Conference 7.286::digital

    why everyone except Adriana Stadecker and Bill Strecker received two
    copies of the mail.

How can someone imagine that work can't be disrupted by the obvious lack
of information and direction given to the individual contributors ?

<<
    Do not be surprised or distracted when
    speculation swirls with each real and imagined move we make.  Keep in
    mind that this is a time for urgency, not panic.  We will make
    announcements when we are ready to do so.  We will head off or respond
    to speculation that is misleading, ...     
>>

If senior management reads this notes file, if the latest employee survey was
of any use, or if line managers read this note file and are informed of 
what's going on, please I'd really like to see any misleading speculation
to be dismissed and 

<< clear and compelling messages >> to be carried first to employees, then
to the marketplace.

Thanks,

Christian-Luc

Re .1 that was an unfortunate double paste from my A1 window. 

    A lot of words to say very little, IMO
    
    Laurie.

    re .4:
    
    I agree.
    
    Where's the clear communication?

>>>    Where's the clear communication?

	Frustrating...that's all I can say.


	RC

    SEE NOTE 3177.35 for the Official Reuters Statement

re: .5, .6

The communication is very clear...Digital will keep us hanging in the wind,
treating us like mushrooms.

Bob

    We are a like a ship without a rudder.

    Jim

    re:.9
    No, ship without a rudder is not right; that'll still float.
    
    A local pilot tells me:  If a glider-plane stalls and then turns
    sideways, it won't resume its natural buoyancy; instead, it'll spiral
    downwards.  That's the literal "death spiral".

    Is the glass half empty of half full?   
    
    It's too bad some people have to dwell in negative speculation and
    cannot even begin to see the good things this corporation has going
    for it.  We will have a promising future once we get thru these times.  
    
    For all of the doubting thomas's out there who feel differently about
    the last 2 sentences maybe it's time to either stop your whining and
    start contributing positive acts towards the rebound of this company or
    find another company where everything suits your criteria for what a
    'perfect company' is.   

    RE: .9  by PCCAD::RICHARDJ 
    
    >We are a like a ship without a rudder.
    
    What good is a rudder if you don't know which direction to go?
    

>    For all of the doubting thomas's out there who feel differently about
>    the last 2 sentences maybe it's time to either stop your whining and
>    start contributing positive acts towards the rebound of this company or
>    find another company where everything suits your criteria for what a
>    'perfect company' is.   

Thanks.  I was beginning to think that all the love-it-or-leave-it people
were gone.

-steve-

    >For all of the doubting thomas's out there who feel differently about
    >the last 2 sentences maybe it's time to either stop your whining and
    >start contributing positive acts towards the rebound of this company or
    >find another company where everything suits your criteria for what a
    >'perfect company' is.   
    
    I have been contributing positive acts , especially for the last
    sixteen months (the date of my last performance review).  My reward
    for my positive acts was a salary and promotion freeze.  I don't want
    a perfect company, I want a company that treats its employees with
    a minimum of dignity.  DEC used to be such a company.
    
    					andrew

Re. Note 3180.11  CSC32::C_BENNETT 
    
>    Is the glass half empty of half full?   
 
    	Well, a glass is half full when it is being filled. It is 
    	half empty as it is being emptied. How would you view Digital?
    
>    It's too bad some people have to dwell in negative speculation and
>    cannot even begin to see the good things this corporation has going
>    for it.  We will have a promising future once we get thru these times.  
    
    	Like the non-news from the BOD re: details of our revitalization
    	plan? Or maybe the tens of thousands being fired? Or the salary
    	freeze? etc. etc. Gee, ain't it grand!
    
>    ... start contributing positive acts towards the rebound of this company or
    
    	Doing what, for whom, from where, in which organization?
    
    

    
    .....you got to love it break your ass, work hard, think positive, stay
    focused........
                          sorry your services are no longer needed because
    somebody up stairs mismanaged 
    
    
    hornet
    

    Re: .-1
    
    Exactly.  My problem with .0 is that Mr. Palmer is making
    *life-changing* decisions for the majority of grunts in this company. 
    Of course, at 500K (guess) per year, if the company goes under he still
    floats.  I don't.  Let's spin this a bit: Let's hold a meeting to
    decide the fate of Mr. Palmer - don't worry, just have a sense of
    urgency.  We'll let you know in 6 months if you still have a job.
    Oh, keep the productivity up.
    
