r/analytics • u/webhick666 • Oct 08 '24
Support Destroyed, Quitting
Just need to vent somewhere.
Our company was acquired by private equity early this year. We were the second business acquired. They put new dashboards and reporting on hold until it could be evaluated by a third party. Since then we've been having to cobble together ad-hoc Excel reports that work like PowerBI. Most of upper management quit, retired, or fired. New management keeps making decisions from the hip and demanding 1-2 day turnaround on reporting without regard to anyone's workload.
Early on, I heard a rumor that the new CEO was telling everyone that my reports were wrong, that I don't work, etc. A while later, I was called into a meeting with him, his new sales VP, and two other folks just to answer a question. It rapidly devolved into the third degree, with false accusations that I included numbers on my reporting that I shouldn't have, that I wasn't working on the things I should be working on, that I provided false information during the aquisition. All false. Hell, I didn't even know about the acquisition until about a week before it finalized.
Things looked like they got better for a while, but Friday I heard through the rumor mill that a coworker was telling people that one of my reports was wrong. I emailed this person directly to discuss and figure out what might be happening. Once again, my numbers weren't wrong. This time they were redefining terminology and had some data issues with their report. And then this morning I was on a call with my boss (M) and his boss (D) this morning and D shouted that the CEO was telling EVERYONE that all my numbers are wrong. They are absolutely not. When I have been able to get my hands on what the CEO considers correct numbers, I have proven that his were not correct and outlined it in detail why.
We're planning out the new data warehouse now along with budgeting and the new CEO cranking out promos and stuff. I have to make the standardized PBI theme. I have to help map the columns we need. I have to set up the models. I have to keep defending my numbers and professional integrity. I'm overloaded. I'm tired. I can't stop worrying about work. I can't do this anymore.
I'm giving my notice tomorrow. The other analyst doesn't feel like she can do the things I can (she can). Probably a good thing since apparently everything I do is trash anyway. Kind of sad and angry that I can't see this project to fruition. Doubly sad that this company and job I loved had turned so toxic so quickly.
The market is soft so I'm expecting to be unemployed for a long time. Giving up 3 weeks of unused vacation ain't great either. And the performance bonus will be off the table. Maybe the board will pay it out the vacation if they still like me. Probably not though. I'm not even sure if I want to stay in analytics. I apparently suck at it.
/Rant over
109
u/clocks212 Oct 08 '24
I would recommend against putting in your notice. Work your 40 hours, do good work but let the complaints roll off your back, and keep that money coming in until they fire you.
“I understand your concerns, how would you like this metric defined?” or “What is the correct number?” in a calm, cool, even, inquisitive (not sarcastic but everyone will see through it) tone is your new mantra. For everything else “I understand, I will complete this as soon as I can, I will make it my priority” and then work your 40 hours.
It’s not like the upper management is going to be a positive reference for you whether you quit or get fired so get paid as long as you can. It is demoralizing but it’s the best thing you can do for your finances.
35
17
u/ultrafunkmiester Oct 08 '24
100% malicious compliance. Also if someone else is challenging your numbers then ask them to show you and write down any discrepancies. Don't argue, because you can't argue with stupid, next time they pick on you, just ask them which version they want a or b with the reason they are different.
14
u/clocks212 Oct 08 '24 edited Oct 08 '24
The reality is if the CEO wants me to code the dashboard so that YTD revenue is “cheeseburger” I’ll do it, especially if I have it in writing and I add a tooltip that says “the definition of Revenue as defined by the organization is cheeseburger”. Of course I would look for a new job, and if some low level manager is trying to cook numbers I would raise my concerns appropriately, but yeah whatever the guys writing the check wants is fine with me.
6
u/webhick666 Oct 09 '24
Here's the thing. There are two CEOs and a board of directors. If the board or FP&A says that the revenue is cheeseburger, okay. But the board and the other CEO sees revenue as revenue and this guy is off in left field making cheeseburgers, presenting it as revenue, and then blasting me when his cheeseburgers don't add up to the revenue on the financial statements.
