Sony - Looking at Layoffs

[Kamalot]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is looking to make structural changes to streamline business operations in order to try and remain the leader in the video game market according to GameDaily BIZ in an exclusive interview. The proposed plan reportedly would involve SCEE laying off around 10% (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=15812)of the company's staff with the goal of significantly reducing costs.

"The reason for the proposals is that, although SCEE has successfully faced a number of challenges throughout its history to become a leader of the videogame industry, our industry is in the middle of a period of transition where some of the fundamentals of our business are changing," he explained. "Chief amongst these is that we are entering a future of increasingly networked and converged entertainment. In order to maintain our leading position in the market we sometimes have to make difficult business decisions. The management of the company has concluded that we need to change our structure, streamline and strengthen our business operations – and that our cost base needs to be significantly reduced."

[Kamalot]

I got a lot of good information from this message. Sony seems willing to admit that the industry is undergoing change. They also seem ready to do something about it. This is a far better message than the typical, "PS3 costs too little. Work Harder to earn one. We don't have any competition. Our system is not next-gen, it is next-next-gen." kind of denial that they typically showcase.

I hope that this new sense of reality extends beyond Nick Sharples, SCEE's Director of Corporate Communications, and is a message that extends deep into the company overall.

[Banacek]

Another anti-Sony Kamalot news post. Yawns

[Johan]

Can't lay anyone off in Japan, eh???

Another anti-Sony Kamalot news post. Yawns

Another anti-Kamalot troll post. yawns

Oh, nice sig, too...makes you look like an upstanding guy!

[Kamalot]

If you'll read, I think this is a positive Sony story. But don't let that get in your way.

[Tel Prydain]

If you'll read, I think this is a positive Sony story. But don't let that get in your way.
READ?!? The SDF does not read, sir!

[CptTripps]

Another anti-Sony Kamalot news post. Yawns

Yeah... that's not what I got from it.

[Morangie]

Yeah... that's not what I got from it.
To a certain type of person on this site, the actual news doesn't matter. Only who posts it.

[Trazzlo the Magnificant]

Can't lay anyone off in Japan, eh???
That's funny when you think of how poorly the PS3 is doing in Japan, but they did so well in Europe. They must be coming up to a million units sold there, so you would think that they would want to keep the staff there for a while.
Another anti-Kamalot troll post. yawns
Yeah, doesn't really matter what he posts he will get this. I am very un-anti-Kamalot, though.

[Tentaro]

So, they can't afford their staff and are firing a bunch of them? That sucks.

[CptTripps]

That's funny when you think of how poorly the PS3 is doing in Japan, but they did so well in Europe. They must be coming up to a million units sold there, so you would think that they would want to keep the staff there for a while.

Yeah, doesn't really matter what he posts he will get this. I am very un-anti-Kamalot, though.

Weird, cause I am very pro-un-anti-Kamalot. Same..... but different....

[RMan]

It'd be interesting to see how many employees they had hired in the last 6 years to put things into context. I’d think these types of transitional periods could be very useful to a company, a valid reason for clearing the dead-wood from the company (anyone who has worked in management can understand the benefit).

[Boris]

Oh shit! Phil Harrison just found a pink slip hiding under his box of fine Belgian truffles.

[Arthen]

If you can get rid of the right 10% its very very healthy. And given how huge SCE is.... its probably a good thing.

[Banacek]

If you'll read, I think this is a positive Sony story. But don't let that get in your way.

Layoffs are never positive.

/Maybe I'm biased since the company I work for is going through a round of layoffs, even though the past year was a success financially.

[Banacek]

READ?!? The SDF does not read, sir!

Ha, you must have signatures turned off.

[KNOTE]

120 sounds like 2 teams worth or 1 huge team. Anyone know if any specific titles have been axed? Or is this really just a belt-tightening?

My condolences go out to those affected. Been there a couple of times. This industry is brutal.

[fitbabits]

Another anti-Sony Kamalot news post. Yawns
You need to lay off the Kool-Aid, man.

[Banacek]

You need to lay off the Kool-Aid, man.

