A recent survey conducted by Forrester Research states that companies are less likely to outsource their database administration than any other IT functionality. Does that make you sleep better at night?
Personally, my contacts in the industry continue to talk about cut backs and outsourcing at all levels, and everyone's opinion seems to be the direct opposite of the rosier picture this survey paints. So what is the real truth?
The fact of the matter is that the management in many organisations is still focused on short term profitability, and the only way many of them know how to achieve that is by cutting expenses. Furthermore, most companies have already chewed their way through those employees they have deemed "expendable" and are now faced with finding ways to eliminate as many of those that remain and still keep things running. Combine this with many technically talented individuals in economically impoverished countries who are willing to work for next to nothing, compared with salaries in most Western countries, and the handwriting seems to be on the wall.
So how does one prevent being downsized or outsourced? The short answer is -- you can't. If someone is determined to send you along that path, there is little you can do to stop it, no matter how brilliant, wise, funny, or good looking you may be.
On the other hand, while you can't stop it from happening, there are things you can do to delay your departure, influence the decision, or remain one of the last men/women standing. You can lump these strategies into personal strategies for yourself and strategies for your program, area, or department.
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Also, even if you are the smoothest running operation and no one hears a peep out of your department because things are so good, you are not safe. Assuming that good work is acknowledged and/or appreciated on its own is a mistake. Just because things are going swimmingly does not mean that anyone takes notice. In fact, it is the nature of the database business that smooth operation means no one is screaming about something going wrong. However, you have to make some noise. Let people know how well you are doing and why. Out of sight is out of mind and people need to be reminded about good performance. Bad performance is never forgotten.
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