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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:	The Digital way of working

Moderator:	QUARK::LIONELON

Created:	Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5321
Total number of notes:	139771

2140.0. "K.O. Speaks" by USPMLO::JSANTOS () Thu Oct 01 1992 19:21

    Reprinted from the Boston Globe, October 1 issue, without permission;
    
    
                               K.O. SPEAKS
    
                  Digital founder distances himself 
                  from his company.
    
    Maynard - On his last official day as president of Digital Equipment
    Corp., founder Kenneth H. Olsen sought yesterday to distance himself
    both from the $14 billion company he founded and from his successor,
    who is scheduled to make his first public statement this morning.
    
         The 66-year-old Olsen has not spoken with reporters since he
    shocked the computer industry by stepping down July 16. Sitting in
    shirtsleeves on a bench outside his new office, Olsen talked for about
    25 minutes during the chilly afternoon, speaking in reflective tones
    with sporadic flashes of irritability.
    
         "I would like to have left after the next turnaround," said Olsen,
    who refused to answer directly as to whether he had been fired by
    Digital's board. "I do not run from problems". He added that "the
    stories are not all true. But they are not the sort of thing you
    comment on. Once you start the details go on forever."
    
         The nations second-largest computermaker has posted three straight
    quarters of operating loses, and reported a whopping loss of nearly $2
    billion for its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended June 27. That number
    included a $1.5 billion reserve that Digital has set aside for layoffs
    and plant closings. In fiscal 1992, Digital lost $2.79 billion.
    
         Olsen contradicted statements from Digital that he handpicked
    Robert B. Palmer, the vice president who officially ascends to
    president and chief executive officer today. "I wasn't directly
    involved," Olsen said, adding that "I don't have any negative thoughts"
    about the 51-year-old Palmer. Does he have, then, positive thoughts?
    "Don't ask too many hard questions," Olsen said flatly.
    
         To be sure, he did not express overwhelming confidence in Palmer,
    a seven-year veteran of Digital, or the management team he is
    assembling. "Its too early to say what they will do," Olsen said.
    Palmer will address a group of reporters and analysts at 11:30 this
    morning.
    
         Most analysts expect the 113,800-employee company to lay off
    around 15,000 workers. Olsen, who ran Digital for 35 years, maintained
    an informal no-layoffs policy until 1991. "We never used the word
    layoffs," he said. "We helped people find other jobs internally or
    externally. With the insistence of the press on numbers all the time,
    it brutalizes the whole process. It was always done gently, without the
    humiliation and brutalness of reading it in the paper. But the world is
    different now."
    
         Indeed Olsen said that he hoped Digital would not completely
    abandon his style. "Sometimes the numbers have to be more large, and
    things can't be done more slowly," he conceded. Sources close to the
    company have said that Olsen's departure at least in part resulted from
    his unwillingness to lay off large numbers of employees.
    
         If such a layoff is in the offering, Olsen certainly went to great
    pains yesterday to make it clear that "I literally haven't been
    involved" in any aspect of Digital over the last three months. He said
    his lack of involvement "just seemed like an obvious thing to do from
    everybody's point of view. It was never discussed."
    
         He said he has written hundreds of pages of advice - covering such
    subjects as how to run meetings, picking employees and the "nature of
    our business" - mostly to Palmer. He said that Palmer has welcomed his
    memos, and encouraged him to send more. "I said that when I retired,
    I'd never be one of those who interfered, but i've probably done my
    share of interfering," Olsen said.
    
         But, he added, "I never had this feeling of owenership" about
    Digital, in which he owns roughly two percent of stock. "I don't at all
    have those emotional things I think you are looking for. I'm a
    professional manager."
    
         One area about which Olsen clearly does feel emotional is the
    circumstances of his departure. He said that it was "nobody's business"
    what goes on at Digital board meetings, and claimed that "I don't know
    a lot of things." When pushed further, Olsen raised his voice saying,
    "No, no, no, don't push. Don't be a pain in the neck. I said we are not
    going to discuss it."
    
         He added, There are all kinds of implications, and they will all
    come out wrong in the Globe anyway."
    
