Need resources to succeed but division won't offer them

7 Comments

1. Barb HansenFebruary 24,2025 at 4:23PM UTC

   Here is what I would do in a similar situation where I was being asked to do more work that I had time to do.

   --I would present my manager with a list of the task that I was responsible for, including the new campaigns.

   --I would ask my manager which of my lower-level tasks can be put aside so I have time to work on the campaigns.

   --If I wanted to be helpful, I would go into this meeting with my suggestions of the tasks that I can off load.

   --then I would wait for an answer.

   Time is the limiting factor for all of us. If your work week is full and they want you to do more work, then let them tell you what tasks can fall off completely or be put on pause while you focus on the new work. Your manager, who technically has access to more information about the needs of the company, can make those decisions for you.

   If your manager won't help you manage your workload issue, I would consider that a red flag.

2. AnonymousFebruary 25,2025 at 3:01PM UTC

   I was in a very similar spot in my past, but working for a VERY small organization with incredibly limited hours. The BOD continuously asked for more and more from me, I clearly laid out for them the things that I would do from day to day, and asked which items I should quit doing to support their new requests; their response was none of them, they are all important. I then asked to be allowed to work more hours, to which they responded they could not afford that. I laid out for them exactly how they could afford that, if I could execute on their new requests, but they were not willing to budge.

   That was the day that I started looking for a new job.

3. JB09718February 25,2025 at 3:39PM UTC

   highly recommend this! When listing your tasks or projects it’s also helpful to include how long they take. (Ex: how long it takes to complete task or if it’s a project how much is left to do until project is completed)

   Another thing to consider, if you’re being asked to do work by other superiors make sure your reporting manager is aware of your workload. If it’s overwhelming you can ask them to step in and help gatekeep requests from piling up.

4. AnonymousFebruary 24,2025 at 6:06PM UTC

   Best to have a 1:1 with your manager. You work in the same company as the guy in marketing who has a bigger budget it sounds like.

   Come up with a plan. A jumping off point is what the upper management is asking you to do. Then your job is tell them HOW you can do it WITH the resources you need and the cost. Making change is great, but data to do so is really helpful. It sounds like you have counterparts in the company but your area doesn't get budgeted enough. If you cannot succeed by this or they don't want to listen to you, dust off the ole resume and seek work in a company that will support you and your team.

5. AnonymousFebruary 25,2025 at 1:57AM UTC

   Draft proposals and submit them with the caveat, I know we don't have money, but when we do here's a proposal I'd like to have considered.

6. AnonymousMarch 5,2025 at 12:38AM UTC

   Can you get Jack's job ? Seriously. One thing I've learned is never to counter a suggestion or request with anything like a 'no.' So in the situation you described I would have smiled and said: That is a great idea, I can do that! Because it will be just me working on this, can you help me prioritize my tasks and let me know ones to drop while I work on this? --most likely you're going to hear: Oh, you can't drop anything sorry nevermind. And that will accomplish something! But who knows, maybe you WILL year a 'yes' and then hey, something new for you to do and excel at. Good luck.

7. AnonymousMarch 6,2025 at 2:48PM UTC

   Sounds frustrating and totally relatable. My recommendation is to take a look at how you’re spending your time and stack rank your tasks by ROI. Taking a long hard look at whether you’re focused on the tasks that deliver the most value is challenging, but it could help you prioritize and drive results in a more efficient way. Could even show Jack a thing or two.

   Generally I find that additional resource allocations aren’t determined by the people doing the work, but by the potential of revenue for the products they’ve been assigned to market. The product/service you’re marketing just may not be seen as a high-potential and therefore the math doesn’t work out for the investment of staffing.

   Ultimately, comparison is a trap. Don’t worry about what Jack is doing. Get inventive, focus on high value tasks, and show em how it’s done! You got this!