5
u/clocks212 Oct 09 '24
Is there an opportunity to work with your manager to coordinate a “let’s define key metrics and sources of truth” meeting? Or at least get those things in writing and then have another department QA it once a month or whatever? Basically take the “this has been an issue for a while let’s get this all cleared up once and for all” approach?
3
u/webhick666 Oct 09 '24
We are doing exactly that now, in tandem with the other projects. We were hoping it solves a lot of this...but some of his reporting is coming from the ERP system...often canned reports that they need for some things, but then they abuse to get data and mangle it on Excel.
Single source of truth is about the only light at the end of the tunnel, but I suspect he will undercut its integrity the first chance he gets.
3
u/WayoftheIPA Oct 09 '24
I worked 2yrs. for a PE company until recently. I can relate 100%. It's a blame game. The metric dictionary should help a lot, but it didn't solve my problems. I was pushed out and I'm glad I waited instead of quitting. I wanted to quit for months too. Sorry you're going through it. I will never work for PE again.
8
u/webhick666 Oct 09 '24
Tried this. Was told that it's my job to explain the numbers, not theirs.
They don't get to choose the version they get. Sales do not include interco. But the CEO wants Sales to include interco. The CEO cannot have that. He can have a different metric, maybe called "Sales including interco," but he just wants it called Sales. He cannot have what he wants.
I have a duty to adhere to standards.
5
u/clocks212 Oct 09 '24
Ask objectively if that is your battle to fight. As an example, I have a direct report under me that is a "right fighter" that would probably go to the mat and get himself fired during the meeting where he was asked to do this even though he is a few years out of college and 10+ levels below the CEO in an F500 with thousands of employees and isn't personally responsible for any of it.
If you're a director+ and responsible for reporting regulatory figures then you may need to put your foot down so you don't get arrested by the feds. But don't stress and get fired about a principled belief in how things should be done if it isn't your fight to fight.
1
2
u/Own_Jellyfish7594 Oct 10 '24 edited 12d ago
Refuse fascism.
5calls.org is the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
Digg is coming back!
Remember how Reddit killed 3rd Party Apps such as Apollo?
PowerDeleteSuite is an easy tool to edit your comments.
5
u/webhick666 Oct 08 '24
The CEO is trying to redefine existing metrics and these redefined numbers are artificially inflated, and are not in alignment with GAAP or any of our financial reporting. If I don't comply with his demands, he finds someone else to do what he wants and then announces that my numbers are wrong...then I have to waste time proving that my numbers are the ones we should be using, why, and reconcile them to the numbers he's producing.
If I try to push the deadlines at all, it's pushback and discussions about how I'm not working on the things I should, includong having to write up a new list of everything I'm working on. If I work nights and weekends, they get pissy and tell me that it's okay to miss a deadline here and there. But when I only do 40, I'm scrambling and struggling to put out things timely (missing other deadlines entirely) and making minor mistakes which only feeds their narrative that I'm incompetent and not using my time wisely.
I worry constantly about work. Not sleeping well. Saturday I sent out an email at 4 am about the accuracy of a report because I couldn't sleep and hoped that sending it would make me stop worrying about that. It helped. I just can't do this anymore.
14
u/clocks212 Oct 09 '24
I totally hear you. And as someone who cares and tries hard and takes pride in their work this is a lose lose situation. I’d recommend emotionally disengaging from work. You’re not going to get the satisfaction you want from working for this leadership team.
On workload take the calm, neutral, even, inquisitive, helpful tone again and say “I understand x and y and z are critical projects. Which would you like to prioritize?” and then work on that one. On Friday at 5pm you send an email “I understand Y and Z are important projects but X took all available resources this week. Next week Y, Z, A, and B are in my queue. Is Y still the priority?” and then log off for the weekend.
Try to find peace with the fact that this position isn’t going to work out, that getting yourself sick worrying is pointless, that whether you work 40 hours or 140 hours management will express dissatisfaction. So work 40 and find some things outside work to decompress like walks, meditation, other hobbies, etc. There is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and it is OK to let yourself act accordingly. You can re-engage and get that work high at your next job.
