A number of people have forwarded various links to me today on the subject of announced job cuts at Microsoft… many accompanied by comments to the effect of “enjoy”, “good news” and “this will make you smile”.
Actually it doesn’t make me smile and to be honest I don’t think it’s good news. Winning against Microsoft, taking out Exchange and replacing with Domino, hearing that a company is looking at throwing out Office in favour of Symphony… that makes me smile, and that’s only natural in the market we compete in. Most of the time we compete fairly, and I know many people at Microsoft who I have worked with in the past, and I like and respect them. I bumped into one here at Lotusphere – I shook his hand and spent a few minutes talking about things we were doing (great to see you Tony). We may trade snipes on a blog next week, but we’ll know it’s healthy competitive debate.
When a powerful technology company like Microsoft announces job cuts it’s not a good sign and it’s not good for the industry. It’s also not good for the people effected who have to pay mortgages and support families. So anyone sending me an e-mail expecting me to be smug and punch the air, you’ll be disappointed. IBM posted good results, but we should all be aware how fragile the economy is.
Well put Darren. The current economy is not good for anyone, regardless of where you work.
100% Agree Fella. Hard competition that is firm but fair is one thing. But folks losing their living is nothing to celebrate.
Excellent post. In these troubling times, it was nice to read and I completely share your sentiments
I couldn’t agree more. Unemployment is a terrible thing for people and not just financially.
Although IBM is a more diverse company than Microsoft and might be able to better absorb market ‘shocks’ it is by no means a certainty.
You’ve struck the right tone, sir!
Agreed. Never good to gloat, especially when IBM is having their own layoffs. Some were even told whilst at Lotusphere, very classy.
I’m with Carl on this one, started getting emails from both companies from friends looking again. Never a good thing and Darren is correct, layoffs, no matter to who, are not good news. Well unless you were looking to hire this person you knew….
Great to meet you at LS sunday party Darren.
Agree with what you’ve said, here’s one for you to have some fun with from your bbc friends:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7845561.stm
Best regards,
Mark
Very good point Darren, I fully agree. After all this is about people who loose their jobs which is a bad thing regardsless of employer.