I have read the comments about IT and agree with them entirely.
Problem #1: KLA-Tencor is in the semiconductor industry and experiencing zero to negative growth. As a result, the company is going downhill fast. So the CEO ordered the CIO to cut costs. CIO responds by outsourcing IT as much as possible. Now there is nothing wrong with this, since the company has to cut costs in order to survive. Many people have a problem with outsourcing, but cost cuts can make the difference between having and not having a job. Some blame the CEO, but seriously what can he do? His jobs is to keep the company running, he couldn’t care less about IT and the problems. As long as the CIO delivers the cost cuts, no problems.
Problem #2: Yes I do agree that many in IT management from the CIO, the directors, to the middle managers are all terrible, but seriously how can KLA-Tencor legally get rid of them? Those people are essentially watching over a ship that is slowly sinking. As long as they do the bare minimum, they don’t have to worry and get paid a high salary. They are doing what they are told, and they lie to make it look like they are working hard. So legally KLA-Tencor cannot fire or dismiss any of them with any cause. Further anyone who sees the problems and challenges them are forced out or shouted down.
Problem #3: IT management is struggling with addressing ethics violations. This is hilarious since IT management are the ones who are committing the ethics violations. So since they stay, the ethics problems continue.
Problem #4: KLA-Tencor does not care about IT workers. If they want to outsource to save money, fine, but do an orderly transition to help existing IT staff.
Problem #5: KLA-Tencor is old, very hierarchical, and very institutional. As a result, promotions and advancement are based on seniority, not ability or capability. Example: Person A who knows jack with 10+ years working at KLA will be promoted to management much faster than Person B who knows more with 2 years working at KLA. So those who are in IT management have been with the company for 10-20 years are going to stay, ain’t nothing can be done about it.
Problem #6: CIO has no IT management experience or ability. He ran product operations and marketing. Hence why IT at KLA-Tencor has been a train wreck. Many will question why the CEO appointed such a person to be CIO? During the re-orgs, KLA-Tencor had to cut costs, so they just consolidated departments and gave responsibility over IT and other departments to someone based on seniority in the corporate hierarchy. To the CEO, this guy’s been with the company almost 20+ years, that matters more. Who cares if he doesn’t know anything about IT?
Advice to anyone considering working in IT at KLA-Tencor: Don’t.
Your experience and abilities will not be valued, IT management will not care to help your career, and your career growth will be limited. IT management at KLA-Tencor is a communist dictatorship. IT management will not tolerant anyone who questions them and recommends solutions. Solutions and changes cost money and KLA-Tencor does not have much money to spend on IT. Their main focus is survival. As a result, backstabbing, lies, sabotage, are rampant. Your best bet is to work at ANY company other than KLA-Tencor. Your career will shine and grow faster and you’ll be happier for it.
Advice to those who continue to work in IT at KLA-Tencor:
#1: Don’t expect any changes. If you look at the big picture, the company can’t afford any changes that you would like and no one cares to disrupt how things are. Seriously why would anyone in IT management listen to you and risk losing their job? They have more incentive to say and do nothing. IT management is there to help themselves, not help you.
#2: KLA-Tencor is outsourcing IT at an accelerated rate. You are lucky to have a job. If you don’t like it, then leave. IT management is telling their staff the same message. Besides with the economy doing better, finding better jobs at better companies is much easier.
#3: IT management is very poor. Most of them have no clue about IT and how to use it strategically. So why are they there? Simply they do what obedient slaves do in a communist dictatorship, they don’t say or do anything. To them it is better to save themselves and watch the company go down. In short: KLA-Tencor DOES NOT CARE. If you tell management that the building is on fire, it is so much easier for them to tell you to shut up.
