Yahoo's CEO: So sad to see you go, in all lower-case
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published December 11, 2008, 10:06 AM
Citing a need to "better align costs with revenues," the Chief Yahoo couldn't sound less cheerful, as he told 10% of his workforce that their exit would have a greater positive impact on the company than a negative impact on them.
It hasn't been a week for cheerleading at Yahoo in quite some time, but this week, CEO Jerry Yang -- for whom "outgoing" now has new meaning -- finds himself in the painful position of seeing hundreds of his colleagues out the door for the last time, prior to his own exit.
Here is the text of the memo the CEO sent to his employees yesterday morning:
today, most of our layoffs in the US are happening, and they've been underway in other regions around the world.
this is a tough time for all of us and i wanted to take a moment to reach out to you.
saying goodbye to colleagues and friends is never easy. they all are dedicated members of our yahoo! family, who worked beside us and shared our passion.
but as you all know, we must take actions to better perform in today's turbulent global economy. while we've found efficiencies in many parts of our business, laying off employees is unfortunately unavoidable. our difficult decision to let colleagues go reflects the changes we're having to make to better align costs with revenues -- something businesses in virtually every sector are also having to do.
for those who are affected by these layoffs, i am extremely grateful for your contributions to yahoo!. we realize the impact this will have on you. that's why, consistent with our past practices, we're making every effort to support you with severance packages and other services.
the reductions we're making are very hard, but they are also very necessary -- as we focus on the long-term health of our business. to those who are leaving us, i extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of yahoos everywhere -- you will be missed.
thanks, jerry
Yahoo's latest wave of headcount reduction, which impacts about 1,500 employees, was announced late last October.
Belive me, if I'm ever laid off from work the last thing I want to flourish is the success of my former employee.
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|Yawn...Who cares...
There is so much here to shake your head at that trying to pick out just one tiny aspect of the total debacle utterly misses the point.
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|Clearly he fired his secretary first, wrong move Jerry. This is the first time he is on his own and writing the email.
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|actually, he called in sick so that he could send the stinkin email from the convenience of his bathroom.
then he likely pressed the send key right before he flushed his perceived anguish down the sewer.
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|What an a******.
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|what's with the mo****fu***** sensorship ??
so much for free speech BN ...
anyways, back on topic ... yeah, what an a******
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|NEWSFLASH!
BetaNews is *NOT* a government entity!
*shakes head*
Let's hear it for edyookayshun!
Go read the First Amendment, nitwit.
Also, learn how to spell "censorship".
Thank you.
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|I'm fairly certain that it was a post made in jest with regards to bourgeoisdude's (perhaps intentional) use of asterisks in his pithy description of Yahoo!'s CEO, giving the rest of us the illusion of censorship by the BetaNews staff.
You're slipping.
...or, perhaps you're not, and you knew that all along. ;)
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|I've been here too long. I have zero faith in any posters ability to think prior to posting. Pretty much in-line with my faith in our entire species at this point.
Those "Worlds Funniest..." shows? Sad commentary on the species as a whole. How long have we been around?
...and this is what we have to offer?
*shakes head*
Usually, it's amusing. Lately, it's just disappointing.
Prime example: Some "expert" posts a story on Techdirt claiming the studios don't know the meaning of the word "Anywhere" and then proceeds to complain that it doesn't work on "Everything". Apparently, it is the author (and the subsequent barrage of morons commenting) that don't know the difference between "things" and "places".
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|"I've been here too long"
True :-P
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|Nice.
At least I know I can always count on your to make sure my Ego doesn't get *too* out of hand. One needs to be able to walk through doorways and all...
But seriously, that site, techdirt... If ever there was a place built for folks to get an ego boost, this is it. The majority of the articles on there make me want to cry for what the Human Species has become...
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|What a tool! It makes him look like he didn't want to be bothered enough to take the time and write a proper email. Very unprofessional...
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|oh pleaze!
the layoffs simply mean that yahoo can reallocate costs' towards their christmas party and bonus's.
let's see, a toga party and some exotic place with lobster and caviar and champagne and a 10% increase in the bonus's for all those who were spared the ax.
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|Somewhat ironic because their corporate logo is in all CAPS. :P
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|"i wanted to take a moment to reach out to you."
Clearly that moment was too short to hold his little finger down on the s*** key occasionally.
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|Hey, at least he capped "US". ;)
Won't be sad to see this imbecile go.
Seeing the share price tank ever since the proposed MSFT buyout has been amusing.
One wonders how he's avoided shareholder lawsuits...
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|He probably sent it using his blackberry since he couldn't care enough to write a professional one using his desktop computer.
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