No thanks. Someone's gotta keep the faith.

[RMan]

Layoffs are never positive.

/Maybe I'm biased since the company I work for is going through a round of layoffs, even though the past year was a success financially.
That’s unfortunately not true. I’ve worked with people that were, for various reasons, more damaging to the company than a positive influence, some even if you disregard their paycheck. Like it or not, some employees just suck, and you’re doing the other employees a disservice if you keep them around. Sounds harsh, but that’s the way it is (at least from my POV).

[BlackPete]

Layoffs are never positive.

/Maybe I'm biased since the company I work for is going through a round of layoffs, even though the past year was a success financially.

Hmmm I don't normally speak in absolutes but...

You're wrong. Layoffs ARE positive when it involves a company that's too big for its own good, and there's a lot of deadweight dragging down the entire system. Cut the fat and you'll end up with a lean and mean machine.

I've yet to hear of a company willing to lay off valuable employees unless it's during its final death twitch.

[Banacek]

I've yet to hear of a company willing to lay off valuable employees unless it's during its final death twitch.

You lost me with that one.

[BlackPete]

You lost me with that one.

Oh snap. In that case you're right, layoffs are NEVER a good thing :rolleyes:

[Johan]

I've yet to hear of a company willing to lay off valuable employees unless it's during its final death twitch.

Makes perfect sense.

Unless every employee of every company in existence actually contributes in work and productivity MORE than they receive in salary and benefits from a company, in which case it wouldn't make sense (yeah...right :D ).

Still makes perfect sense.

Not all employees are equal in their contributions to a corporation's bottom line. Getting rid of underperforming employees is much like getting rid of underperforming investments in a portfolio; it clears the way for greater growth, savings in expenses, and new blood to enter as well.

Good call.

[Banacek]

Yes, everyone who's ever been laid-off totally deserved it. This thread is full of momo's.

EDIT: I'm not saying firing, I'm talking massive lay-offs. If you really believe that all lay-offs are good and all those people deserved it then I guess we're done talking.

[Johan]

Yes, everyone who's ever been laid-off totally deserved it.

Interesting...that's the first time in this thread that I've read that. I'm sorry you feel that way.

[Lothair]

As usual, this isn't an all good or all bad proposition for Sony. Layoffs are usually seen as a positive step (there's a reason why a company's stock price goes up when layoffs are announced) and can be effective at making a cheaper and leaner operation. Depending on the size of the layoff, management is usually the first to go, and reducing the numbers of redundant managers is almost always a good thing. There's also a good argument to be made specifically for Sony that they're overlarge and poorly integrated, I've heard Howard Stringer make this comment many times, and reducing unnecessary staff is a good way to break these barriers.

The downsides are the fact that layoffs, even when they promote efficiency in the short run, have a very corrosive effect on the employees remaining, and can cause talent to try to find more secure positions elsewhere. They also can promote an image that the company is flailing and going down. After all, even if the resultant company is more efficient and profitable, no company desires to become smaller, and investors do not like shrinking companies, no matter how profitable they may be (this is why investors are running from newspapers even though they still make 20% profit margins).

So yeah, layoffs are not inherently good or bad for Sony at this point, it will come mostly from how they handle them and how they're able to manage public perception.

[Banacek]

Interesting...that's the first time in this thread that I've read that. I'm sorry you feel that way.

Question: are you a member of a teacher's union, by chance?

EDIT: I see you're not. For a second I thought maybe someone in a union was talking about how good layoffs are :)

[Kamalot]

Yes, everyone who's ever been laid-off totally deserved it. This thread is full of momo's.

EDIT: I'm not saying firing, I'm talking massive lay-offs. If you really believe that all lay-offs are good and all those people deserved it then I guess we're done talking.
I got an excellent job after being laid off. I learned a lot from being laid off.

[Banacek]

I got an excellent job after being laid off. I learned a lot from being laid off.

But do you think you deserved it? Like you were dead weight? Do you have a family to support, or was it just you?