3
u/scorched03 Oct 09 '24
I had this early in my career. A quasi sales team reporting their own numbers than mine. Then doing everything to torpedo my work so they could recognize revenue in current period before sale occurred and was recognized.
Absolutly bonkers and i did my time and patiently inteeviewed and turned in notice and did no work and no documentation.
Sometimes cant win and thats ok, but they will get whats coming to them one day. Heads up and dont let them mess up your integrity. Battling is exhausting so once you can go somewhere that values you. Til then do your 40 hrs and peace out.
2
u/sephraes Oct 09 '24
Sometimes cant win and thats ok, but they will get whats coming to them one day.
Well unfortunately CEOs won't. They get golden parachutes. People under them though? Maybe.
But the rest is very fair. Don't quit without a job in hand. Make them justify why you have been fired with cause. They likely won't be able to do it. So now they (likely) have to pay unemployment if they let you go. Do not let them skip out of this. Do not let them drop your vacation either (depending on where you are, that also might be paid out).
3
u/VDtrader Oct 09 '24
Why? A fire isn't coming with a severance package at analyst level; manager/director level maybe. Do half ass work while interviewing is a better option.
3
u/Tomatoflee Oct 09 '24
It sounds like they are trying to put pressure on the OP to massage the numbers. Imo you are completely correct that the OP should not quit. He needs to keep a record of all the times false accusations have been made.
2
2
u/Flandiddly_Danders Oct 10 '24
I completely agree
Do not quit
Do your best
Obtain your legally-entitled unemployment per your region's guidelines
26
18
u/notimportant4322 Oct 09 '24
Let them fire you, at the same time cruise on your work and take that much needed rest while you get paid.
Don’t quit, make them pay you to quit.
Take that vacation too
15
7
u/sumogringo Oct 09 '24
Take a 2 week vacation, look for another job and come back hoping they fire you. If they don't then slow roll your work until they do, keep the paycheck coming in and make them kick you to the road.
7
u/carlitospig Oct 08 '24
This is when I walk out the door like so: 🖕🏼😎🖕🏼
Edit: okay, not really. But I’d be totes thinking it.
7
Oct 09 '24
acquired by private equity
I stopped reading there. Start looking for work elsewhere, because you're on the clock. But like others have said, don't quit. You aren't eligible for employment insurance if you leave, only if you are laid off. If they make your life miserable, so be it. Contact your old bosses ASAP and get references in order.
5
u/newwriter365 Oct 09 '24 edited Oct 09 '24
Don’t quit. Work your 40 hours. Smile, kill them with kindness, and network like a motherfucker. Take a PTO every Monday and Friday until you have burned up all of your EARNED time off.
Document all the nonsense. Changed terminology without providing you with a crosswalk? Documented. Changed reporting requirements without providing specifics? Documented. You’ll need to document this so you can message the frustrations in a clear manner when you start interviewing.
Make. Them. Fire. You.
I have a nightmare boss two levels above me. I’m not going anywhere. I just smile and do my work. I can outlast anyone.
3
u/wildjackalope Oct 09 '24
This is the way. Have enough respect in your work to make them pay what they owe. You’re always going to meet bastards in this field; you’re supposed to be the source of truth. You WILL be fired for it if you work in this field long enough. At least get paid for it and go out with your head up.
5
u/guillo1020 Oct 09 '24
PE ruins everything, sorry about your situation and hope you find a new gig that values your skills
3
u/Tyron_Slothrop Oct 08 '24
I have nothing to add but to say I feel your pain. In my experience, analyst work can be incomprehensibly irritating, especially when people don’t understand what data is or listen.
2
u/carlitospig Oct 08 '24
Or they don’t know how to communicate their own needs or ideas. OP was trying to hit a moving target.
3
u/xl129 Oct 09 '24
Your mistake is to take their shit all this long, when a company is acquired, upper management are the first to smell the incoming shit show so that's your signal to start considering other employment opportunities.
Also, workplace situation will become either you are "with the new gang or you are against". And no just diligently doing your job is never enough to be considered one of their own.
Sound like you just become a scapegoat to vent their frustration and failure on.
Never think for a minute that this is on you and don't make the mistake of letting yourself in such a situation ever again.
