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Oakton loses Victorian chief

By Suzanne Tindal, ZDNet.com.au on December 18th, 2009

Topics

scammell, oakton, wilson, fretz, victoria, outsourcing

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ASX-listed IT services firm Oakton has nabbed a former IBM Global Services executive to replace its departing Victoria general manager, former Hewlett-Packard executive, Chirstine Scammell.

Oakton chief Neil Wilson told ZDNet.com.au that Scammell had tendered her resignation and was due to finish up soon. She had joined Oakton in April 2008 from Hewlett-Packard.

Scammell had been hired just after the appointment of former chief operating officer Steve Parker, also from Hewlett-Packard. Parker's role was made redundant earlier this year.

"She's resigned which was disappointing," Wilson said. However, he said he had turned the bad news into an opportunity by hiring someone of high calibre to lead Victoria which accounts for 40 per cent of the company's business.

The company had carried out an extensive search for a replacement and had decided on Mark Fretz, who will move to Oakton from IBM Global Business Services. He starts in January.

"We've done very well to secure Mark," Wilson said. "He has global experience and outsourcing experience."

Wilson acknowledged that there was a small contingent of employees which would look upon Scammell's departure with distrust, but he said those employees were a minority. He saw Fretz's appointment as a positive.

Wilson said he had spent a lot of time recently talking to employees.

Talkback

But everything is fine isn't it?

According to "da management"...? Well...isn't it?

No RootsNo Roots December 18th, 2009
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Disappointed - hard to fathom

Wilson's disappointment is hard to fathom. Email issued re her departure contained a one line thank you reference only. It would appear she had been ignored & sidelined ever since Parker departed.

distrustful minoritydistrustful minority December 18th, 2009
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Crocodile Dissapointment (tears)

Can ZDNet ask Wilson if Christine was pressured to leave rather than she tendered her resignation.

Everyone in market is saying she has been made to leave - don't understand when will Oakton Management learn to call "a spade" = "a spade".

AnonymousAnonymous December 22nd, 2009
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Scammell replacement

Mark Frtetz's lined in profile says "13 Years of Armed forces operational commissioned service" . Gunna need it to deal with the disgrunteld minority. Handy backgroud.

AnonymousAnonymous December 18th, 2009
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(un)lucky number

13 years sure would be handy be handy if the management number is 13 - ie 1 year experience for 1 management person. Otherwise also there is always a 14th :)

AnonymousAnonymous December 22nd, 2009
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Presence

Will anyone notice she has gone. Did anyone apart from those needing a seat or tasked with the horrific endless invoice issues due to hopeless non existent backend systems have anything to do with her.Management has been ignoring her ever since Parker left..... let's hope she has found something more fulfilling too like the cast of others who have left or are in the process of leaving the building.

AnonymousAnonymous December 21st, 2009
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email Presence

I got told that she never spoke to the general employees. Never interacted at the client sites, even client lunches and office staff meetings.

Everyone knew her as a person who would send around email (one in 2 - 3 months) which could have been sent by the reception desk also.

Oakton - what a disgrace and what a waste of money earned by your employees.

AnonymousAnonymous December 22nd, 2009
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Shy?

Maybe she was just shy?

Or gun shy? ooops given military appointment good reason to be shy.

AnonymousAnonymous December 23rd, 2009
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Something is not right

As an observer of technology companies, I am amazed at the significant number of senior level executives and technical staff that have left Oakton through their own accord in recent times. Something isn't 'right' about the company, either culturally or the way management treats their staff. Due to the current climate, it isn't about pursuing better opportunities elsewhere.

ColinColin December 21st, 2009
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Bunch of Bradbury's

All of your observations are correct.

The management layers are stacked with a bunch of Bradbury's (ice skating olympic fame for those who don't remember) who have been there forever, who perpetuate protection of non performers who meet one criteria only supposedly a 'good bloke' who has been there forever. Those who are any good cannot succeed in such a climate & seek an exit or are pressured to leave.

AnonymousAnonymous December 21st, 2009
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recruiter warnings

Even recruiters are advising good candidates to stay away. Place has been off well before GFC. That's what I was told by several. They should know, they see all the people trying to get out.

AnonymousAnonymous December 21st, 2009
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Embarrassment

Oakton is a ship afloat on the sea without a rudder, a captain, or any crew with a modicum of competence. The CEO, MD and others need to own up to their failings and make changes. EVERY "manager" in the organisation in Victoria should have a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves what they are doing. Please, for the sake of your employees, resign and get a job in the public service where you belong. You are the blind mice that will lead Oakton over a cliff.

[Editor's comment: This talkback item was previously posted under the name "Mark Fry", an employee at Oakton. We have since verified Mark Fry did not post this talkback item.

Cheers,

Renai LeMay
News Editor
ZDNet.com.au]

AnonymousAnonymous December 30th, 2009
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