    This company needs to decide if its employees are still trustworthy. 
    If they aren't, let me know - I can and will work elsewhere.  If they
    are, *involve* them in the process.  We won't discuss the official
    salary freeze.
    
    chg

    .14  I don't want a perfect company, I want a company that treats its 
    .14  employees with a minimum of dignity.
    
    You still get a check every week? , benefits?  you can still forward
    your career with one of the worlds best computer companies.  I don't
    take these for granted as there are alot of people out there who are
    not as fortunate.    
    
    Face it everyone's going thru stressful times here at Digital but to
    dwell and stew in it doesn't do much for overall morale and is 
    counterproductive unless you take positive steps.
    
    .14 how could Digital treat you in a more dignified manor? 
    
    
    

    The problem is we do care.  
    
    If my project is slipping and over budget I don't give a presentation
    to the rest of the company that says, we had a group meeting and have
    decided what to do, trust us well do it and tell you later.  I give my
    managment and effected groups the facts and my plan to turn the group
    around.  If I didn't do this I would expect to be fired.
    
    Mr. Palmer is telling us and the financial community who happen to own
    the company stock, trust me I'll do the right thing.  I don't believe
    his track record supports this level of trust.
    
    I work hard here I don't mind sacrificing but I do expect this company
    to be run by the same standards I would expect from any company I
    invest in (that is both time and money).
    
    

    
    Surely the implict message to be read from the Palmer mail, is that the
    company are engaged, or will be engaged shorlty in negotiations with
    other companies.
    
    Until such time as agreements are concluded, then it would be extremely
    unwise to announce your plans, and give away any bargining advantages!
    
    (At least I hope thats whats happening, if however, its a case of you
    cant be trusted, just jump when I say booo, then I too will be pi**ed
    off.
    
    Patrick
    
    

    Re .17
    >This company needs to decide if its employees are still trustworthy. 
    
    Judging by the amount of confidential info that shows up word-for-word
    in the Boston Globe and the Wall Street Journal, I'd say that at least
    *SOME* of its employees most defintely ARE NOT trustworthy. 
    
    Without knowing which ones are and which ones are not, what would you
    decide to do with info that could negatively affect the future of you
    and the corporation if it got outside the compay too soon?
    
    Stop and think about it for a minute. All of the rumors and such are
    started internally by employees that are disgruntled and/or have too
    much time on their hands. They aren't started by Bob Palmer, the SLT or
    the BOD. The facts that do come from those folks need to be carefully
    worded and concise so as not to divulge any future plans that our
    competitors could use against us (either while talking to customers or
    to plan their own product strategies to compete with us).
    
    Since there are still some employees that can't be trusted with that
    info, it must be a highly guarded secret until the time is right to let
    us know. Although some folks seem to think that we should be privvy to
    every single tidbit of info from the top, it just doesn't work that
    way, at Digital or any other large company. As more people gain
    knowledge, the potential for leaks grows geometrically.
    
    Harry
    

    I truly believe this company doesn't care a about employee
    satisfaction.  
    
    If it did, many of its actions these past few years would be very
    different from what has actually taken place.

    >.14  I don't want a perfect company, I want a company that treats its 
    >.14  employees with a minimum of dignity.
    >
    >You still get a check every week? , benefits?  you can still forward
    >your career with one of the worlds best computer companies.  I don't
    >take these for granted as there are alot of people out there who are
    >not as fortunate.    
    
    	A career?  With no raises and no promotions?  With no statement
    	of purpose, vision, or focus for over four years?  With rumors
        swirling every day about the imminent dismantling of the company?
    	With negotiations for the possible sale of Digital assets being 
        announced?  With stock price at 1/10th of what it was a few years
        ago?  It doesn't matter that this is one of the best computer
        companies in the world, it is in serious trouble.
     
        
    >Face it everyone's going thru stressful times here at Digital but to
    >dwell and stew in it doesn't do much for overall morale and is 
    >counterproductive unless you take positive steps.
    
