random work question: Matrix Management Training recommendations?

[SchralphMacchio]

Random work related thread for any of you other cubicle dwelling middle managers out there ...

My company recently re-orged from vertical business units to full on matrix management. It's especially challenging for remote field offices when you get one-seventh of a marketing manager's time, and they are physically located 3000 miles away.

One of my fiscal year goals is going to a matrix management training course. Mostly so that I can say, "I am trying in good faith to work this process ... <under my breath> despite us continuing to lay off good people and squeezing everyone on goals." But hey, if I can actually get some of my projects out on time I'll be more than happy to point to the training as an effective use of time.

Has anyone done any good online or classroom based training for matrix management? Any recommendations? I see a million things come up in google and didn't want to just sign up for any random thing ... just yet.

[mogul5480]

I think that's because most management-consultant-guru types abhor a matrix. Pretty sure I read a McKinsey study back in school that said matrix is all bad all the time.

[hutash]

You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."

It's your choice Neo.

[stfu&gbtw]

[schuss]

Where does the matrixing end and how is it setup. Give me a call sometime (before 9:30 my time if possible), as I've had a crash course in every sort of management hoopla recently.
The real key to challenging transitions like this is getting people to a meeting to agree on handoffs. If you can agree on roles and responsibilities for some basic tasks and areas, a lot of the shit solves itself after that. I'm sure right now that no one knows what the fuck they're doing. Just remember a version of what Littlefinger said "Chaos is a ladder", and your interpretation of it can be "Chaos is where I get shit to run how I want it because everyone else isn't taking the initiative to pull people together and sign off on things".

[DasBlunt]

careful, sounds like a setup for laying you off.

[stuckathuntermtn]

I think it all comes down to using the right cover sheet on your TPS reports.

[assman]

Nothing to add just saying i am glad none of this management bullshit ever intrudes on my existence.




I am the lone ranger...