[laggerific]

I got a lot of good information from this message. Sony seems willing to admit that the industry is undergoing change. They also seem ready to do something about it. This is a far better message than the typical, "PS3 costs too little. Work Harder to earn one. We don't have any competition. Our system is not next-gen, it is next-next-gen." kind of denial that they typically showcase.

I hope that this new sense of reality extends beyond Nick Sharples, SCEE's Director of Corporate Communications, and is a message that extends deep into the company overall.

You are really stretching to make this seem like good news. This is Sony eating their bullshit...and trying to make it look like ice cream. They screwed up...I wish they could just say it in words from a dictionary pulled together by Strunk n White.

[Aegis14]

In translation....

Jesus, SCEE's internal studios haven't had a hit for going on four years so if any of you can give us one good reason why we should keep this bunch of muppets on for more than another few weeks then we'll give Jamie another promotion. Those in the know know what I mean.

[GWhite]

Lets hold off on saying if this is a good or bad move until we have more information. Lay offs if handled properly can be very good for a company, especially one like Sony which probably has a massive number of redundant employees. I find it unlikely that this is just a short term ploy to boost Sony's stock market value.

EDIT: also remember that SCEE is an under performing division for the most part.

[Gott]

Nice attempt at a pre-emptive positive spin Kam...

This crowd is a little too bright for that.

Let's hope they ditch Kaz and Harrison...they both deserve a serious reality check.

[Johan]

Question: are you a member of a teacher's union, by chance?

EDIT: I see you're not. For a second I thought maybe someone in a union was talking about how good layoffs are :)

No...no unions here.

I can be fired at any time. Now, that's highly unusual, but several years back during some tight economic times here, that did happen to several teachers at my small high school. They were unceremoniously dumped. No reasons necessary (but it was financial).

And I wait to get a new contract for each school year, as well.

My dad was fired in the '70s from his engineering job at a defense contractor, and he was a freaking whiz with a patent on a sub. guidance system and such. It was a terrible time, but turned into a real blessing. He went to work for the government, and how has a double retirement and I don't have to worry about him financially.

It's tough, but it can work out not only for the company, but the employee as well. But not always...:(

[Skyelan]

Yes, everyone who's ever been laid-off totally deserved it. This thread is full of momo's.

EDIT: I'm not saying firing, I'm talking massive lay-offs. If you really believe that all lay-offs are good and all those people deserved it then I guess we're done talking.

The funny thing is how you're accusing everyone else of mass generalizations (Many people here are just saying they CAN be good, not that all are good) when you're the only one doing it. In fact you're the one who started off saying that they're NEVER good. Ever. To anyone. The higher ups just kicked some schmoe on the street to laugh at his poverty.

They make a drinking game out of it, it's a hoot.

Edit: I should note that I don't really like the idea of layoffs because they DO hurt people. But it's one of those downsides to life. In fact I would prefer that didn't happen. But I'm not so ignorant that I'm gonna let my feelings for people getting laid off send me on a crusade that it's inherently evil.

[Kamalot]

You are really stretching to make this seem like good news. This is Sony eating their bullshit...and trying to make it look like ice cream. They screwed up...I wish they could just say it in words from a dictionary pulled together by Strunk n White.
Yes, I treated it as very good news. It was an opportunity to find something better. I wasn't laid off due to my performance, but due to the company shifting focus and no longer needing me. I took it in a positive light, and it paid off.

[fitbabits]

No thanks. Someone's gotta keep the faith.
Yeah, and that's exactly what you're doing... Right?

[blackzc]

Laid-off? Thats the chance you take when you work for someone. Thats why i work for myself.

[Banacek]

Yeah, and that's exactly what you're doing... Right?

I said how I felt. I'm just the only one who stayed.

[Lothair]

Laid-off? Thats the chance you take when you work for someone. Thats why i work for myself.

Producing industrial-grade self satisfaction, yes?

[TrackZero]

That’s unfortunately not true. I’ve worked with people that were, for various reasons, more damaging to the company than a positive influence, some even if you disregard their paycheck. Like it or not, some employees just suck, and you’re doing the other employees a disservice if you keep them around. Sounds harsh, but that’s the way it is (at least from my POV).