         Asked about reports that he had told a group of engineers that he
    was fired, Olsen claimed that he did not remember saying it, but
    admitted that "senior people said I did." He rather cyptically added
    that "you're pushing too hard on words. There are different kinds of  
    meanings."
    
         As to whether he would still like to be running Digital, he said
    that "from the start, I only asked to stay as long as I was the very
    best."
    
         Apparently, that exit instinct also applies to his role as board
    members. In July Digital said that Olsen, who serves as de facto
    chairman, would serve out his term, which ends in November 1993. But on
    September 14 Digital announced that Olsen would step down as of today.
    
         Had he stayed, he said, "I would do it poorly. I know too much.
    The board is suppose to look at things at a distance and with
    objectivity. I know all the questions to ask. Its not good. I'm a nice
    member of other boards."
    
         Aside from serving on other boards, and giving speeches, Olsen did
    not elaborate on his future plans. Although he described himself as
    more of an engineer than an entrepreneur, he would not rule out
    starting another business. "I'm young, and who knows what happens in
    the future," he said. 
    
         As for the immediate future - today - Olsen said that he would not
    appear at Palmer's corporate coming-out-party. "It will be like any
    other day," said Olsen, who started Digital when he was 31-years-old.
    "I've got a list of things to do, a list of calls to make, and a bunch
    of letters I'd better answer."
    
         With that, Olsen - who was happy to have gotten his fax machine
    repaired - rose a lumbered back into the house that will now serve as
    his office. But he did allow himself one moment of sentimentality. Sort
    of.
    
         "I don't miss the hoopla. I'll miss tilting at reporters," he
    said, focusing his eyes on the one who happened to be present. "I'll
    miss them asking their dumb questions, and trying to straighten them
    out."

