What is one thing about the business world that the military didn't teach you?

CPT Christopher Coker — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 08:37:54 -0500

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 8:53 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 08:53:03 -0500

The alphabet soup they are looking for when the hire. You have to have 50 letters behind your name to be qualified for most positions. I applied to everything I could find at USAA, they told me I was not even qualified to be a gate guard because I did not have the certification required.

Response by SPC Brett Curry made Dec 6 at 2017 9:02 AM

SPC Brett Curry — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:02:16 -0500

What a great question....I wld say that what surprised me the most is how quickly someone else Will stab you in the back to get what they want. There's really no comrodery in 95% of the cavilian work force. Unless your a cop, fire fighter, some sort of first response team it's all everyone for themselves. I used that comrodery and friendship building in the company I went to work for after the military. Next thing you know we are having the best profit months ever and I find myself in a management position.

Response by CPT Robert Louthan made Dec 6 at 2017 9:14 AM

CPT Robert Louthan — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:14:46 -0500

There is a level of trust that exists within the military that doesn’t reside in most civilian businesses. Be a team player but watch your back.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Dec 6 at 2017 10:09 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 10:09:39 -0500

I have found the civilian environment full of sensitivity, hand holding and song singing. With honor not esteemed as I prefer.
At present, I feel lucky to be around quality leadership. That is not always the case here among civilians.
Also, the Marine Corp I was a part of had very little political correctness. So, it was a bit of a learning curve out here for me.
For example: You are a food blister! You look like 200lbs of chewed bubblegum! You disgust me! Here! Put this blue sticker on! You are on half rations! Stuff like that.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 6 at 2017 11:30 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:30:27 -0500

Profit motive. The private sector runs almost exclusively on the "bottom line." Managers are evaluated and compensated on their contribution to the profitability of the private company. Many non-management employees have a portion of their total compensation "at risk" based on their performance against standards for expanding the business or improving the bottom line. Bonuses are normally awarded for expanding the business or improving profit.

Overall this is a good system that has built the USA, but it can be perverted to the detriment of the employees and company. Veterans need to take a "Business 101" course through a post-secondary education institution, on-line learning, or talking with people working in the private sector to understand how businesses work. Poor managers will do all of the "toxic leadership" behaviors to improve their perceived performance against profit or business development standards. The business will reward them for this behavior until the HR complaints or law suits become too expensive. Good managers will use great leadership skills to inspire their teams to better performance and greater profit. Fortunately, they too will be rewarded.

Much more I could say, but the truth is if you aren't contributing to the bottom line, you're gone.

Response by Sgt Martin Querin made Dec 6 at 2017 1:54 PM

Sgt Martin Querin — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 13:54:16 -0500

CPT Christopher Coker Valuation of a business, creating a financial balance sheet, Porters Five Forces.... But then I joined to be a grunt Marine Machine Gunner. :-) So I wasn't thinking about application to business at the time. If I had been thinking that way I would've accepted the offer during boot camp of a seat at Annapolis. One of those things I think back on and wonder how things would've turned out had I made that choice.

Response by PO1 Ralph Hernandez made Dec 6 at 2017 4:23 PM

PO1 Ralph Hernandez — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:23:36 -0500

You're only as good as your last project. They can let you go in an instant The military will keep poor performers around for the duration. Some even get promoted.

Response by PO1 Ralph Hernandez made Dec 6 at 2017 4:27 PM

PO1 Ralph Hernandez — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:27:53 -0500

You are rewarded for staying under budget in the civilian business world. While I was in the service in the 80s, if there was a budget surplus prior to the end of the fiscal year, the motto was use it or lose it. This is not the way you run a civilian business if you want to be successful.

Response by Sgt Rob Landers made Dec 10 at 2017 12:35 AM

Sgt Rob Landers — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 00:35:05 -0500

You don't have to work for @$$holes in the civilian world.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2018 12:24 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 12:24:08 -0400

How the planning process applies to business only in different terms.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Oct 10 at 2018 12:30 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 12:30:59 -0400

Office voice (being LOUD in the office)