5 Signs its Time to Leave Your Company

5 Signs its Time to Leave Your Company5 Signs its Time to Leave Your CompanyNo ones disputing that life would be easier if we all had our own crystal balls. Had Molly Brown had one, she definitely wouldnt have boarded the unsinkable Titanic, no matter how luxuriously tempting its promise.Same holds true for our jobs. If only we could know ahead of time what disasters loom, or whether the departments or companies were in are doomed to fail, wed jump ship- or never get on it in the first place.The truth is, though, were often given clues. Sometimes, all around us, theres water leaking in and rats running to higher ground. As is often the case, what we need really isnt our own crystal balls, but its to look up, read the writing on the wall (the one spelling out S-I-N-K-I-N-G-S-H-I-P), and start looking for a new ride.Here are five signs that the corporate ship youre on is no longer sea-worthy, and that it may be time to platzset sail on another boat.1. Your companys product or service b ecomes obsolete- and theres no talk of building a better mousetrap.So your company makes 8-track tapes? Nylon typewriter ribbons? Okay. That doesnt necessarily mean impending doom, unless the dying or dead product is accompanied by one of these additional factors The C-suite is convinced those 8-tracks will make a comeback, those nylon ribbons are the only thing it produces, or your company isnt even remotely interested in developing enhancements or new products for the changing market.2. Your companys got its old competition- plus a whole new crop of leaner, meaner rivals.Look around your industry. Maybe you used to be the only game in town or one of a few options. But suddenly, you notice that everyone and their brother seems to be offering what you do. And worse, they seem to be faster, smarter, and looking so sexy you find yourself wanting what theyre offering. Soon, your companys market share is barely treading water- or even dipping well below sea level. Sure it may be tempora ry, or it may be the economy, but if your companys mantra is this, too, shall pass, you may be the ones to get passed up.3. Your company looks at new opportunities in terms of how they impact legacy systems and businesses, rather than what customers will need on the horizon.Its true A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. But what if that bird in your hand has the flu, can no longer fly more than a few hundred yards, and stopped laying eggs long ago? That new bush and its two little birdies are starting to look like they hold a lot more promise as future customers- and your company ought to consider wooing them its top priority. Focusing on legacy systems, businesses, and already-on-board-but-not-doing-much customers may keep that bird in the hand alive a bit longer, but thats a far cry from making any progress toward the future.4. Your company spends too much time deciding where to cut, yet no time exploring where to invest and grow.Reporting, justifying spending, and tighteni ng belts are all necessary evils in business. But when they become the focus and cut, cut, cut is the only strategy, its as if youre tightening that belt around your throat. Companies led by bean counters who are only paying attention to the numbers, rather than the people, products, innovations, and marketing messages responsible for growing those numbers, have little aussicht at survival. Its the firms who look at long-term growth and holistic business performance in addition to the immediate bottom line that are set up for success.5. Your company has lost sight of the power of its people.Companies who thrive do so because of their people. When a company seldom engages its employees and when its plans for keeping and developing its talent are non-existent, the best and brightest will always inevitably leave to pursue other interests. Pay attention to who is getting hired, who is getting fired or leaving on their own, and what is or isnt being communicated and shared. That, perhaps more than any other sign, is an insight into the inner workings of your company.Is your corporate ship sinking? Heed the warning signs, and if yours seems a bit lost at sea, start firing off those flares and sending out the S.O.S. Because just over the horizon, that new ship youre meant to board is waiting for a new first-class mate.Photo of woman working courtesy of Shutterstock.