by a set g force applied, or by a jarring force or by excesive vibrations. They are always running, but they only save to memory about 10 seconds before and after one of the above items occurs. The idea is that they are useful from a fleet management perspective to learn what happens in the event of an accident or something (but other uses can always be found from a tool such as this)

just to add to your information ....a fact... most accidents here... the camera did not go off!!!! that is a fact ..not what i heard!!!

**MOJO** · April 3rd, 2009, 12:37 PM

So, if I understand correctly, it's not neccessarily an issue of "Big Brother" watching you. It's used primarily for a Risk Mgmt tool? Any other issues I should know about before throwing my hat back into the ring? Has is the economy affecting ticket volumes? Are you continuing to see the utility providers driving down prices (resulting in an even tighter profit margin)?

I appreciate the help, guys. This would be a huge decision for me; one that I don't take lightly.

**GPGrasshopper** · April 3rd, 2009, 10:13 PM

Depends on where you are. In my area, ticket volume dropped, but not as bad as in other places. Given the circumstances, I'm actually surprised volumes didn't drop that much. New home construction tickets are down, with the tank in the housing market, but there are things like FTTP still feeding a bunch of tickets into the system pretty steady.
As for the utility provider price deal, I don't know. I have heard rumors about ticket price, but have no real information. That is left to people who make a lot more than me.

**nuffsenuff** · April 10th, 2009, 11:43 PM

I hear tell localy where i am there are some laptops out in the field that have built in cams and they are being activated remotely by management to see what the locator is doing. It has happend...... And as far as the GPS it is in fact a pain in the a@# to have your sup show up while you are locating to make sure ur er brake is set and your cones are out and want to set and talk for a frickin hour because he has NOTHING else to do...literally!!!!!!!

**Wingfoot** · April 12th, 2009, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by MOJO

Hi, all. I'm a new member, though I spent about 11 years in the industry. I've spent the past 2 years working for one of the world's largest financial institutions but have been kicking around the idea of coming back. I'm bored!

If you are coming back as a locator, with that many years of field experience, you would be an asset to any team and you need to come back.. You would be the Prodigal Son.

Now if you are coming back as a support staff type or as a management type position, I would prefer you to stay in your cubicle at one of the world's largest financial institutions and let someone within the ranks of field locator get the chance to move up the system. To me, a banker is a "bottom feeder" and not worth my time....... Just my 2 cents worth........ Luv ya Man!

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**MOJO** · March 9th, 2010, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Now if you are coming back as a support staff type or as a management type position, I would prefer you to stay in your cubicle at one of the world's largest financial institutions and let someone within the ranks of field locator get the chance to move up the system. To me, a banker is a "bottom feeder" and not worth my time....... Just my 2 cents worth........ Luv ya Man!

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LOL !!!

I was looking back through some of my old posts and saw this. I don't care who you are...that's friggin' funny!

Actually, I'm not a banker (although I do carry some licensure). I run process improvement and project management for one of the business units. I've been using this forum as a way of staying in touch with the industry, just in case I do make the move. I've still got friends in the game, but this venue gives me an idea of what's happening in other parts of the country.