Post on 14-Jan-2017
The Cheese Stands Alone
Managing Mergers, Reorganizations &Downsizing in Your Workplace
The Cheese Stands Alone
Natalie HamptonCollege of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CommunicationsN.C. State University
Writing Team Editing Team Graphics Team
CALS Communication Services
Video Team
Customer Service Team
Print Shop
Photography & Multimedia Team
Then one day…
CALS Communications(5 writers)
Editing Team
Graphics Team
…Somebody moved our cheese!
Video Team
Customer Service Team
Print Shop
Photography
University Communication Services
CALS Communications
And more people moved in…
Web Services(absorbed CALS Multimedia)
University News Services
Creative Services: Now University Communication Services
We felt like…
• We had been torn apart.
• Someone had eaten our lunch!
• It grated on our nerves.
Challenges for NC State
• Services: “If you had it before, you’ll have it after the merger.” But do we?
• Resources: “Dad, can I borrow the car? The laptop? Projector?”
• Where do we live?• Who do we report to now?
Opportunities for NC State
• CALS News Center: Rethinking the way we do web communications
• Chance to involve outside designers, when we need them
• Chance to work more closely with CALS Administration – report to Associate Dean
• Chance to cultivate new skills: Designing logos and publications, photography, some websites
More change on the way?
• July 2013: CALS expects to lose life sciences programs and up to a third of our students
• New dean in 2012• College Advancement proposal:
Move communications here?• What’s next when we lose people?
The Cheese Stands Alone
Sharon DowdyUniversity of Georgia
College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Graphics Team
UGA CAESOffice of Communications
Public Affairs Team
Then one day…
Writers/Editors
Graphic Artists
Communications & IT merge intoOffice of Communications & Technology
Services
Application Analysts
Web Designers
Administrative Assistants Computer Specialists
Getting to know one another
Public Affairs writer – AthensTransferred to Dean’s Office
Faith Peppers
Public Affairs writer – TiftonAccepts job with
Southern Farmer magazineBrad Haire
Two Public Affairs writers – AthensTransferred to UGA Public Affairs
Stephanie Schupska & April Sorrow
Come back! Don’t leave me!
I felt just a little worriedLike the cheese that stood alone
One web designer took aposition in the college’s
water/soil lab
One web designer decided not to return after maternity leave/pursue freelance opportunities
One computer specialist leftfor a position in private industry
IT departures, too
One server administrator transferred to the
UGA College of Public Health
Adjusting and Accepting
Accepting our differencesStrange left-brain people who love Excel spreadsheets arrive!
Becoming a unified team
The Cheese Stands Alone
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Educational Media
Sandi KarstensBrandon Schulte
Somebody really moved our cheese!
• 2010 – News about change: layoffs, merger and A LOT of uncertainty
• January - July 2011 – More changes: name change from CIT (Communications and Information Technology) to Educational Media, or EdMedia, a Service Center (charge for our services).
• February 2011 – Director changes
And we felt …
• How did all this affect EdMedia?– Physical Changes– Office Moral, Politics– Trust
• How did all this affect EdMedia?– Physical Changes– Office Moral, Politics– Trust
The cheese may have moved;but we are getting there?
• New Director Fall 2012– Marketing/Business Plan– Service Center• Rates• Finances
– Exciting Future
Top 10 Lessons Learned
• Expect the unexpected.• Stand up for yourself! Document
what you do.• Ask your clients to advocate for your
services.• New work arrangements can =
new opportunities.
Top 10 Lessons Learned
• Be open to working with new people.
• Ask questions, but don’t expect answers.
• Focus on the things you can control.
Top 10 Lessons Learned
• Learn to work smarter, not harder.
• Build a new skill set to fill in the gaps. • Change is inevitable -- learn to cope.
Thank you for joining us today!
Natalie, Sharon, Sandi, Brandon and Kay