Microsoft Memo Buries Layoff News in 11th Paragraph, Greets Readers with Cheery 'Hello There&#39

[chrisj1968]

http://cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/kelly-lawyer/microsoft-memo-buries-layoff-news-11th-paragraph-greets-readers-cheery-hello?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Marketing&utm_term=Facebook&utm_content=Facebook&utm_campaign=B-Microsoft-Memo

 

On Thursday, Microsoft announced it would cut 18,000 jobs (14% of the company workforce) in the next year, the largest reduction in company history. Since its acquisition of Nokia, experts predicted there would be some layoffs, but the number is double the amount predicted.

Stephen Elop, head of Microsoft's device unit (the hardest hit by the layoffs) and former CEO of Nokia, proceeded to bury the news about 12,500 layoffs in the eleventh paragraph of a corporate memo.  Elop begins the memo with a cheery "Hello there," stating Microsoft's strategy is "focused on productivity and our desire to help people 'do more." He goes on to explain the company plans to "refocus efforts" and concentrate on its phones, the "area it can add the most value."

Elop continues for several more paragraphs explaining the new strategy and plan for the company. After going on and on, he finally delivers the news employees are waiting to read in two sentences: "We plan that this would result in an estimated reduction of 12,500 factory direct and professional employees over the next year. These decisions are difficult for the team, and we plan to support departing team members' with severance benefits."

Elop closes the memo giving an overview of what's next for his department and a heartfelt "regards."

 

excerpt

 

 

 

We plan that this would result in an estimated reduction of 12,500 factory direct and professional employees over the next year. These decisions are difficult for the team, and we plan to support departing team members' with severance benefits.

 

Hmm. Memo is provided at the link above. smooth move MS!

[123456789A]

So this is why they removed Autosummarize from Word.