Microsoft to chop 200 sales jobs

Microsoft said Thursday that it is cutting about 200 jobs as part of a realignment of its U.S. sales force.

The software maker is cutting 214 positions, including telesales and marketing jobs at its Redmond, Wash., headquarters as well as other positions in its field offices and in its public sector sales unit.

"They are aligning their organization to be more efficient and responsive to their customers," Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said. Microsoft began notifying affected workers of the cuts on Wednesday.

The software maker has never had large-scale, across-the-board layoffs, though it has made selective job cuts in various business units in the past. In 2002, for example, Microsoft axed more than 100 posts as it restructured its UltimateTV unit.

In addition to the job losses, Microsoft is creating 66 new positions, largely ones with more direct customer interaction.

Those whose jobs are being lost have been encouraged to consider one of the new positions or another opportunity within Microsoft. If they haven't found a new role within a certain period of time, they will be given standard severance packages.

The job cuts were noted earlier Thursday by Microsoft Watch.

[kieranmullen]

Who cares? They employ thousands!

OK someone please remind me how many people they employ and what percentage loss 200 people is to them? This article is rubbish.

[kieranmullen]

Oh yes cant forget

article root rubbish people have been posting

[Maccess]

Cutting the sales force is a good idea...

...when there aren't any products to sell.

"I'd like to introduce you to our Operating System Windows XP"
"Is that new?"
"Umm..uhh.. well, it's our latest shippng product."
"So it's new?"
"Uh, well, sort off, we introduced it in 2001."
"2001? umm, would that be newer than Mac OS X or some of those newfangled Linux thingies?"
"Well, it's a matured product. Can I call you again when our new product ships?"
"Sure...Call me then." <click>
Meanwhile, back in the office.
Boss: "Nice work, Sonny. I just heard from the Windows group that they won't have a new product to ship, I'd like you to take a break. Unpaid. Don't call us, we'll call you."
<Boss resumes updates his resume on dice.com>

[julie14]

new jobs

www.uniqueauction.com is offering sales jobs to people, you can contact me if you are looking for a sales job. [e-mail] and send me your CV, Resume