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2140.1	Respect	PCCAD::DINGELDEIN	PHOENIX	`Thu Oct 01 1992 22:00`	8
	As far as I can tell Ken had only one trait that caused him so much trouble as of late, he cared about the people who counted on him. His committment to excellance and his desire to achieve was contagious. I see him as a caring person in a very impersonal corporate arena. I remember how we'd all joke about how our president drove a Pinto! Kinda gives you a feel of what his priorities really are. I wouldn't be surprised if 5 years from now a new player arrives in the marketplace starts gobbling up market share. I think you know what I mean.
2140.2		CRUISE::HCROWTHER	Gotta move these re-friga-rators!	`Fri Oct 02 1992 00:41`	5
	For those of you far away from Greater Maynard, today the electric sign on the Maynard Elks lodge was flashing... Best Wishes / Badge #1 / Ken Olsen / 35 Years
2140.3	Ken's home address ?	TODD::WARNOCK	Todd Warnock @CBO	`Fri Oct 02 1992 01:57`	4
	If one wanted to write Ken Olsen (and not some corporate office that answers his mail from customers), how would they go about it ? [Is Ken's home address available ?]
2140.4		JGODCL::KWIKKEL	The dance music library 1969-20..	`Fri Oct 02 1992 07:34`	3
	.3 yes please...how? Jan.
2140.5		ASICS::LESLIE	The best is yet to be	`Fri Oct 02 1992 08:40`	3
	Try mailing him via message router, summat like SUBURB::MRGATE::"MLO::KEN OLSEN". I'm sure his mail will be forwarded to him at his new office in Stow.
2140.6	enough is enough!	GRANPA::JNOSTIN		`Fri Oct 02 1992 11:38`	9
	Noone will ever truly know the circumstances why Ken retired. It really doesn't matter anyway. He was and is a "great" man. He's caring and never forgot the employees. One could say that Ken was too trusting. I strongly believe that some employees, that includes management and in particular senior management, took advantage of Ken and his values. Everyone agrees that something must be done and done soon to get Digital back to profitability. I say "start at the top!". Enough is enough! No more "bird cage" mentality.
2140.7		VERGA::WELLCOME	Steve Wellcome PKO3-1/D30	`Fri Oct 02 1992 11:55`	4
	More than anything else, I am proud to have worked for him. Will I be proud to work for Bob Palmer? We'll see.
2140.8	Looks like the elves have been slacking off	TLE::AMARTIN	Alan H. Martin	`Fri Oct 02 1992 12:13`	15
	Page: 1 Find an Employee ELF Infobase: ZKOELF Common Name: KEN OLSEN Search Surname: OLSEN Search Given Name: KEN, KENNETH, KENNETH H DTN: 223-2301 Intrnl Mail Addr: MLO12-1/A50 Location: MLO Org Unit: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ===== Page: 1 Find an Employee ELF Infobase: ZKOELF Common Name: BOB PALMER Search Surname: PALMER Search Given Name: BOB, ROBERT, ROBERT B DTN: 223-6600, 223-6600, 223-7100 Telephone: (508)493-6600, (508)493-7100 Intrnl Mail Addr: MLO10-2/A54 Location: MLO Node: @CORE Username: BOB PALMER Org Unit: W.W. MFG HEADQUARTERS Position: PRESIDENT AND CEO ELECT
2140.9	on the contrary, the elves are VERY busy!	CTHQ::DWESSELS		`Fri Oct 02 1992 12:32`	26
	The following fields in ELF are controlled by Personnel: Common Name: Search Surname: Search Given Name: DTN: Intrnl Mail Addr: Org Unit: Employees can provided additional information in the following fields: Location Node Name Username DTNs Phones Position Org Units Searchable Given Names Searchable Surnames US and EUR update feeds are processed weekly; GIA submits monthly. With all the upheaval in the Company these days, the Elves and Personnel have been kept very, very busy maintaining the ELF/DDS database. If you would like to more thoroughly understand the process, drop me a line. /Diane
2140.10		BOT000::LANE		`Fri Oct 02 1992 13:02`	4
	Alan Martin sez "Looks like the elves have been slacking off." Alan, be _very_ careful about what you say about the elves. Next thing you know, you'll be transferred to Pango Pango to count grommets.
2140.11		CTHQ::DWESSELS		`Fri Oct 02 1992 14:37`	6
	Gee, now that I know we elves can effect transfers, I think I'll send myself on short-term re-assignment to Hawaii! 8^) /dlw
2140.12		ASICS::LESLIE	The best is yet to be	`Fri Oct 02 1992 18:11`	1
	Hawaii? Can I go to DEC New Zealand please?
2140.13	are people seriouse about it or just saying that?	STAR::ABBASI	i speak therfor i think therfor iam	`Fri Oct 02 1992 18:31`	10
	>Hawaii? Can I go to DEC New Zealand please? why do people want to go so far away from where all the actions and the excitement is happening? i mean here you can turn a corner and you might flip over a big VP or some big manager like that, but if you go Hawaii or New Zealand, you'll miss all that , and the feelings of being immersed in it all ! /Nasser
2140.14		SQM::MACDONALD		`Fri Oct 02 1992 18:43`	11