Have you actually been through a layoff, or is that just how you imagine they work?

Speaking as someone who worked for WorldCom for 3 years (and survived 2 of those during the heavy layoffs), oftentimes the completely wrong people are chosen to go, crucial ones who work their ass off for the company. While complete wastes of space (who a manager or director likes, either due to personality or...physical reasons) stay on board.

Just to explain how badly layoffs were handled, we ended up losing 40%+ of our office's staff while, get this, worldwide we were the ONLY office to make a profit. I'm not fucking joking. But then again, we were just some anonymous names on a sheet. God forbid they lay off American staffers..... (I know, that's a whole other rant).

When large corporations have layoffs, they're never effective, it's just bottom line cutting and often directors and VPs making power grabs for headcount. It won't be any different at Sony.


Edit: And to clarify, I was eventually laid off, during the 8th round. Totally came out of the blue (and I went out the door with lots of other great people). To quote Kamalot:

"I got an excellent job after being laid off. I learned a lot from being laid off."

The same holds true for me. Once I got to sign off on a serverands (sp?) package, I realized how I'd never have to work for these assholes again, and all my stress vanished. I went and found a positive, productive company to work at instead and I've been happy since.

[civil_dead]

Another anti-Sony Kamalot news post. Yawns
1. It's Sony, a company that happens to be involved in the gaming industry.
2. It's SCEE, a specific division within Sony that deals with games.
3. This is a gaming news site, ergo it's important to its readers.
4. It's a truth, no spin about it.

Your post says a lot more about how you view Kamalot than anything else. Actually, it says a lot more about you than anything else.

Which, frankly, isn't worth noting beyond this reponse.

[Dracula-X]

I said how I felt. I'm just the only one who stayed.
You're not alone in your sentiments.

Kamalot's a vile douchebag. And EvAv has jumped the fucking shark promoting him to mod status.

[Tel Prydain]

You're not alone in your sentiments.

Kamalot's a vile douchebag. And EvAv has jumped the fucking shark promoting him to mod status.
Shut yer yap hole, puny yellow.
You are proven wrong by his adequate mod performance.

As Civil_dead said:
1. It's Sony, a company that happens to be involved in the gaming industry.
2. It's SCEE, a specific division within Sony that deals with games.
3. This is a gaming news site, ergo it's important to its readers.
4. It's a truth, no spin about it.

Your post says a lot more about how you view Kamalot than anything else. Actually, it says a lot more about you than anything else.

Which, frankly, isn't worth noting beyond this reponse.

[Dracula-X]

Shut yer yap hole, puny yellow.
You are proven wrong by his adequate mod performance.

As Civil_dead said:

Shut yours, Pay-per-troll.

His mod performance doesn't doesn't mean shit to me, nor make up for years of trolling.

[Johan]

And EvAv has jumped the fucking shark promoting him to mod status.

There are soooooo many gaming forums and sites around. Why stay if things are so vile to/for you?

Really...no malice intended (but if you want some...whatever!). If things are that bad, rather than wallow in the poison and bile, move on! Enjoy!

Shut yours, Pay-per-troll.

His mod performance doesn't doesn't mean shit to me, nor make up for years of trolling.

Tel Prydain is a troll? You are a dumbass...malice intended.

[Dracula-X]

There are soooooo many gaming forums and sites around. Why stay if things are so vile to/for you?

Really...no malice intended (but if you want some...whatever!). If things are that bad, rather than wallow in the poison and bile, move on! Enjoy!

Tel Prydain is a troll? You are a dumbass...malice intended.

It seems the correllation between what I said and the "puny yellow" comment levelled at me has escaped you. I guess I'm just supposed to sit back and take that because I didn't donate. I guess that's the new thing, I can talk all the shit I want if I fork over some dollars eh? (Hell, I might be able to buy a mod position like Kam, too!) Not gonna bother calling you names, it's been done a thousand times here as you've got got your huge fanbase and all.

