We're back in the land of layoffs. Companies are so quick to pull the downsizing trigger these days and have had so much practice in the past decade that they have the process down to a science. One goal at layoff time is to get rid of poor performers. This requires documenting performance, measuring you against others. You might see increased scrutiny of your work, or the company getting serious about completing annual performance reviews.
Productivity is more important than ever.
If profits and stock prices are plummeting, then wringing every bit of productivity out of the organization becomes imperative. You're going to hear a lot about getting results, about hitting targets, about holding down expenses. Instead of talking about building a better mousetrap, your organization will be pushing to sell enough of the old model, and to manufacture them in less time with fewer resources. They are being counted on to help carry out Nos. 1 and 2 above.