Job Loyalty, Replacement, and Scaling
Are you loyal? Most people want job loyalty and claim that they deliver but often fear it is not reciprocal. Is everyone at the risk of replacement?
You’ve probably heard it before, “Everyone is replaceable.” Sure, in the right context that is probably true.
Occasionally, I will hear stories of people being replaced by technology or very popular during the past four or five years was the movement of early retirement incentives.
In some regard, these things are rooted in truth. It might be about a numbers game. Improving the bottom line, decreasing expense, and having less business risk, they all seem to make sense.
You have to wonder though, are businesses making the switch for cheaper or for better?
Most businesses intend their decisions to result in making the business better. Some might quickly suggest that businesses will do both, go for cheaper and better.
Replacement or Scaling
The truth might be that the combination of cheaper and better is hard to find, unless the scaling is off. When the scaling is off, businesses will commonly right size.
If you are concerned about your employer being loyal to you, you might need to consider your cost of performance. Is your cost as compared to benefit a good business decision?
You might replace your television with one that is bigger, better, and with more features. Your car might be replaced with one that is better, rust free, and more mechanically sound. A cell phone, the same thing, better with more performance. All of these, unless the scaling is off seem to make sense.
The cost of ownership might change, you might pay less than you did when the technology was first introduced, but truly, you are making a purchase that has more bang for your buck.
Job Loyalty
It is common to see employees pursue continuing education that is not specifically relevant for their job. In addition, it is common to see employees pursue nothing insisting that their experience is worth more. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but it also may not signal job loyalty. (See other thoughts on this.)
Most businesses don’t replace people with cheaper. They replace people according to performance or scale. It is a value proposition.
You’ll replace your television, car, or cell phone, likely based on value and cost of ownership. You want better, or you are right sizing.
It might beg the question, “Are you loyal?”
– DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
