Is your company being Bled or Fed?

In light of all the recent revelations the have come out as part of the Global Financial Crisis, something that has been long known but seldom discussed, now comes out on the table. Many companies exist as cash cows to be Bled of all cash until they fail. By the time they are placed on "Corporate Hospice" and everyone is so surprised, a small elite group of people have legally, if immorally, made great sums of money and walk away from the corporate corpse with great wealth. 

Then there are those other companies. The ones that are trying to build something that has a future. The ones that are trying to be the best at what they do. The ones that leave enough money in the company to make the changes needed to prosper in the twenty-first century. The companies that are Fed.

You should try to find out in which type you are working and also in which types you are investing. If you work for a Bleeder—you feel it. You're constantly needing inexpensive things that would make a huge difference in productivity—but not getting them because they are too expensive. Why are they too expensive? Because the money has already be Bled. If you invest in a Bleeder you might make a great deal of money—but you have to watch it like a hawk—or you will lose it all again—plus some. Investors who are not part the Bleeding In-Crowd are just contributing blood.

If you work for a Feeder you feel that too. There is an emphasis on real improvement and the money is available to fund great ideas. You are not constantly banging your head over the same problems. New problems, maybe, but not old ones. The money and vision are there to fix the present and build for the future. The company is truly trying to excel and meet the opportunities of the future.

So—here's my question for you. Do you work for a company that is Bled or Fed?