[Tel Prydain]

Shut yours, Pay-per-troll.
W00t! I've never been a troll before... not even in the "What is GoW" thread where I was openly trolling.
To be honest I have been trying to diversify my profile. Trolls post more, and I want to grow my post count so I can have a bigger e-penis. :cool:

Anyway, all that sounded a bit chirpy, and I’m supposed to be trolling. How about:
I’m rubber and you are glue! Anything you say bounces of me and sticks to you!

Awesome.
His mod performance doesn't doesn't mean shit to me, nor make up for years of trolling.
Of course… the quality of his mod performance has nothing to do with him being a mod.
How very wise of you. I’m totally convinced.
I HATE it when a mod posts good, well balanced news.
Quick! Spam it with “AnOTHer kaMAl0t s0NY tHReAd, L0Lzers” posts!
:rolleyes:

You, my friend, win the "Twat of the Week" Award.

[Banacek]

Quick! Spam it with “AnOTHer kaMAl0t s0NY tHReAd, L0Lzers” posts!

Maybe you just haven't been around here long enough.

[Johan]

...you've got your huge fanbase and all.

Actually, I'm pretty roundly reviled as an argumentative ass, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. In fact, when I read that I thought you were high! :D

As to this thread, out of curiosity I checked your previous posts and, prior to this one that I'm replying to, your last three posts in a row have been quite insulting and nasty toward one particular individual here.

Now, if that kind of bile stays with you over the course of a month, it might be time for a change, don't you think? It's just a forum/gaming site, and there are a lot of those. Find a new one and enjoy yourself.

Oh, and save your money. You can post whatever you like (as you obviously have). No money required.

Nite.

[Tel Prydain]

Maybe you just haven't been around here long enough.
Maybe you suck.

Tolling RULES!

[Banacek]

Maybe you suck.

Tolling RULES!

I do suck, that's not the point though :)

[Tel Prydain]

I do suck, that's not the point though :)
Ooooo. Do you suck well? You must be a hit with the ladies! :cool:

[Reznoriam]

Flame wars asside, layoffs suck for precisely the reasons previously stated. They're never handled correctly, if they're handled correctly it's done on a case by case basis and the word layoff never enters your earhole. It is necessary to clear dead weight from time to time but I don't think you should go into the process with a quota.

I spent my time after school bobbing from company to company until I found one that I liked and fits my personal work and business ethic. Doing quite well now and I think I'm better for the time I spent finding out how much some companies blow.

[fitbabits]

If this is going to be the response when Kamalot posts a Sony news story (good or bad), then so be it. But realize this before embarking on your next crusade: one's petty and snide remarks are often indicative of one's true self.

[Tel Prydain]

Flame wars asside, layoffs suck for precisely the reasons previously stated. They're never handled correctly, if they're handled correctly it's done on a case by case basis and the word layoff never enters your earhole. It is necessary to clear dead weight from time to time but I don't think you should go into the process with a quota.

I spent my time after school bobbing from company to company until I found one that I liked and fits my personal work and business ethic. Doing quite well now and I think I'm better for the time I spent finding out how much some companies blow.
I respect and agree with your point, yet I resent that you have interrupted a perfectly good way to pad my post count.
No, really - I do agree with your point, and I am glad that you have found a place you fit in.
I hate that big companies loose sight of the fact that good employees are the back-bone of their business. :mad:

Good post. Welcome to Ev Av.

[Dracula-X]

Actually, I'm pretty roundly reviled as an argumentative ass, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. In fact, when I read that I thought you were high! :D

As to this thread, out of curiosity I checked your previous posts and, prior to this one that I'm replying to, your last three posts in a row have been quite insulting and nasty toward one particular individual here.

Now, if that kind of bile stays with you over the course of a month, it might be time for a change, don't you think?

Mayhap you are the one who is high? :) My few posts against Kamalot constitute some sort of bile I'm carrying around, but his anti Sony agenda over the past number of years isn't a mental disorder at all? That's a fucking laugh. And that's not even on this site, he's made it a fucking mission in life. You could google Kamalot's bullshit on a dozen sites and it's the same retarded MO. Most of you guys weren't around or don't even remember his stunts before the last crash here otherwise you wouldn't even be saying a peep for his defense.

