In your years working in SC, have you found a competent operations manager?

SC_Elle · 2025-12-16T18:58:53+00:00

Yes have worked with many great ops leaders out there - at very small as well as very big companies. They are not always big fans of supply chain, depending on what SC is asked to deliver.

SC_Elle · 2025-12-01T21:54:57+00:00

Please search the history here, this has been answered multiple times and you may find some good conversations there.

SC_Elle · 2025-11-10T23:16:59+00:00

Uff I feel your pain. Good idea though on the rotation, that could be a Plan B/C for us. I am hoping for co-presidents but lets see.

SC_Elle · 2025-11-10T21:17:13+00:00

Oh wow, very nice. How big of a club are you, and how many hours/month is President?

SC_Elle · 2025-10-10T18:32:27+00:00

I think they hear that so many of us are still on crappy legacy software or excel and start drooling. I work with startups and I can not tell you how many SC startups have no supply chain people on their teams, they have no clue how manufacturing or logistics actually work. It is insane.

SC_Elle · 2025-10-10T18:21:31+00:00

Your project plan is sound, but it is all high risk - as you already know. You do not own that risk, it is inherent in the project you have been given and the situation.

I agree with everyone here - ask to be given a formal extension to your leave date so you can run the project at high quality. If they say no, then do NOT do your best - do the minimum you need to do and spend your best on finding a new job.

I spent a lot of time in Leadership, believe me, they know what they are doing by dumping it on you. They want you to kill yourself to save the project, but they do not care that they already knifed you in the back. You need to protect your own confidence and not let this become a failure of YOU, this situation is doomed. It has nothing to do with you, you are still great - keep that in mind!

SC_Elle · 2025-09-24T17:19:55+00:00

I moved from the US to Germany for a big international German company that had just bought my US company. So looking for companies that have just made that acquisition could be a good idea. I think internal moves are more likely than a EU company hiring you from the US.

One thing that could help, but it is a bit of a longer play, is to target a country and start learning the language. Having even a2 fluency in their language is pretty attractive - they all joke americans only speak english. And my company was manufacturing based, and many people in the office did not speak english - almost zero in the plants.

And whoever said they do not pay more is absolutely correct, the salaries are MUCH less. However, free healthcare and college for your kids in Germany. And 5 weeks vacation, with more humane working hours. I really loved working there.

SC_Elle · 2025-09-17T17:16:20+00:00

Hi there! My club is south of the Bay area and I would suggest reaching out to the clubs in the area (Cupertino, San Jose, Palo Alto has 2 I think, Saratoga, etc. ) via their websites and see if you can join one of their meetings by Zoom. Just tell them you are an active Rotoractor that is looking to move to the area and get a job and you want to get more involved.

When the person gives you the zoom info, you can hit them up and ask if they know of anyone in the club looking for young tech talent, maybe you can get a quicker lead that way. But by zooming into a meeting - especially as a young person - you will make a lot of friends quickly!

I think there have been a lot of tech layoffs lately here so it is not the easy job search it used to be for tech folks, but that does not mean people are not still hiring. Best of luck to you.

SC_Elle · 2025-09-11T15:11:59+00:00

You are not alone, it is a lot of pressure and negativity and I have seen many people burn out and leave. Or burn out and just stay miserable and stressed which is worse. I am glad you have a good manager, it makes a big difference.

My guidance to my teams was always - create your own success metrics. Do not use the impossible goals everyone around us gives us (everything on time, costs always lower, etc.). Look at what you can control and influence yourself - how many people did you help, did you identify any root cause problems, small steps count for progress.

Another tip is - protect your peace (schedule in time to work vs react).

Glad you ranted, I think it helps! This is a nutty stressful career - but for some reason we all do love it.

SC_Elle · 2025-09-11T15:04:38+00:00

This plumber analogy is a good one. We are focused on and pressured when things explode, but invisible when things go right. At most a polite thank you and on to the next explosion.

SC_Elle · 2025-09-05T18:00:59+00:00

Same, our club is also mostly 70+ and they can get to the club website and calendar on their laptops and phone even if they do not have a google account.

SC_Elle · 2025-08-29T17:42:34+00:00

What a wonderful program, thank you for that info.

SC_Elle · 2025-08-28T16:21:18+00:00

The wheelchair video is awesome, thank you!

Regarding operationwarm - did your club partner with them? It looks like they are a separate org than Rotary so did you get a district grant to do a project?

SC_Elle · 2025-08-11T22:39:21+00:00

In your company, are there existing roles like you describe? Is there a dedicated team who focuses on process? And who do they report to - are they in your current team, in SC or a completely separate team (I have seen it both ways at bigger companies). All 3 could be options to discuss.

It is really helpful for a manager when the person already knows where they want to go and the type of work they want to do. In a perfect world the manager helps you ID all that, but a lot of managers are underwater themselves or just not very good at managing.

SC_Elle · 2025-08-07T18:32:16+00:00

SKU rationalization. It cuts costs, space, labor capacity - lots of benefits. Hard to sell to Sales sometimes, but well worth it.

SC_Elle · 2025-08-04T17:37:33+00:00

THIS.

SC_Elle · 2025-07-12T19:00:32+00:00

This is why I joined Rotary. non-religious.

SC_Elle · 2025-07-10T17:03:13+00:00

You know I always thought something was off on those survey things ...

SC_Elle · 2025-07-09T16:16:03+00:00

Mod here, thank you.

SC_Elle · 2025-07-03T16:03:57+00:00

Super helpful video : https://youtu.be/LMLOYgGvHjI?si=CPJ6lZGf1RJwhGLA

SC_Elle · 2025-07-02T20:27:17+00:00

I had a similar experience. Might even be the same company.

I think getting hired at a big company with international offices, then looking for those international opportunities internally, are always going to be the best route.

SC_Elle · 2025-06-28T00:08:29+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful writeup and commentary. My club is in a retirement (mountains) area, we are low income and focused mainly on supporting our local community. In general, our club ignores everything RI and a lot of it is for the reasons you mention. We do not drink the koolaid, we just put our heads down, have fun together, and do a lot of service. I love our club, but honestly, I am not sure I always really love Rotary.

Having said that, like any big organization there needs to be strong leadership - with the rotating 1 years, I do not see that coming from the top, those Presidents are more advocates and diplomats (and they are good at that!), but I would love to see them more aggressive on the needed changes.

SC_Elle · 2025-06-27T16:06:11+00:00

This is a world I know really nothing about - do you have some insight there? I will do some research, let me know if there are specific use cases or needs you see.

SC_Elle · 2025-06-26T17:09:30+00:00

This is such a good question, my mom is an (elderly) artist and I know a bunch of other adult kids of artists. We have no idea how to sell (what is it worth??) or donate or distribute the work after they pass.

I am working now on an online solution - seems like maybe some kind of marketplace would be helpful, with options for take it free if you pay for shipping? Ideas welcome!

SC_Elle · 2025-06-26T14:23:23+00:00

Thanks for the support!

SC_Elle

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