This is by no means an attempt to make fun of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Instead, I couldn’t help but notice the odd timing of Google News’ pairing of a photo (from Globe and Mail) of Ballmer scratching his head with the headline about Microsoft’s announcement that it would layoff 5,000 employees due to weaker earnings and the growing economic downturn in America.
I’ve studied Microsoft for years and believe that Ballmer is more than capable of leading the company to better growth and success over the long-term. Unfortunately, the reality of today’s announcement is a painful reminder that not even the world’s largest software maker is immune to the unraveling of the world’s global economy — A day I never thought would happen at Microsoft (I seem to recall a “no layoff” policy from the 90s, but could be wrong).
Is Ballmer Confused over Microsoft Layoffs?
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The next day Steve Ballmer redefined the layoffs, and added that new hires would actually be happening to re-focus areas of work development.
BTW, it was IBM that had a corporate mandate to never layoff since the 1960′s which lasted until the late 1990′s when Microsoft monopoly was challaged; and this forced some changes in business practice.