BASF has been in "belt-tightening" mode for the last 5 years and it is becoming a bit oppressive. When I first started here over 8 years ago you felt like you were completely unencumbered to do your job. There were off-site trainings and team bulding events that really contributed to cohesieve teams. Then "AP fitness" happened. SInce then it individual contributor workload has increased and anything that you have to do as part of your job that involves discretionary spending is a huge deal (e.g. if you have to travel for a meeting with your global team they act like you have your hand in the till).
I understand that the ag economy has been in the toilet for a while and you have to remain profitable, but you can only live like this for so long before people start looking elswhere.
