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New book reveals the truth about working in industry
I just happened across a new book by Scott Adams, author of the "Dilbert" comic strip. Adam's new book is titled "The Dilbert Principle", and it's chock full of truths about working in industry based on Adam's seventeen years as a cubicle dweller with a high tech mega-corporation.
Back in the 70's and 80's, corporate management could be characterized by the "Peter Principle". That is, people were promoted to new positions based on their competence in their previous jobs, until they reached their level of incompetence. Those were the good old days. Back then, you at least some hope that the people you were working for had once performed in a job like yours well enough to be promoted.
Now it's the '90's, and the "Dilbert Principle" is the best synthesis of the new management philosophy that I've seen yet. The "Dilbert Principle" holds that nowadays, corporations cannot afford to promote their competent people. If they did, there'd be no one who could actually do the work. So employees are chosen for management based on their incompetence.
Whether you agree or not, "The Dilbert Principle" makes for hilarious, and sometimes painful, reading. Get a copy before you decide to launch your career in industry.
- Frank
BTW, Adams publishes a newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe, send your email address to: ScottAdams@aol.com. His homepage is http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/
PPS I have no commercial connection with Scott Adams or his publisher.
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