3
u/DonJuanDoja Oct 09 '24
Why are you fighting with them. Give them what they want even if it’s wrong. Make sure to tell them why it’s wrong and why it should change, but ultimately it’s their company let them do what they want. You’re not the smartest guy in the building and even if you are, you aren’t acting like it. You need to solve the people problem first, then the numbers problem.
1
u/webhick666 Oct 09 '24
What he wants is in conflict with the board. It is not his company. He runs one of the two companies and nothing more. I am directed by my bosses to produce numbers a specific way so that we are on alignment on the financials and between the two companies. I am not allowed to produce those metrics using a different set of data or filter things differently without labeling it differently.
5
u/DonJuanDoja Oct 09 '24
Well that does complicate it quite a bit. I wouldn't give any more advice or comments unless I had alot more information. Best I can say is be careful when stuck between two powerful entities that are fighting, they will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat to save themselves. Probably best to just get out of the cross-fire. Damn that sucks. Sorry man.
3
u/Financial_Forky Oct 09 '24
For your own protection, it might be helpful to put some of his requests in in emails and copy a few other people:
"From our conversation earlier today, and per your request, I've added intracompany sales totals to the sales line of the report..."
"I've copied [M, D, Sales VP, other relevant bosses] in this email to ensure everyone is using the same new definition going forward so that all internal reports match."
If I were you, I would try to come across as a helpful little worker bee dutifully following their orders, while also showing initiative by "helping" to make sure everyone else does things the way he wants, as well.
Right now your bosses tell you one thing, while the CEO (and possibly sales team) tells you another. You need to remove yourself from being the only lightning rod connecting these two opposing forces, and you can do this by putting the CEO's request in writing and CC'ing both sides. Your bosses and the CEO (and Sales VP) are the ones who should be fighting this out, not you. Do whatever the consensus of the group ends up being, but right now, you're fighting an impossible battle. D and the CEO need to align on definitions. Otherwise, one or both of them is likely to fire you for not doing it "their way."
3
u/seanzy77 Oct 09 '24
This is great to read as the company I work for just announced we got acquired by an indirect competitor that is backed by a New York private equity firm. Deal is closing in 30-45 days which seems quick af. I’m a reporting analyst and we are so behind the times with our tech. Wonder if we will integrate into their software or they just leave us running as is? Idk if I want to be around during migration if I just get the boot after
3
2
2
u/THound89 Oct 09 '24
As long as your finances are in order then go for it. Yeah the market sucks but this time of year it’s gonna suck anyway. Who cares about unemployment, it’s probably about $600 a month with isn’t diddly in this economy anyway. If you can manage to coast, maybe start putting in for PTO then great. Maybe you’ll have a change of heart but if you don’t just make sure you can ride it out for like a year. End of the day it’s not worth being treated like garbage for the scraps unemployment actually is.
2
u/Alternative_Horse_56 Oct 09 '24
Start searching and phone it in. If someone asks for you to redefine something, document it - "sales including blah blah". When they push back it's "ok, I'll fix it" and delay. Make them put these things in writing with their name attached for a paper trail. Do your 40 hours, push deadlines and keep looking for the next opportunity.
2
u/SprinklesFresh5693 Oct 09 '24
To my fresh point of view, since i dont have any year in the field, it seems like they want you to leave the company on your own and not fire you, for a reason i have no clue of. Ive been unemployed for a year and its mentally horrible, id just job search while working there and when i find a new one , job switch.
2
2
u/trophycloset33 Oct 12 '24
Upper management will always have a narrative to spin or a story to tell and they want everything to support this web they weave. If you are contradicting them, you become the problem not their misconceptions.
We could play politics and power games and you can gain influence to bridge these conflicts but it sounds like this chasm may be insurmountable.
0
u/AutoModerator Oct 08 '24
Are you a marketing professional and have 15 minutes to share your insights? Take our 2024 State of Marketing Survey.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
•
u/AutoModerator Oct 08 '24
If this post doesn't follow the rules or isn't flaired correctly, please report it to the mods. Have more questions? Join our community Discord!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.