View Full Version : What its like to be a telkom employee
ghoti
30-05-2005, 05:02 PM
http://www.antitrust.co.za/beta/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3
Article at the above link.
I think it was Richard Branson (Virgin dude) who said that if a company looks after its employees it will have a sucessful business. Telkom is only successful because it is a monoply. Not because its a well run or good service company.
Competition is king. It keeps you on your toes.
I think it was Richard Branson (Virgin dude) who said that if a company looks after its employees it will have a sucessful business.
Not too sure who said that but yes, many CEO's of very successful companies say their success is mostly due to looking after their employees
Peapod
31-05-2005, 05:18 PM
most european companies now refer to their headcount/employees as "human capital investment" and there are reams of books on the topic - see Funky Business for a real eye opener - well worth the read.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0273645919/002-2821748-8650469?v=glance
Chris
31-05-2005, 05:53 PM
I think it was Richard Branson (Virgin dude) who said that if a company looks after its employees it will have a sucessful business. Telkom is only successful because it is a monoply. Not because its a well run or good service company.
Richard Branson is an idiot/prick. If you believe any of his methologies your business is going to be liquidated. Virgin are in massive debt.
peered95
31-05-2005, 07:33 PM
Lets not forget the "telkom academy" for the techies...
saw one of them in Cape town YESTERDAY - lol
Perdition
01-06-2005, 01:25 AM
Richard Branson is an idiot/prick. If you believe any of his methologies your business is going to be liquidated. Virgin are in massive debt.
Really, and what real world experience do you have to validate these assumptions? Please think before you speak ;)
Peapod
01-06-2005, 08:36 AM
Richard Branson is an idiot/prick. If you believe any of his methologies your business is going to be liquidated. Virgin are in massive debt.
Please elucidate. Richard Branson is one of the biggest philanthropists in the UK today. His businesses might march to a diffrent drummer, but he is not an idiot or a prick. I would love to be so "pricky" and "idiotic" to make the BILLIONS of pounds he has made from such meagre beginnings. And his customer service is AWESOME.We could all learn something from the way Virgin handle customer service.
AFAIK he is not someone to shy away from a challenge either.
If you want to see idiots, look no further than $izwe Nxsana or $teven White-lie$
Rogue_IceMan
01-06-2005, 09:48 AM
Dominic is probably refering to Donald Trump who had a bit of a financial problem at the beginning of the year. Dominic, also remember that for these guys financial difficulties means that they have cant afford the 100 million rand hoiuse, so they have to settle for the 80 Mil hous.
Dominic is right. All virgin companies are regsitered to the British Virgin Islands (could be the Cayman) and therefore they are not open for inspection. Only two virgin firms make money (or so it is rumoured) - the airline and virgin mobile (cell phones).
I've read his autobiography and the guy at one point was R 3 billion in debt. He's been lucky and gambled a lot. I've also read a biography by Tom Bower. Bower ripped him to shreds - but Branson did not sue Bower. And if you know Branson he likes to take people to court.
Read into that what you will.
Getting back on topic here...
Telkom is a company that, in a simple word treats its employees as numbers. You are just a number, no-one cares. Your manager, if you are fortunate enough to have one that isn't some arsehole and actually is a nice guy, is probably the only person who will feel anything for you. Therefore, any progress is dependent on how far up the asses of managers you are prepared to go. At Telkom, you got the same money whether you did jack **** or if you worked your arse off. Many people I saw were passengers in that company.
Many companies in SA don't treat their employees right, and the majority are one-man shows and the boss/CEO thinks he is above the law. Some hire their employees on a contract basis and on a ridiculous basic+comission scheme. I have worked for some of the worst companies in SA and it's amazing that some of these places are still in business
Celemasiko
02-06-2005, 01:32 PM
I have met very nice and helpful Telkom people who are agreeing totally with my opinion about Telkom. The would love to leave Telkom rather yesterday then today. But If you have 10 Idiots (or more?) who are leading this company, what the small friendly technician will do?
Chris
02-06-2005, 02:11 PM
I've read his autobiography and the guy at one point was R 3 billion in debt. He's been lucky and gambled a lot. I've also read a biography by Tom Bower. Bower ripped him to shreds - but Branson did not sue Bower. And if you know Branson he likes to take people to court.
Read into that what you will.
Yip that is the book that I make my facts on.
You should read ;)
kilps
02-06-2005, 08:47 PM
That article is scary - I don't knwo much about it but I recond you could sue for emotional damage or something like that :eek: