Comments on: Ballmer's e-mail to employees regarding layoffs

Here is the e-mail that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent to employees this morning, as the company announced poor earnings and major layoffs.

[AppleSuxLeo]

The sweaty , fat guy needs to go.

[iamkmsdove]

I understand that companies have to do what they need to do to prepare for future growth, however did Microsoft cut any offshoring resources or H1B Visa employees? He started the process of cut-backs when he requested more H1B visas. This was just a move to prepare for future cut-backs by replacing higher paid employees with lower paid employees.

An increasing amount of companies have tried replacing employees with offshore resources. I worked for one and left on my own accord. It was disheartening to watch. I guess all companies have to get on the bandwagon of distress to qualify for an economic stimulus. Even the porn industry tried it.

[Dayfydd]

I must agree with kenniec47 that top mgmt should share the pain of their subordinates...it's not only the economy but some very poor strategies that caused revenues to fall below expectations. Not to be minimized is the fact that you will have a much harder time being arrogant and throwing your weight around when buyers are barely putting food on the table; just as the govt discovered, there's a limit to how far you can push people before they stop spending.

[h3lder]

@fryedace:
"We like capitalism here, it works, we have proven that. Socialism doesn't, the rest of the world has proven that."

1 - We like? We who? You and the ex-Microsoft employees? Or you and Ballmer?
How can you simply say "it works" when THOUSANDS of your country man (and women) are hitting the streets? Does it sound to you "it's working"?
I think you Americans are smart enough to see it (capitalism) has, at least, one or two flaws! I'm not saying you should change to a radically new economic system, but you sure could improve yours. Don't let things like this happen and keep thinking it's a normal thing. ["oh, they just didn't work hard enough"]

1.1 - What's that "the rest of the world has proven that"? What's that suppose to mean?
You're funny. How exactly have WE - since I'm with the rest of the world - proven to you (Fryedace) that socialism doesn't work? You don't travel much do you?

2 - Capitalism is not all bad but pleeeease! This is not only about capitalism being bad or bot.
Ballmer just said MSFT numbers are up and still they're going to layoff 5000 people? Does that sound normal?
You're comfortably at your desk, giving what you got to the company, looking at your results (POSITIVE ONES), and suddenly your Boss sends you an e-mail... saying "due to new strategies you are dismissed! Good luck out there, send us postcards!"
What? That's EVIL.

@kenniec47:
If he did that he wouldn't have to fire all those 5 thousand now would he?

I don't even want to imagine what your (USA) companies that don't have profits to show are thinking about doing right now...