    	I've taken the positive steps -- I've gone above and beyond the
   	call of duty.  It hasn't helped.  The hemorrhage continues.
    
    >.14 how could Digital treat you in a more dignified manor [sic]? 
    	
        Treat me like an adult who has a stake in Digital's future. Don't
        dangle me in the winds of uncertainty for another six months. Stop
        issuing press releases that are content free.  As stated above,
        include me in the process of helping to get this company back on
        its feet.  Stop saying "we can't tell you the details."
        Stop telling me to stop whining.
        
                                                andrew

Re: .0

>>  ....I want you to be the first to know that the Board unanimously 
>>  supports our direction and progress.


Lest we forget, the BOD reportedly stood up and cheered when BP announced the
ill-fated CBU organizational re-structure, which was at least two 
re-organizations ago.

Methinks BOD approval is akin to George Steinbrenner saying he "supports
his (Yankee) manager 100%" just prior to firing him.

    By now you have a career if they promise not to fire you until 1998.
    :-)
    
    Ronald

    Re: .22
    
      Touche' about the trust issues - although it is not what I was
    getting after.  Mr. Palmer and the BOD are directly responsible for the
    affairs of 85,000 people.  The rumor is swirling that Rdb is going to
    be sold - think I'll take Rdb training?  What about all s/w
    development?  If this company has decided to move away from s/w, I'd
    like to know.
    
    Charlie

>    Stop and think about it for a minute. All of the rumors and such are
>    started internally by employees that are disgruntled and/or have too
>    much time on their hands. They aren't started by Bob Palmer, the SLT or
>    the BOD.

I'm not convinced that none of the leaks are from the top.

.24>    A career?  With no raises and no promotions?  With no statement
.24>    of purpose, vision, or focus for over four years?  With rumors
.24>    swirling every day about the imminent dismantling of the company?
.24>    With negotiations for the possible sale of Digital assets being 
.24>    announced?  With stock price at 1/10th of what it was a few years
.24>    ago?  It doesn't matter that this is one of the best computer
.24>    companies in the world, it is in serious trouble.

Cut it out, OK? You're making us sound like another Wang or somthing.

Lee

    Folks,
    
    	My Radar Warning Receiver is beeping?  Should I believe it?  

    
    
    Last word...
    
    During a Top level board meeting in Geneva 16/06/94 Mr Bob Palmer
    announced his Resignation from the company.  Also that Digital
    Consulting had been sold to AT&T.. and that Digital Will out source all
    it's sales force..!!!
    
    

    You have to ask yourself when does Loyalty become Stupidity
    
    Another who has gone way and above what is required and had the
    promotion and raise frozen.
    
    Glenn

    He was not in Geneva.
    
    Nice try.  Where did you hear that?
    
    
    Michael

    
    There appears to be two kinds of people within this conference. Those
    with a positive let's work together and pull through this sort of
    attitude and those with a this company treats me like dirt and I could
    do better elsewhere type of attitude.
    
    Well to the latter group, if the company does treat you like dirt and
    you can do better elsewhere then leave and go elsewhere, stop dragging
    the company down with your defeatist attitudes, go drag another down.
    Or is it as I suspect that you live in fear of being laid off because
    you know that once out of the confines of your cushy job you wont be
    able to find that other employer to look after you.
    
    Digital is not a charity. It is a company with the aim of making a
    profit in order that it's employees can share in it's success. The
    management need a certain amount of space to be able to do that in and
    it needs employees like those in the first group I mentioned who are
    willing to work not whinge.
    
    Chris

    WRT: 3180.35 -- you just don't get it, do you?

    re:-.1
    
    NO! You don't get it.  I love this company; but THEY DON'T OWE ME
    NOTHIN....
    
    I come to work everyday and go above and beyone because I CHOOSE to do
    so, and because Digital pays me a good salary to do so.  Trust and
    loyalty between us is that for the money you pay me, my job plan says
    I'll do XXX.  I DO XXX and then some because it's my choice....
    
    I have been relatively quiet on this subject because I'm busy doing my
    job, supporting my customers, selling and protecting Digital's
    reputation from those out there that continue to TRY to further destroy
    it.  I'm appauled (sp) at some of the comments in here.....
    