	Re: .13 > .. i mean here you can turn a corner and you might flip over a big VP or > some big manager like that ... What with the goings on in the last couple of years the VP density might now be where this is literally true. ;^) Steve
2140.15	drowning?	LGP30::FLEISCHER	without vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)	`Fri Oct 02 1992 18:59`	7
	re Note 2140.13 by STAR::ABBASI: > and the feelings of being immersed in it all ! We really are immersed in it, aren't we? Bob
2140.16	The dreaded org unit	SMAUG::GARROD	Floating on a wooden DECk chair	`Fri Oct 02 1992 22:12`	11
	Re: >BOT000::LANE 4 lines 2-OCT-1992 10:02 > >Alan, be _very_ careful about what you say about the elves. Next thing you >know, you'll be transferred to Pango Pango to count grommets. Or if you're really unfortunate to an ORG UNIT of U.S. AREA MANAGEMENT Dave
2140.17	Closer to the Continental Divide	TLE::AMARTIN	Alan H. Martin	`Sat Oct 03 1992 02:13`	4
	Re .10,.16: You don't know how close you are to the truth today. /AHM
2140.18		DIODE::CROWELL	Jon Crowell	`Sat Oct 03 1992 02:35`	8
	I'm sure you could get it to him by writing to: Mr. Kenneth H. Olsen Lincoln, MA ------------------
2140.19	Pride isn't an issue, Food on the table is ...	AUSTIN::UNLAND	Sic Biscuitus Disintegratum	`Mon Oct 05 1992 22:27`	12
	re: <<< Note 2140.7 by VERGA::WELLCOME "Steve Wellcome PKO3-1/D30" >>> > More than anything else, I am proud to have worked for him. Will > I be proud to work for Bob Palmer? We'll see. I, too, am proud to have worked for K.O. As for the second part of it, the question is more likely how long will I be working for Bob Palmer, not whether I'm proud of it or not ...
2140.20	I'd go work for that comany!!	GUIDUK::EVANS_BR	Bruce Evans, CASE Consultant	`Mon Oct 05 1992 22:45`	11
	re: basenote I think there are quite a number of DECies that would go work with Ken in a flash due to his personality style (eg: caring, hard-working, ethics). I hope he does start a new business. It would give DEC a run for the money! Just as Ken always maintained that competition is good for an organization, I think this would be good! Bruce Evans
2140.21	Ken's address	TODD::WARNOCK	Todd Warnock @CBO	`Tue Oct 06 1992 01:07`	18
	re.3 (answering my own question :-) It appears to be corporate policy (at least "Ken's Office Policy") not to give out his home address. However, I was told that I could avoid the administrative shuffle by sending mail to either his electronic mail account or to: 146 Main Street, MLO12-1/A50, Maynard, MA 0l754 Todd As an interesting note, here's Ken's "title" on his return mail: From: NAME: Ken Olsen FUNC: President Emeritus TEL: 223-2301 <OLSEN.KEN AT A1 at CORA @ CORE>
2140.22		LGP30::FLEISCHER	without vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)	`Tue Oct 06 1992 20:24`	12
	re Note 2140.21 by TODD::WARNOCK: > As an interesting note, here's Ken's "title" on his return mail: > > > From: NAME: Ken Olsen > FUNC: President Emeritus > TEL: 223-2301 <OLSEN.KEN AT A1 at CORA @ CORE> I note that Ken is already out of ELF. Bob
2140.23		ROULET::JOERILEY	Everyone can dream...	`Wed Oct 07 1992 06:18`	5
	I kind of feel cheated. I've worked for DEC for 18 years now and I've never met Ken and now it looks like I never will. Joe
2140.24	He can be found . . .	CAPNET::CROWTHER	Maxine 276-8226	`Wed Oct 07 1992 11:09`	11
	<<< Note 2140.23 by ROULET::JOERILEY "Everyone can dream..." >>> > I kind of feel cheated. I've worked for DEC for 18 years now > and I've never met Ken and now it looks like I never will. > Joe Ken will have an office in the Stow facility starting in November. Why don't you call his secretary or send a mail message and set up an appointment?
2140.25		SSDEVO::ROLLOW	And then there were none...	`Fri Oct 09 1992 03:53`	6
	Right before the announcement of his retirement, there was an announcement that K.O. would be visiting a number of facilities. When I saw that Colorado Springs wasn't on the list my response varied from "So what" to "Isn't that special". Please remember that there is lots of DEC out- side Greater Maynard.
2140.26		NOTIME::SACKS	Gerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085	`Fri Oct 09 1992 14:39`	1
	Clearly nobody in Colorado told him how great the fishing is out there.
2140.27		NABETH::alan	And then there were none...	`Fri Oct 09 1992 16:59`	3
	Ah, so that's how it works... So what are BP's hobbies? Knowing that we can find a suitable incentive to come here if he decides to go on a road trip.
2140.28	Colorado Rocky Mountain Hi-eeeeeeeeeeeee!	SWAM2::MCCARTHY_LA	They gave me the Digital salute!	`Fri Oct 09 1992 18:11`	1
	You're in luck! He likes to ski!
2140.29		ASICS::LESLIE	Andy Leslie	`Sat Oct 10 1992 13:19`	4
	Alan, Is there a Posche factory there that I missed? :-)