Anyone have any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I have a problem... Maybe one of you managers out there can help. Here's the situation... Currently there is no CAD Manager where I work, and a person I work with, who has been with my company 5 yrs longer than I, thinks that the only way to do things is their way. In fact, I know for sure that this person wants to be my manager, and has even talked to my boss about it. However, currently I handle more than 1/2 the work load, and manage 10-15 customers and 100-150 designs. I also am responsible for maintaining records and answering to the boss for for all the CAD Dept. as far as time maintenance, etc. However, the boss favors this person because they have been here longer, and the boss doesn't realize all that I do and am responsible for. Basically it boils down to this, I am doing a lot of the work, and this person is taking a lot of the credit for glory for themselves when they can. Anyone have any suggestion or advice so that I can keep this person from becoming my manager just because they have been at my company longer and socially (EDITED) if you know what I mean?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, "time on the job" has a lot to do with the position. I was
able to get around the same situation by going corporate.
Here is my situation:
I work for a fairly large company. (130 employees) I worked in the civil
department for 5 years and saw that I would never move up until two guys
ahead of me (time wise) retired. Which could be never. I started looking at
my options. I like the company a lot and most of the people are great to
work with. I could change departments but then I would be low man on the
totem pole again. So I noticed that what we really needed was standards and
inter-office communication. I decided that I would like to try and be the
person to make that happen. I tried for a year to get the company to realize
the need for the CADD Administrator position. Finally 2 years later I got
them to give me a try and 16 months later I am still here. I know that this
will not be the answer for everyone but it is what I was able to do.

Good luck to you,
Ken Switzer

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest making suggestions directly to the powers that be (avoiding the
other guy). It should become obvious who the best man for the job is. Once
you've established and demonstrated your abilities to improve efficiency you
have a case for either leaving or being given more responsibility.

I was in this position a few years back. No CAD management. Long time
employees having the bosses ear. I pointed out major problems including
needless code writing, no training, no standards, software piracy, etc. I
ended up leaving to go into consulting for myself because the "old boy"
network wouldn't listen to common sense. The guy who had been there the
longest was telling whole departments to explode all mtext in drawings
received from the Survey department because it didn't work with his lisp
routines... amazing.

The kicker is that the company just went from Softdesk/Acad14 to LDD2/A2K
and called me for a lot of help with implementation and setup. Poetic
justice.

I'd hang in a while and try to have some impact but any longer than a year
and the frustration may not be worth it and you'll want to consider moving
on.

Bud Miller
www.BudCAD.com

"Ken Switzer" wrote in message
news:8964DB787506DE50CA2053CD55172B66@in.WebX.SaUCah8kaAW...
> Unfortunately, "time on the job" has a lot to do with the position. I was
> able to get around the same situation by going corporate.
> Here is my situation:
> I work for a fairly large company. (130 employees) I worked in the civil
> department for 5 years and saw that I would never move up until two guys
> ahead of me (time wise) retired. Which could be never. I started looking
at
> my options. I like the company a lot and most of the people are great to
> work with. I could change departments but then I would be low man on the
> totem pole again. So I noticed that what we really needed was standards
and
> inter-office communication. I decided that I would like to try and be the
> person to make that happen. I tried for a year to get the company to
realize
> the need for the CADD Administrator position. Finally 2 years later I got
> them to give me a try and 16 months later I am still here. I know that
this
> will not be the answer for everyone but it is what I was able to do.
>
> Good luck to you,
> Ken Switzer
>

[Anonymous]

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You should also be
talking to your boss as much as you can, and getting guidance from him as to
what you can do to make yourself invaluable. If you think you are already
invaluable, try taking a 4 week
vacation.

size=2> 

Before you go, make sure that everyone asks you
all the questions that they need to know, because during the 4 weeks you are
on vacation you will be incommunicado. Do not call the office, or answer any
calls or pages during this period of time. It's best if you can be out of the
country. Upon your return, you will find that
your value can now be measured.

It might work, but there are no
guarantees.

[pkirill]

I agree with the getting in there and talking to your boss. But additionally, the absolute best way to prevent this guy from becoming your boss is to quit. You can't cry about someone else working the system to get ahead. Start slowly and quietly looking for a new job - polish the resume, develop a kick-a%% cover letter, and start sending it out. Maybe it takes a week, maybe 6 months. In the mean time, you are in control of your life. Which is what it's all about anyway, right? If you're as advanced as you say, find that management job somewhere else. It was the best thing I ever did. I left my old job - one that I swore I loved, I had friends there, clients knew me and asked for me repeatedly by name, I had a window seat, fastest machine in the office - but after the second year of "we just can't afford raises this year, you understand don't you?" I slowly started packing my things. Now I'm a Cad Manager for a company that appreciates the posisition and pays well for it. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

This worked for me....whenever you answer a question, write it down, whenever you fix someones machine keep a log of it. Basically keep a journal of what you do. Once you get a pretty good amount of things in your journal stop being the "go to guy" and direct all questions to the guy who wants to take your position. If he can't handle the responsibilities then perhaps your boss will see this. Show the journal to your boss and make sure he knows what exactally you are doing.

[kartz]

That's what I am doing. I am trying to make management see that I am doing the work of a CAD Manager without any of the compensation. I keep a daily diary in which I record who came to me for help, what the problem was, how I fixed it and how long it took. Even when I call our vendor for tech support I log it. I consider that to be on-the-job training for me and try to get as much info as I can about the problem when I call. These discussion groups have been my guiding light and my inspiration, thanks to all who have contribited.
Kim Artz