    I cry just about every week because a long time friend has left this
    company for one reason or another.  I see their management, and their
    management, and their management demoralized by the duty they are
    forced to perform in order to help this company back on it's feet. 
    From what I've seen, management IS NOT PLEASED that they have to make
    some very difficult choices; but if they don't make them, someone else
    will make them for them.....
    
    I'll go now before I get carried away.....
    
    }8^{
    JP
    

    
    RE.35....you forgot about the third kind of people in this note....
    
    the ones who have worked hard for years to see a bunch of overpaid
    
    chuckle heads in suits screw the living life out digital and get a pat
     
    on the back and a big chuck of change as they leave......
    
    its called seeing the light and being a realist....
    
    hornet
    

    re .35
    
    Chris,
    
    Your comment is too "black and white".  There are not two types of
    people in thie conference, there are a whole bunch of people very
    concerned about the future viability of Digital and their employment 
    here.  Many employees have said "enough is enough" and quite with no
    package.  
    
    I think we can agree there is a great deal of stress in the
    corporation.  Life at DEC (Digital) is a lot different and people are
    dealing with the stress the best way they can.  Some vent on notes ...
    others close their eyes to the problems and are DEC bigots, and others
    find ways to deal with it in a completely different manner, like
    ratholing a note with talk of older products from days gone by like I
    have done in another entry.  
    
    Constantly complaining about the problems is not good, but neither is
    saying "get out if you don't like it here".  Many folks have a great
    deal invested in this corporation.  I have been here 18 years since the
    age of 19 and I will stay as long as I feel like I can contribute to
    the success of this corporation - then I'll get out.   So, I guess I am
    asking that we be talerant of each others views and stop the
    judgement of people that we no little about and discuss the issues ...
    or we can talk about an RK01 I worked on 17 years ago at Western
    Electric?!?!?!
    

Re: .35

If the problems could be solved by kicking out the 'whiners' and
retaining the 'sunshine people', then why do we continue to TFSO those
with good attitudes? Seemingly the corporation does not share the same
opinion as you.

Lee

    
    My feelings on the subject is, I enjoy working for Digital, I believe
    in the products, I have a good working relationship within our business
    unit.
    
    I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY JOB... People are not slating the company just
    keeping an eye out for their own personal future.
    
    As many of the other people, not one of my customers ever refer to any
    of the press statements whether good or bad all their intrested in is
    doing a good job for their company and recommending the correct
    hardware to implement... if thats Digital then great, if not on to the
    next one..  The more people buy the more they will believe in their
    suppliers..!!!
    
    

    
    Monday June 20th is almost here.
    
    

    Meaning?
    
    Re: last few ranters
    
    I love my job.  However, it comes with a great deal of stress -
    application software development and phone support (go figure).  I came
    to Digital because I was impressed with the engineering and the can-do
    management attitude.  I still think we have the best people making the
    best products.  Consistantly, I have been told that our DC people are
    the best in the business, just pricy (the old used oats vs. fresh
    oats debate).
    
    However, this debate is about the attitude in .0.  It is unrealistic to
    expect people not to wonder what the heck is going on when the CEO is
    *surprised* by a 183 million dollar loss.  And about the commnets of
    selling certain parts of the business?  And we're not supposed to
    wonder?
    
    True, I work for a paycheck; I'd be the first to tell you about the
    weekly contract. But that isn't what the note is about.

    re: 32
    
    >  Last word...                                                           
                                                      
    > During a Top level board meeting in Geneva 16/06/94 Mr Bob Palmer           
      announced his Resignation from the company....
    
    The board (and Palmer) met in Maynard on 16/06/94. Palmer later
    released a note to the company, with no mention of his leaving. Some or
    all of what is rumored *may* be true, but there seems to be a rumor
    frenzy developing - which can't help anyone.
    
    The "right" thing to happen is for someone to tell us what our fates
    are. There is a real chance some of us will not be needed as the result
    of upcoming actions, and we deserve to know that as soon as possible.
    In exchange for some truth I for one would promise to not spread any
    rumors, and either get back to work or get back to a job search.
    
