in august, i was offered a "promotion" from Office Manager to 50% Office Manager/50% Events Marketing Executive.

Anonymous

November 25,2022 at 3:42AM UTC

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in august, i was offered a "promotion" from Office Manager to 50% Office Manager/50% Events Marketing Executive. I work for a sports betting tech company and attended my first event with the new title in October, after my return i got my feedback some super positive, some negative. I took it and i planned to fix my mistakes. well, few weeks later, and i just got told i am no longer part of the marketing team, because i am just not poised enough to be customer facing. 1) half the time i never stepped foot in front of a "customer" during the conference. 2) that statement was made based of an assumption that i showed up to the event hungover, which i did not and would never do. 3) instead of allowing me a 2nd chance to prove myself, they degrade my reputation with the company and proceed to tell me i should focus on the job that i do well (office management). i have already shared with multiple people that i didn't stay with the company 3 years to stay stuck as an office manager. I stayed so i could grow and felt that they had the opportunities available. now maybe marketing wasn't for me, but now i feel stuck again and im being told by my manager that we will "expand" on the office manager position. also I am one of few females in the office location im at, and i am the only person in the office to ever be told i must hold onto a position 50/50. im not looking to be told to leave my company, but looking for suggestions on how i can expand my office manager position to be something bigger as well as how i can educate myself and fix things so that my reputation isnt tarnished and i someday can prove that i am poised enough to be customer facing.

