More Advice for Microsoft Employees - Past and Present

I have read all the comments posted at minimsft.blogspot.com since the layoffs. If the whole of these comments represents the true environment at Microsoft, then I have two conclusions:

1. Microsoft is in more trouble than what you read in the press.
2. Microsoft's employees, present and past, thought they were living in a high-tech utopia where they were entitled to a great paying job, great benefits and a great culture that it's wonderful to belong to.

In my opinion, this really is history repeating itself. I saw all the same things at Digital Equipment Corporation. Bob Palmer came in during Summer of 1992 as the new CEO and they put founder Ken Olsen out to pasture. One of his first statements as the new CEO: "There is no job security at Digital. You have to audition for your job every day." He also turned every product unit and business unit into a profit and loss center which was accountable for its own bottom line. After 12 - 18 months, he KNEW who the losers were and who the money-makers were. Layoffs ensued. LOTS of layoffs. Eventually, the company was taken over by Compaq, which itself was merged with HP about three years later.

While Microsoft's own future as a company is as uncertain as the present Economy, I can tell the present and former employees of Microsoft that you need to wake up and understand the world. It's very Darwinian out here. (Survival of the fittest.) No one owes you anything. You must be sharp, focused, and productive and able to learn and adapt rapidly. It also doesn't hurt to be congenial. Microsoft arrogance doesn't play well in the New World. And when whatever gig you are on dries up, you must be ready to quickly move on and add value somewhere else. I have a feeling that most of you will be in denial and ignore this advice. It's OK. If and when you do get it, it will be a sign that you will probably survive and hopefully flourish in the New World.

And here is the ultimate acid test about how good you are for each of you: After you leave Microsoft, how long will it take you to find work?

Best to all of you.