I’m an immigrant working in the USA, I came here because of the promise of a better tomorrow, a meritocracy, a seat at the table at big tech, and for a while it felt real but then my company was acquired by a larger entity and it all went to shit, now I’m in a race to show I’m the most competent and dedicated person with the most technological knowledge to keep my job and not get layed off.
If I ask my manager or my director a question or challenge their thought process I get called into a 1 on 1 meeting where I’m told I’m a great asset to the team but me asking questions of them in a team setting sets a bad example, and my questions aren’t in bad faith infact in the meeting I was lauded for asking the right questions, but being pulled aside and being asked to kiss the ring felt disgusting.
At one point in my career I cared about what I did and who I worked for I felt pride over my product and my team, and all I feel now is shame to be associated with my company, I feel disgusted with myself that I work not for my customers but for shareholder value.
So I guess my question if any is are there still companies that exist in the USA or outside that still give a fuck about what they’re doing and not just inflate that companies value so it can be sold or keep the stock price going up.
I would love to live and work somewhere where my value isn’t determined by how much money I van make or how much shareholder value I increase, I wouldn’t have to worry about a visa and if I can/will be kicked out if I’m no longer employed.
I could go back home but the work culture there is atrocious it was the reason why I had left, I lasted 5 months and I couldn’t take it and put in my 2 weeks to go to the US for a Masters degree in Computer Sciences.
I’m sorry that this turned into more of a rant than anything else but I’m at a point where I don’t really know what I want to do anymore, any advice or conversation is appreciated.
There are tech companies who don’t want to sell. I started my tech company 9 years ago and we did almost $5M last year. My plan is to do this for next 20 years and then sell to my employees. Sure there’s a number big enough that I’d sell my company but so far any acquisition offers have been met with snark and disrespect (from me) and died pretty quick. I talk to other tech owners in similar boats. We just don’t need to tell everyone because we aren’t trying to get acquired. One vocal exception is 37 Signals.
Why not start the process of transforming it into a coop sooner? I know a business owner getting ready to retire, in the same boat as you. Except now he’s gonna have finance the sale for them and not all of them want to be an owner. To me, that is silly, but more power, more problems.
Well I’m at least 20 years from retirement. so I’ve got time. I’m looking into several options including coop and ESOP. First 5 years of business was living off savings and raiding retirement funds instead of getting investors. At present I’m aiming for selfish goals of repaying myself and saving for my kids.