It's just a forum/gaming site, and there are a lot of those. Find a new one and enjoy yourself.

Oh, and save your money. You can post whatever you like (as you obviously have). No money required.

Nite.
Yes I know it's just a forum, I frequent quite a few. I do enjoy myself. I am saving my money.

Nitey nite!

[Banacek]

If this is going to be the response when Kamalot posts a Sony news story (good or bad), then so be it. But realize this before embarking on your next crusade: one's petty and snide remarks are often indicative of one's true self.

...and who you pick to get your news stories from is indicative of yours.

[Tel Prydain]

Most of you guys weren't around or don't even remember his stunts before the last crash here otherwise you wouldn't even be saying a peep for his defense.


Time moves on, buddy.
http://photoshopcontest.com/images/fullsize/219642031e0786fca13422ddacfe9cd346804a9d332587.jpg

[fitbabits]

...and who you pick to get your news stories from is indicative of yours.
Right, because GI.biz are full of shit. Silly me. There's nothing you can say or do that will refute the news, so instead you resort to cheap shots on the person who posted it.

[Banacek]

Right, because GI.biz are full of shit. Silly me. There's nothing you can say or do that will refute the news, so instead you resort to cheap shots on the person who posted it.

What cheap shots? Modding Kamalot was like modding Player1 or Red Cloak. Most people here now won't remember or care, but people here before the crash remember who they are.

[fitbabits]

What cheap shots? Modding Kamalot was like modding Player1 or Red Cloak. Most people here now won't remember or care, but people here before the crash remember who they are.
Living in the past is somewhat of a lost cause, as is bearing a grudge. It's just not healthy.

I was around for a long time before the 02/05 crash, but guess what, that was over two years ago.

[lockwoodx]

Layoffs are never positive.

/Maybe I'm biased since the company I work for is going through a round of layoffs, even though the past year was a success financially.


I'm pretty sure this will be the first time anyone at sony will have gotten laid....too bad they are loosing thier jobs tho.

[Banacek]

Living in the past is somewhat of a lost cause, as is bearing a grudge. It's just not healthy.

I was around for a long time before the 02/05 crash, but guess what, that was over two years ago.

Nothing in that post has anything to do with what we're talking about. You're deflecting.

[MacD]

Sony: "We're doing great! Shipped* oh-so-many PS3's, we can hardly breathe!"
Paid-by-Sony analysists: "Sony's gonna make a truckload of money on all the PS3's they shipped*! They're gonna win this round of the console wars! Their nearly-sunk-the-by-developing-it CELL is soooooo usefull and will be used in every application, even if it's an in-order processor good for only specific tasks (which exclude branching[so screw AI])!"
Sony: "Things are going so well for us, and our stock is so high, and gaming has gone mainstream so the gaming market is larger than it has ever been, and next gen (especially our version of next gen) is so hard and man-hour intensive to dev for [even the studios we pay to shill for us say so! It's so hard that you better start off with our system as baseline (even though it has less ram [this means more if you know how textures and gamelogic gets processed])]...so we're gonna cut down on staff! Aren't we great?"

*shipped....exactly :)

My prediction: in three to six months, the hype will be seen through by investors, and Sony's stock is going down.

I was gonna say that I'm not biased against Sony...but then I realised that when a company makes big mistakes and the wrong investments, and this doesn't translate into correspondingly better or more beautifull games (and for some, the latter is the exact same as the former), all the while spouting spin and blatantly paying others to spin on it's behalf, stealing their competitors ideas halfheartedly...that when they do all that and you call them on it, well, for all intents and purposes, I might as well be a Sony hater (even if I would like them to sell a good console at a good price with great games).

-edit-
@Banacec: dude, it's a valid news story Kamalot posted. Any criticism in this thread is irrelevant. He posted a good story, and you're bitching and NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT SONY IS PLANNING. Thus, not only are you deflecting, but you're also trying to fight out a personal grudge which has no place in this thread. Bugger off or post something constructive.

