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Please share your thoughts: does such a state-owned enterprise have any hope?

2009-03-31View Original

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My employer is an old state-owned coal chemical enterprise with a history of over 50 years; it falls under the category of enterprises that can benefit from some local policies aimed at supporting agriculture. It is a listed company, but its performance has always been poor; it belongs to the category of junk stocks with basically no themes that could be exploited for speculative purposes. It can be said that we had glorious times, and the employees have also passed on some precious corporate spirit. However, due to investing money in poor choices when profits were high, heavy losses were incurred. The current situation is one of Funding shortages, outdated manufacturing processes, old equipment, high energy consumption, high costs, and annual losses; it’s a business that earns insufficient amounts during peak seasons and cannot cover its expenses during off-peak times. In old state-owned enterprises like ours, there are few front-line workers; there are also few skilled workers, whether they are on shift or involved in maintenance work. There are many employees working in the office buildings. Many middle-level managers are very worldly-wise, and some of them are bureaucratic. It’s not that they lack the ability to handle production issues and keep production running, but when it comes to innovation, improving process conditions, and resolving bottleneck problems, few of them have the necessary skills. Front-line workers have developed many bad habits: smoking at work (smoking is really common here; no one worries about what might happen to them for smoking), doing personal tasks, sleeping at work (those on night shifts sleep at midnight, which is something everyone in the factory knows; it seems only those who don’t sleep are considered newsworthy), bragging, complaining, being unwilling to carry out inspections, submitting fake reports and analyses, failing to maintain the equipment, and neglecting to keep the workplace clean. There are not just a few such workers; they can be found to varying degrees in each workshop. They always complain about not being paid enough (there’s over 1000 as well), and they’re unwilling to work hard. They also know that the company won’t do anything drastic to them – at most it might deduct money from their salaries or transfer them to another position. (Here, it’s unclear whether it’s because they can’t or because they don’t dare; unless someone commits a crime, the company certainly won’t fire employees casually. It seems that working for a state-owned enterprise is like having a secure job for life.) But our new manager is really great – he’s bold, has a broad perspective, is willing to take risks, and cares deeply about the employees and technical staff. The factory managers are also very united. In terms of the workshop, my direct supervisor is highly competent, and the frontline staff there work well together. Although their salaries are not high (around 1,000 per month), they are very enthusiastic about their work, and they always support one another and cover for each other’s shortcomings while doing their tasks. It’s very comfortable to use. In summary: Is it possible for a company with a weak foundation and outdated management systems, but whose factory managers and frontline technical or functional staff are competent, to survive? If one relies not on strength or power, how much ability does one have on their own? Can a company have hope without major changes? Would major changes be like having surgery at the age of 80 – collapsing in pain before things even get better? I don’t know; please share some valuable suggestions!
Reply #22009-03-31
As long as your head is level, that’s fine; one ordinary bear makes a soldier, while a group of bears makes a general. Follow him and learn slowly; you will have your day to shine. Don’t count on working for a state-owned enterprise. We are mainly here in state-owned enterprises to study, not to make money.
Reply #32009-04-01
A good leader can make a significant difference; the top executive of a state-owned enterprise is extremely important for the development of that company.
Reply #42009-04-01
The chances are slim; it’s better to hurry up and learn skills that will benefit your development, leave as soon as possible, work on improving yourself, and build a better future.
Reply #52009-04-01
State-owned enterprises also have their own characteristics; for example, during this financial crisis, their impact was relatively smaller. As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse, so employees don’t have to worry about salary cuts or layoffs. The potential earnings might be slightly lower, but the work pressure is much less. If one can secure a minor position after a few years, the earnings could even be higher than those in foreign companies. If you feel there are no prospects for a career in this field, it’s better to learn as much as possible as soon as possible and then leave, considering it as a few years of training.
Reply #62009-04-01
Any type of enterprise has potential for success; it’s just that all three elements—right timing, favorable conditions, and harmonious teamwork—are essential. As the original poster said, with both favorable location and harmonious relationships in place, one still needs to consider external factors, that is, the influence of the broader environment.
Reply #72009-04-01
As you said, with good leadership and everyone working together, the company will improve! It is recommended to stay and build up your skills first.
Reply #82009-04-01
With good leadership and everyone working together, the company should have the potential to grow.
Reply #92009-04-01
The advantages of state-owned enterprises have provided a livelihood for many people, and the state of these people can also be attributed to the system. Thirty years have passed since the reforms, yet progress in businesses has been extremely limited. Old systems are deeply entrenched, and complex networks of relationships and such cannot be resolved by just one or two people; even the determination of a good leader may not be enough to break free from these constraints. We all hope companies will do well, but there are too many constraints. Hard! !
Reply #102009-04-01
I agree with the person above; just as one weak soldier leads to an entire weak army, whether a state-owned enterprise has a chance depends not on the people below, but on its leaders
Reply #112009-04-04
Each company faces different difficulties. State-owned enterprises offer relative stability but lower salaries, while private or foreign-owned companies provide higher wages but also greater work pressure.
Reply #122009-04-04
State-owned enterprises are not places to make money; they are places for training and learning
Reply #132009-04-04
Many state-owned enterprises have this problem: incompetent leaders who drive their troops to exhaustion! !
Reply #142009-04-05
I work in a state-owned enterprise as well, and I am well aware of this situation. But it is indeed a good place to learn*, whether in terms of doing things or being a person. So once you’ve “completed your studies,” just “rush out” and go. The sea and sky rely on fish to leap; the vast heavens allow birds to fly. As for such companies, let the market eliminate them! The only thing that’s worth worrying about is: **stop wasting our taxpayers’ money on such worthless projects!** ! !
Reply #152009-04-05
With state-owned enterprises, you don’t have to worry about them going bankrupt, nor do you need to worry about their profitability. Many decisions made by state-owned enterprises are set by the head office, and the regulations issued by the head office are determined based on the needs for energy distribution across different regions of the country. In fact, the greatest benefit of state-owned enterprises is to facilitate **macro-control over energy.
Reply #162009-04-05
When you have time, come and take a look; the world is very big.
Reply #172009-04-07
It is useless for the management and operation mechanisms of state-owned enterprises to not be fundamentally changed to adapt to the market. There needs to be a good system of rewards and punishments.
Reply #182009-04-09
It’s certainly a good thing to have a good leader, but what’s crucial is to see how the rest of the team can support his work. If the various bad habits listed by the original poster on floor 1 cannot be curbed at their root, the company will eventually suffer as a result.
Reply #192009-04-11
I’m glad to see everyone’s opinions; many of them really helped me understand certain things. Thank you. I’ll still ask everyone for help if I have any questions in the future.
Reply #202009-04-11
That makes a lot of sense. I completely agree with your view; it is said that a team led by a lion can defeat a team led by a goat.

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