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AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 4:52AM UTC
I would not allow someone else to drive your opportunity or choices of ways to expand your role. Clearly that is going to be down the road. I would take this opportunity to choose areas of the company you are interested in and flush out ideas to improve and own. Consider what other companies might be doing. Subscribe to industry communications that might speak to your role. Network and brainstorm ideas.
Taking control of your development is the best thing you can do to grow as a professional.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 8:20AM UTC
Hi dear, maybe the marketing wasn't for you but I'm sure you will find your passion in another area. I would suggest that you should speak to your manager about the possibilities of getting training with another team to gain and expand your skills as you are not feeling happy/comfortable staying in the same position for a long time. wishing you the best of luck :)
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachNovember 27,2022 at 12:36AM UTC
If you could make your own job description, what would you LIKE to do?
AnonymousNovember 27,2022 at 2:33PM UTC
So based off of one event, you are being told that marketing isn’t for you?? I would be hesitant to stay at a company that does this. If they value you as an employee they would not pull you back to office manager. They would offer you training for the other position. And not for nothing, I’d be a little suspicious of a company that does a 50/50 position, especially for marketing which is a lot of work on its own. It’s almost like you’re being set up to fail. If I were you I’d be searching for opportunities elsewhere.
AnonymousNovember 27,2022 at 6:52PM UTC
She’s certainly not being set up for success, at the very least.
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 3:42PM UTC
I don't think we know the whole story. the poster shared, very openly, some concerns.
Mary PoolNovember 27,2022 at 2:54PM UTC
You could view this as an opportunity to define your position within the company, request training, and expand the management position. What do you enjoy doing? Where can you excel? They obviously value you as an employee (they didn't ask you to leave or demote you), so build upon that. I would address the hangover issue and state that you did not show up hungover and would never have. I'd also ask where they received that information and request a meeting with the person who said it. The best way to stop gossip is to confront the gossiper with a witness (preferably a manager). Ask them what they based the accusation on, and then ask why they didn't address the issue with you directly prior to involving upper management. It is unwise to let the accusation be left unchallenged. If management says they cannot tell you, ask them why they put a value on it if they do not support the allegation. If someone is willing to attack your reputation, you have a right to question them, and management is obliged to allow that to happen in a safe and witness environment.
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 1:11PM UTC
My advice is what you are not looking to be told: leave the company.
What you describe sounds like a trap was setup for you.
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 1:39PM UTC
It’s never 50/50. It’s 100/100. For 50/50 pay.
Kathleen Norton-SchockNovember 28,2022 at 1:52PM UTC
Building on Mary Pool's (excellent) advice, below, you might want to consider investing in Gallup's CLIFTON STRENGTHS FINDER. You can take the test online, and (while it often just strengthens what you may, intrinsically, know about yourself) it is a well-respected set of data. It can provide more insight for you, personally. You could also share the results, if you feel secure in doing so, with your company leadership --- it, or something like it (objective data) can show them how serious you are about understanding your own strengths, and then using them on behalf of the company. (There is a classic book about this called "NOW DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS" by Buckingham and Clifton). Every bit of self-realization is valuable as you create your own career path.
Nance HodgesNovember 28,2022 at 2:09PM UTC
Hi, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I know you're not trying to leave, but honestly, take it as a sign and move on. I had a similar situation with a company where they kept telling me excuses for why I wasn't "ready" for the next. In reality, no one else could do what I was currently doing well, so they didn't want to lose me in the role I was doing at the time because no one else wanted it.
This company is showing you that they do not value or respect you by doing this. Please don't let yourself continue to play small for their sake. I agree with the comment on StrengthFinders. It's really helpful for identifying your natural ability and how it can be used in various ways You are wildly talented beyond your own beliefs.
As for what to add to the office manager role, if you don't already have HR or Finance experience or cert, that's a great start. Both of these will turn your office manager job into an Operations Manager, which can lead to increasing responsibilities over time and with further education/experience.
Best of luck!
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 3:41PM UTC
I disagree. The company gave her an opportunity to "grow" by expanding her into marketing. It sounds like there were some negatives to that experience so now, the company has offered to put her back into position and "expand" that role. What else is an employer supposed to do, if someone doesn't have the skill set? WE don't know the details, but the alcohol incident and other ???? things don't sit right here. To me, it sounds like the employer is trying to accomodate. And the poster clearly stated that she's not getting a vibe they want to terminate her.
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 2:32PM UTC
First, I would look through any open jobs your company is hiring for and see if those are things you can do. It's a bit tough to have a position split responsibilities but if you're looking to eventually transition out of OM work then it might be a workable temporary option.
I'm confused by the statement about an assumption that you showed up to an event hungover. Where did the assumption come from? Was there a group outing the night before where people were drinking a lot of alcohol? As a rule of thumb I do not drink with coworkers, especially on business trips or dinners, because frankly I've seen too many people (all genders, not just women) get fired because of that. So that might be a suggestion to consider for future.
Adrienne LeightonNovember 28,2022 at 3:05PM UTC
If you want to stay, I would suggest you find a sponsor. Not a mentor, but someone who can invest in you and help you develop into the next role. Acknowledge the feedback you've received and develop a plan to address your areas for growth. Share it. Measure it. Demonstrate the progress. Good luck!!
AnonymousNovember 28,2022 at 3:39PM UTC
I've read your post a couple of times to get a "feel" for this situation. So...it sounds like your company was trying you out, by offering you this 50/50 position. And, after the Event you attended in October, the company is now backpedaling and saying that perhaps marketing isn't for you (or at least, not right now). So...it sounds like you've voiced (in the past, and now) that you want to grow with this company, right? And, the company gave you an opportunity, right? And, according to you...the manager is now saying that marketing is not a good fit for you, and they are offering for you to stay at your current role and "expand" it...right? So...it sounds like your company is trying to accomodate you. That's not bad. They are listening and trying. But they also have a business to run, so now it's your job to beef up your skills in the areas that are weak. I"m sorry you feel stuck. Pay attention to that feeling. If you truly feel "stuck"..then gain some more skills. Take a night class, work on learning a second language (Spanish?), Do volunteer work in the community (always helps with networking and marketing, and your boss will be impressed)... Honestly, it sounds like your manager/employer likes you and recognizes your strengths. It also sounds like they are trying to be nice , giving you a chance to do a bit of marketing. I would just settle back into your position and make a game plan to be the BEST office manager they've ever had....while gaining in your own skills, recognizing your weaknesses, asking for mentoring from someone in the field, etc....Remember, your success starts with you. but honestly, it does sound like your employer is trying to accomodate you, so don't totally trash the employer.
Liz MilneNovember 28,2022 at 5:24PM UTC
Office manager is one of those jobs that can expand quite well into project management, administration of various tasks (like fleet management), edge into book-keeping if that's your jam, and being a personal/ executive assistant which can be glorified secretary, but can also get you into the decision-making line. Be willing, take courses (especially if your business will fund or part-fund you) and show enthusiasm for the extra-curriculas - it's one of those that will bear fruit and show you a new and exciting path forward. Good luck with it
AnonymousNovember 29,2022 at 2:57AM UTC
Other commenters have good suggestions, I would add, and I'm not trying to be unkind, but learn to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing. Your post above is begging for some punctuation, grammar and spelling corrections. Again, I'm not trying to be unkind, poor written communication skills can sink the best ship.
Rebecca Gale-GonzalezNovember 29,2022 at 11:31AM UTC
Reputation is your calling card. If that's the rumor you need to squash it. If there is any shred of evidence to the contrary...you need to work on the things stated. Sometimes a clean slate is the best option, start fresh and learn from the mistakes of the past and leave them in the past. Keep working on the self improvement it will go along way to overcome the mistakes of past and show that you are willing and able to grow. Sometimes emotion can get the better of us, and we aren't able to admit our mistakes...it takes a big person to acknowledge and grow from them. Lastly, conferences and business trips are business, not party time, what you do after hours also matters.