[RMan]

Have you actually been through a layoff, or is that just how you imagine they work?
I was responding to someone who said layoffs were never good, I was not saying they're good, just that they are not always bad.

[blademonkey]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is looking to make structural changes to streamline business operations in order to try and remain the leader in the video game market according to GameDaily BIZ in an exclusive interview. The proposed plan reportedly would involve SCEE laying off around 10% (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=15812)of the company's staff with the goal of significantly reducing costs.


hmmmm, a 10% layoff after an "5 year high" stock value?
This reminds me of a dotcom that I got laid off of as their stock was "growing".
I wonder how much of the SCE debt Sony can funnel through other sister companies.

Lay offs always suck for alot of reasons, but if the market is ripe, it can mean a soft landing for those affected. Most of the time management does not get cut as a part of the lay offs, so I don't think this will be the only round of layoffs. Depending on how much bad/good press they have they might not mention their next rounds of layoffs, but I'm sure we'll hear about it.

I see Sony restructuring itself quietly in an effort to run as some of their competitors do. It's a bold step that shows promise for consumers in the entertainment industry. They need to compete and we will all gain from their efforts.

Sony may have made some bad moves in the past, but they have the money to burn and the time to learn. They own at LEAST 3 movie companies (Columbia, Tristar, i forget the third), and will have the flexibility to offset costs to those business entities (movie budgets are one of THE most convoluted budgets out there). Business wise, they may be some of the most clever around we'll just have to see. I also wonder if this will show a change in their marketing style/tactics (and hopefully strategies).

Interesting turn of events... :cool:

[Disgustipated]

God, the "Kamalot sux" replies are getting ridiculous.

[TrackZero]

I was responding to someone who said layoffs were never good, I was not saying they're good, just that they are not always bad.

Way to dodge the question. ;)

[Johan]

You could google Kamalot's bullshit on a dozen sites and it's the same retarded MO. Most of you guys weren't around or don't even remember his stunts before the last crash here otherwise you wouldn't even be saying a peep for his defense.

There's your problem. Why the HELL are you bothering to Google a username? Why the HELL are you carrying around resentment toward someone for shit from the past?


Move on. dot org.

[reimomo]

Right, because GI.biz are full of shit. Silly me. There's nothing you can say or do that will refute the news, so instead you resort to cheap shots on the person who posted it.

Still waiting to see how this is "good" news... Sony division/region is overextended/poorly managed/industry is in a slump, so there are going to be layoffs. Ignoring the taco bell employees proclaiming the virtuosity of layoffs, how is this good news again?

Layoffs are better than, say, bankruptcy, but running your company right beats the hell out of either.

[Johan]

Layoffs are better than, say, bankruptcy, but running your company right beats the hell out of either.

Layoffs=/= failing company.

Well run companies get rid of underperforming divisions, AND underperforming employees. Layoffs are a part of creating a profitable company and returning equity to shareholders. They're not always bad, they're not always good. They just ARE.

[Reznoriam]

You could google Kamalot's bullshit

Half asleep when I read this and I didn't pick up the bull on the first scan, that's a mental image I just didn't need.

[TDub301]

Now I am new here so I can't really comment on the whole feud going on between all the obvious EA loyalists who can't stop posting on this site and refuse to leave (by the way, Johan, although I think everyone here is cool, just cuz someone else doesn't like a particular person doesn't mean he or she still can't get along with other posters) , but when I first read the quote, it seemed to me like what is happening is Sony is starting to lose enough money now that they need to lay some people off and are covering it up with business lingo. Since Sony obviously doesn't care much about Europe, and I'm sure you all know why I would think that, it only makes sense to start laying off the European staff first, they can always do away with them, since they're not that important (being sarcastic).

