I’ve had several 9-9-9 Sessions. Here are a few interesting comments that came up:
1) ZB is very good at big project implementations. Very impressive how the broad team comes together to focus on these. However, ZB needs to improve on the smaller, more routine orders. (ZB)
2) ZEN regions are confident they will be able to create value through local strategies that leverage fiber assets (ZEN)
3) It would be helpful to have Roadmap for on-boarding new employees. (ZEN)
4) One of challenges is to eliminate job security fears that employees feel when we do additional acquisitions: “Am I going to lose my job when we consolidate?” (ZB) (See my perspective below)
5) Some ex-Fibernet customers do not know who their ZB Account Executive is. They should reach out to all customers. (From zCOLO, though comment about ZB)
6) A year ago, staffing and communications was a problem. However, we have made significant progress in both areas. (ZB) (Dan editorial—this comment almost certainly doesn’t apply to many areas within Zayo)
7) Optronics inventory is well understood. However, fiber inventory isn’t. We are good at seeing routes on a map, but haven’t captured reliable data on where we can splice into the fiber or excess fiber capacity. (ZB)
Several people cited the confidence and respect they had in their specific management teams. Most people expressed satisfaction in what they are doing and they feel Zayo offers is a good long term fit for them. Some people were complimentary of the work environment, citing “open and honest culture”. Other people warned about certain aspects of the culture—with the need for management to foster more open and respectful communications. Likewise, some people feel like they are empowered to get their job done, while others feel stifled by the need to participate in too many lengthy meetings.
On the job security question, I suggested that this is best handled through direct conversations with lines of management. Many people have little to fear—and it would behoove their line of management to communicate this. Others might not be able to get the reassurance they might be looking for—I caution management against giving their employees a false sense of security. Zayo Group is growing organically—and I expect this to continue. This is a positive fact that helps job security. However, the fiber-based telecom industry will consolidate—and jobs in certain areas of telecom will reduce. This might be discomforting, but it is a reality that all telecom professionals should consider.
The sampling is very limited at this point, so I caution against over-reacting to the positives or the negatives.
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