| You know, it is kind of ironic that Mr. Palmer would draw a parallel to
DEC er, Digital and the early pilgrims.
Here is another:
You see, when they [pilgrims] first arrived on our shores they agreed
to practice a primitive form of collectivism.
They nearly starved. There was no incentive when the fruits and hard
work of a few, were confiscated and given to those who did little to
create them - such as those who 'appointed' themselves to 'oversee'
things. Only when they returned to principles of private property and
allowed individuals to prosper from their own hard work did they become
a thriving population.
For too long DEC has been a welfare system for the barely competant and
those only suited to managing 'processes'. The productive and the
innovative are burning out, and are leaving for other colonies.
Get the Picture ?
Publius
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| Sometimes communications from the top need a bit of clarifying before they make
sense. Here's an enhanced version of .0, to help folks read between the lines.
:-)
From: NAME: Robert E Palmer @MLO
FUNC: Office of the Prez
TEL: <PREZ AT A1 at SALES at MRO>
To: See Below (Distribution List Truncated)
TO: All U.S. Employees
FROM: Bobbie Palmer
SUBJECT: Thanksgiving Message
With its deep roots firmly entrenched in New England, Digital has much in
common with the area's early Pilgrim settlers. (And what with the recent
retrenchments, Digital is fast returning toward being a New England-based
company housed in a single building.) Like them we have encountered
adversity, and remained optimistic in the face of uncertainty simply
because we didn't in our wildest imaginations expect things to turn
out as bad as they would. Like them, we face much uncertainty ahead.
But if you should be hungry or cold this holiday season, remember that
this is but one more evidence of the heritage we share with the Pilgrims.
In fact, Digital is in many ways like Plymouth Rock, which, over the years,
has had pieces pulled off and taken by many people as souvenirs, and the
mass which remains is as a result much smaller and less impressive than the
original was. But at least you can still see it today. Don't dwell on
the fact that those at higher levels had bigger hammers and chisels and
took bigger chunks as a result. Don't even think about Ed Lucente and
what he got with that jackhammer.
Like those early settlers, we also find it appropriate at this time of
year to pause and give thanks, even though, like them, roughly a third
of us may not be around, come Spring. We also find it appropriate to
mourn those pioneers from our ranks who have fallen with arrows in their
backs, often from management's bows; but we are comforted in knowing
that on the whole, they are in a much better place now, and many of you
reportedly speak with awe as you contemplate the transition packages they
received, and some even yearn to be with them, with or without a package.
The upcoming holiday will give most of you an opportunity for a
well-deserved feast. Considering that the pay freeze which I in my
official capacity as CEO tried to lift on November 1 will not actually be
lifted by the entrenched Digital bureaucracy until January 17, and then
only for one-fourth of you at best during each quarter, we recommend that
you take advantage of the traditional generosity and hospitality exhibited
at this time of the year and either eat at the home of a relative or at one
of the many free Thanksgiving meals for the destitute offered in most
communities. In attempting to procure a Thanksgiving meal, remember our
new motto, "Whatever it takes" which replaces "Do the right thing."
It should also be an opportunity for you to reflect with a good deal
of pride on the many things you and your colleagues have accomplished
during the past year. The Alpha chip has gone from the second-most-
popular RISC chip behind MIPS to the third-most-popular behind PowerPC
and MIPS, but at least we don't have to include that pesky AXP anti-acronym
anymore. And we still have the fastest microprocessor in the world, even
if few actually want to buy it. We may even find a buyer for FAB-6 this
coming year.
It is my expectation that many of you will enjoy a special treat on
Thanksgiving day in seeing the first Digital television advertisements
aside from PBS sponsorhips. We want to assure you that Digital's Public
Relations staff is geared up and ready to handle a possible report of K.O.'s
demise if he should die of shock upon seeing (or hearing) any of these ads.
As you observe the holiday I want you to know that you have earned
gratitude, beyond words, for the many contributions and sacrifices you
make on Digital's behalf every day. And I want you to know that as
your colleagues drop like flies or flee to greener pastures, you who
naively remain will be asked to make even more sacrifices and give up
even more benefits in the future. But if Digital continues turning
around, there is a chance you may also share in the rewards, provided
you own large amounts of stock or have access to stock option grants.
Don't dwell on memories of Canobie Lake or Elitch's this Thanksgiving
season, and certainly try not to think about turkeys, as that would be
counter-productive.
I am happy to report that our need for layoffs is quickly drawing to a
close. In fact, with our current attrition rates, we may need to actually
start hiring in earnest just to try to keep up with the flow. In
anticipation of this trend, please start telling your friends and neighbors
that Digital is a good place to work, and that you take back all those
things you said before.
I frequently tell people that it is a privilege and an honor to lead
the Digital team, but they tend not to believe me. Please rest assured
that in the event that we are unable to find a buyer for your particular
division of the company, we will declare it a core competency, if we don't
outsource you to a vendor.
Anyway, at this time of year it seems even more important to express my
sincere thanks and to wish each of you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.
I may not get a chance to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Best regards,
Bobbie Palmer
DIGITAL INTERNAL USE ONLY Document
To Distribution List:
<censored>
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re .1 --- pilgrims, private incentive, and parallels to DEC
I'm suspicious about private incentive as being the reason for the
pilgrims' ability to succeed in a time of great difficulty. Now I wasn't
there at the time, but I'd bet that it was "cooperation" among the early
pilgrims rather than private incentive that allowed them to survive and
eventally prosper. Sure, something has to be done to ensure that all
capable people contribute to the group and that there be no "free riders",
but I sincerely believe cooperation and teamwork, not necessarily private
incentive, was the primary reason for the pilgrim's ability to overcome
adversity and succeed.
Now, if you want to draw a parallel to current times in Digital with
that in mind, I believe you might be getting closer to the truth...
Tom
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