China's Surprising Layoffs: Companies Cutting Sales Champions
It seems that in China, some companies are making the unusual decision to lay off their top-performing sales representatives, or "sales champions." This was recently discussed on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where users shared their thoughts and reactions to this surprising turn of events.
1 February 2024
One user tweeted, "原来公司真的会裁掉销冠," which translates to "It turns out that companies really do lay off sales champions." Another user asked, "什么叫裁员裁到大动脉?" meaning, "What do you call it when a company lays off its core employees?" These quotes were followed by hundreds of other comments and reactions, as others shared their experiences and thoughts on the subject.
In response to the discussion, one user wrote, "我离职了,公司招了八个人干我之前干的活。只能说我是个牛马," which translates to "I got laid off, and the company replaced me with eight people. I guess I was just a workhorse." This comment sparked further conversation and debate among Weibo users.
Some Weibo users expressed concern about the potential impact of these layoffs on the companies involved. One user tweeted, "其实说到底切到大动脉,销冠只是换个地方继续发光,客户都有可能被销冠带走,要懂一个道理现在缺少的是人才,怀才不用缺大德,先把剪刀瞄准那些害群之马,那才是对的!" This quote, which translates to "In reality, cutting to the core, the sales champion is just moving to another company to continue shining, and clients may follow them. It's essential to remember that what's missing now is talent. If someone has talent but isn't allowed to use it, it's a big loss. Instead, focus on the disruptive individuals and cut them out. That's the right thing to do!"
Other users shared their own experiences with layoffs and job loss. One user wrote, "千万别把公司当家养,千万别把公司当爹供。" This quote translates to "Never treat your company like your family or your father." Another user mentioned his or her experience with a boss who stated, "裁人,先从工资高的裁." This quote translates to "When laying off employees, start with those who make the most money."
As the conversation continued, some users provided advice for employees facing layoffs. One tweet read, "有些基层工作,猛一看不重要,很简单,其实,只有长期工作的才知道里面的细节东西,这玩意很重要." This quote translates to "Some entry-level jobs may seem simple on the surface, but only those who have been in the job for a long time know the subtle details. They're essential."
Additionally, a user commented on a recent news story related to a violent crime against a young girl. They expressed outrage that the perpetrators only received a 10-year sentence and wondered how the girl would recover from the trauma.
As the conversation progressed, users began to offer advice on what to do when facing a layoff. Some shared legal knowledge about worker's rights and the steps that can be taken to protect oneself in such situations. Others discussed the importance of understanding one's role in the company and not taking any job for granted.
In the end, it's clear that this issue has struck a nerve with many Weibo users. The decision of some companies to lay off their top performers seems to have perplexed and concerned many, leading to a discussion about the value of talent in the workplace and the rights of employees in such situations.