    The depression within the company is real. We are all affected. Our
    families are all affected. Senior management: please tell us what is
    going to happen to us and let us get on with our lives!
    
    At recent meetings it has been clear that senior management (or at
    least some VP level folks) don't know what our future business will be,
    so they don't know who will be needed, or what groups will be here and
    how they will be run, or even where people will be located. Wow. I
    would be terrified to tell my management that I did not know what my
    team would be doing, or how, or when, or where. They expect me to know
    these things. And I expect them to set direction and strategy. It's
    been too long while we all wait for this. IMHO someone's not doing
    their job!
     

    re .42
    
    What happens on Monday June 20th?  (other than that the part for my darn
    car is supposed to come in so I can quit begging rides from people for
    the last week and a half, I mean.)  Must've missed a rumor...?
    
    /Charlotte

    6/20/94....(Rumoured) Major cuts in Sales & USLS (US Logistics
    Services)...... Thought everyone had heard this one...
    
    Toodles.....JP
    

    All I want from Mr. Palmer, or a designated official representative, is
    some statement of company direction that is as clear as that purely
    speculative holding-company rumor.  That had a clear statement of what
    our core businesses were, where investments would be made, and what
    would be peripheral.  You could look at a project or an idea and say,
    "Yes, that's the direction we're moving," or "No, that doesn't fit with
    what we want to be working on."  
    
    Well, if that rumor is untrue, then what is the truth?  What is this
    clear direction?  If it's so clear, why does it have to be kept secret
    from the people who have to implement it?  As a contractor, I'm not as
    directly affected, but the people around me are going crazy.  They'd be
    perfectly willing to work their tails off to pull this company out of
    the slide, if they knew what to do that would help.  
    
    --bonnie

I just saw BP in Ciro's restaurant in Maynard.  He seemed to be enjoying 
his lunch.  I wonder if that means something...

Let me call CNN...

    What did he order??  Inquiring minds want to know ...

What was his tip?

    <--    "sell"
    
    
    ;<

    I really think it was "Buy Digital" - or was it "Bye, Digital"?

    	It doesn't seem too long ago that I watched BP in a DVN tell us
    that we "can't cut our way to profitability" and we now have to "grow
    the Enterprise".  These are not direct quotes, but pretty close as I
    remember.  Now we seem to be in the process of deciding which parts of
    the "Enterprise" to sell so that we can afford to lay off what's left.
    There is no credibility anymore.
    					JT

    Actually, he slipped the tip under the placemat, rolled it up,
    and was heard saying the waitperson would know what the tip was
    as the placemat unfolds in the future.
    
    /Bob

re: .-1

<sound_of_respectful_applause>

-Jack

    RE:  many previous...
    
    Rumors are the lifeblood of this company now.  No one tells us
    anything, so how else are we supposed to figure out what is happening? 
    As an example...I work in MCS Sales Business Ops, and had projects in
    process with many, many MCS New and Base sellers at the end of May. 
    When we suddently TFSO'd over 50% of those New sellers in this region,
    it was almost two weeks before I could get hold of a new org chart to
    find out who was left to handle these projects in process.  Meanwhile,
    thousands and thousands of dollars in Q4 revenue lay fallow.
    
    That is actually a *positive* result...2 weeks isn't bad compared to
    the two or more *years* we have been waiting to find out what the SLT
    is really going to do to restore us to that elusive profitability.
    
    I love my job, respect my local managers, believe in Digital products
    and services.  I don't believe in an SLT that doesn't believe in and
    support *me*.
    
    M.

    Apparently the BOD has announced a freeze on rumors. Any existing
    rumors can continue to be circulated, modified etc, but no new rumors
    will be allowed to be generated. 
    
    

    RE: .59
    
    I heard the same thing but that it was retroactive to January 1st, 
    which, of course, means that rumors circulated after 1/1/94 have to
    be retracted.
    
    < sigh >  :^/
    
    There were some good ones in that period.
    

    No, only inauthentic rumours are to be retracted.
    Authentic rumours can continue to circulate.
    Not too sure what the status of authenticated rumours is though...

