"In order to maximize shareholder value in the long term..." I would hate to be fired, no matter the phrasing, but kudos to a CEO brave enough to say things just how they are.
Not bad for a corpse, seven years later: http://paulgraham.com/microsoft.html
Re:Microsoft Looks to Cut Up to 18,000 Jobs
by brational on Thursday July 17, 2014 @10:47AM
(#8047820)
"For our business to remain competitive... "
Re:Microsoft Looks to Cut Up to 18,000 Jobs
by danielweber on Thursday July 17, 2014 @01:38PM
(#8048957)
"For your convenience, 15% of positions will be removed."
Re:Microsoft Looks to Cut Up to 18,000 Jobs
by NoMoreNicksLeft on Thursday July 17, 2014 @02:42PM
(#8049352)
Yes, but at that point it's not a "running business" but a charity.
Pruning all the carefully hidden useless employees is a massive effort, getting rid of a department that is longer relevant is a minor effort. Expecting them to undertake the massive effort for the appearance of fairness is unrealistic.
Last year, Microsoft made over $20 billion profit on almost $80 billion in revenue. The truth is that Microsoft has accumulated many useless employees over the years, and they could be even more profitable by laying off those people.