In that light, I could see why he would think it was an anti-sony post, if you look at the big picture. Of course, I'm not a business whiz either and I've been a Nintendo fan since NES days so take it for what its worth I guess... I just want everyone to get along and agree to disagree

[RMan]

Way to dodge the question. ;)
I've been through periods where people were ‘let go’ for various reasons, but never a large company with mass lay-offs. In my experience, the people fired were the people that were least valuable, almost without exception. I’ve never been the ‘victim’ of a lay-off, if that was your question. The plain and simple truth is that if you tell a decent manager that people need to be let go, for any reason, they’re going to pick the least valuable people, that’s just common sense.

[reimomo]

Layoffs=/= failing company.

Well run companies get rid of underperforming divisions, AND underperforming employees. Layoffs are a part of creating a profitable company and returning equity to shareholders. They're not always bad, they're not always good. They just ARE.

I disagree that layoffs are a prerequisite to running a profitable company, and find the notion that those responsible for organizing layoffs have any CLUE as to who is a good/poor performer rather suspicious. Also, note that for a public company "being profitable" is dependent in large part on the appearance of profitability, and "returning equity to shareholders" can be, and often is, done with a minimalist attitude towards long term profitability.

It's interesting to see that you believe layoffs are a combination of "act of god" and "culling the herd". I (sincerely, with slight tongue in cheek) hope you retain your attitude should you ever be an "underperformer" during an industry wide recession, or a member of a division who's senior management is unable (or unwilling) to justify its existence. Personally, in 2001 I found the experience as satisfying as a colonoscopy in a hurricane.

Edit: In my experience there is a massive difference between a firing and a layoff. Where I work you need a substantial amount of documentation to fire even a non-union employee without fear of legal repercussions.

[Tel Prydain]

Personally, in 2001 I found the experience as satisfying as a colonoscopy in a hurricane.
And just how satisfying would that be, exactly?

[reimomo]

And just how satisfying would that be, exactly?

not so much :)

[Jack B]

Have you actually been through a layoff, or is that just how you imagine they work?

Speaking as someone who worked for WorldCom for 3 years (and survived 2 of those during the heavy layoffs), oftentimes the completely wrong people are chosen to go, crucial ones who work their ass off for the company. While complete wastes of space (who a manager or director likes, either due to personality or...physical reasons) stay on board.

Just to explain how badly layoffs were handled, we ended up losing 40%+ of our office's staff while, get this, worldwide we were the ONLY office to make a profit. I'm not fucking joking. But then again, we were just some anonymous names on a sheet. God forbid they lay off American staffers..... (I know, that's a whole other rant).

When large corporations have layoffs, they're never effective, it's just bottom line cutting and often directors and VPs making power grabs for headcount. It won't be any different at Sony.


Edit: And to clarify, I was eventually laid off, during the 8th round. Totally came out of the blue (and I went out the door with lots of other great people). To quote Kamalot:

"I got an excellent job after being laid off. I learned a lot from being laid off."

The same holds true for me. Once I got to sign off on a serverands (sp?) package, I realized how I'd never have to work for these assholes again, and all my stress vanished. I went and found a positive, productive company to work at instead and I've been happy since.

Good post on RIF's. I worked at a large company that had their first RIF in history a few years back. It was also a 10%. In our case it seemed to be fairly evenly spread thru the business. I had to choose 2 people of about 25 to go. Sure it's not perfectly fair even in that case, because you have to consider location and coverage, so someone may not be the bottom 2 of the 25, but you have coverage for them and someone else might be a bit worse, but they might be too expensive to replace.

In the end with a 10% RIF, not too many top producers get cut. Better performers can get RIF'ed, but generally it's the least valuable employees in a 10% RIF.

Oh, and believe me for anyone with a bit of compassion it's not an easy time.

[DangerousDaze]

Ok, some figures:

Most of the cuts are in the UK because we get shafted cheaply (though not quite as cheaply as the US), mostly people working for Phil Harrison. Sony London (working on HOME as well as a bunch of other stuff including SingStar) are losing 50 people
Sony Liverpool (Formula One, WipeOut) are also losing a bit over 50 people.
Sony Cambridge are losing 20 people
30 other people under David Reeves in sales, marketing and PR