    As you  all  know,  in the  current  climate  at Digital,  rumours  are
    proliferating. Please be aware that in order to control their  creation
    and spread, the Senior Leadership Team have set up an Office for Rumour
    Approval ("ORAl").
    This executive function will vet all new stories and ensure that  there
    are enough available for all of Digital's  staff to have a new  subject
    of conversation each day. 
    In fact, it is strongly rumoured that the current note is an  unfounded
    rumour issued from that office.

    It's also being rumoured that authenticated rumors must be spelt
    as "rumor" and inauthenticated rumours must be spelt as "rumour".
    Rumour Control and Rumor Control will work closely together to
    ensure timely implementation. Rumour firewalls and high
    speed rumour/rumor gateway bridges will provide the necessary logistical
    and security support.
    
    Of course, since this is only being rumoured this is obviously just
    a rumour and as such should be considered inauthentic.
    
                               

    Re: .-1
    
    This was of course meant as humo(u)r.

>>    Of course, since this is only being rumoured this is obviously just
>>    a rumour and as such should be considered inauthentic.
  

...and will be considered rumour until VP's of Rumor and Rumour Control
are announced.  
                               

One [of the many] rule[s] of Digital politics:

    If a rumour *is* officially, publicly denied by a company spokesperson,
    then in all likelihood it is *not* true.
    
    If a rumour is *not* denied, or company spokespersons "decline to comment",
    then in all likelihood it *is* true.

Any historical/anecdotal evidence regading the accuracy of the above? :-)

...petri

As you can see by my node name, I have been vested with the responsibility of
disseminating all offical rumors.  Once a rumor has been disseminated by me, it
has been formally authenticated and is ready for distribution to the media!

BTW, anyone want to buy my node name from me?   I'll take money, your first
born, anything...

    About rumo(u)rs...
    
    So I heard Digital will hire 250 wellpayed managers to manage the lay
    off of the 20000 LLL's (Low Level Labourers). Which of course needs to
    be managed, so there is a jobopening for 25 managers who will appoint
    those 250 managers. They say.....
    
    Ronald

    
    Adriana Stadecker is leaving Digital to form her own consulting firm,
    now that's a lot of confidence isn't it!
    
             Mark

You're assuming she wasn't pushed out.

Source:         DowVision-Wall Street Journal-WJ
Size:   1101
Sentinel Delivered by Groupware Advanced Development:   
DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY BY INFORMATION PROVIDER AGREEMENT:    

  MAYNARD, Mass. -- Adriana Stadecker, an officer and vice president of
executive operations at Digital Equipment Corp., will resign to form a
consulting firm, the computer maker said.
  Analysts speculate her departure could be significant because she has
close ties to Robert B. Palmer, Digital's chief executive, whom she has
long served as an aide and strategic planner. They say her departure could
be a signal that Mr. Palmer's tenure is short.
  Mr. Palmer has been under pressure to cut costs and turn Digital around
after a long period of losses and turmoil. While Digital is seen as having
strong products, it is burdened with high operating costs, a legacy of the
company's roaring success through the 1980s.
  Mr. Palmer last week told senior managers that the company's board
"unanimously supports" his efforts to turn Digital around.
  A Digital insider insisted that Ms. Stadecker's departure had nothing to
do with Mr. Palmer's status. "I wouldn't read too much into it," he said
yesterday. Ms. Stadecker, 48 years old, who joined the company in 1981,
couldn't be reached for comment.
-

    
    	My tea leaves (or Tarot cards-take your pick) say old RP's point
    person is off scouting the terrain. Methinks RP is gone by October.
    
    	The way things are going today - the board could do a lot worst
    if it hired my good Chicago buddy from Kraft days - Mike Miles.
    He being the former CEO of Phil Morris - the coffin nail kings.
    
    	Now THAT would be an interesting speculation.
    
    		the Greyhawk

    I'm doing the best I can to keep a positive attitude, because I DO
    think this company has some of the best talent and we CAN turn
    around...
    
    but it is frustrating (regarding .0) when you hear about what is going
    on in your company from customers and family calling you on the phone,
    "I hear Digital..."  before you hear it internally.
    
    There are many managers who deny things too...when asked directly by
    their employees (I'm not speaking of my current manager either) and
    then find out later that it was true in the first place...
    
    THAT is frustrating...the lack of internal communication...