Conference 7.286::digital

    
    "Whatever it takes..." is meaningless. It cannot be fixed by
    changing the punctuation.
    
    It is a means to an end, without the end; a statement of tactics, minus
    a strategy.
    
    I would *like* it to mean, "Best distributed computing solutions in the
    world -- whatever it takes!"
    
    I would settle (at least in the short term) for the more nebulous "Total
    customer satisfaction -- Whatever it takes!"
    
    I *fear* it means, "Black ink next quarter -- Whatever it takes."
    
    SES/IDC has evidently interpreted it as "Head count reduction via
    'employee leasing' -- whatever it takes!!"
    

    It's an ad campaign.  It'll be replaced with something else down the
    road.
    
    Steve

    
    	"whatever it takes..." means profitability first, revenue
    achievement second, SG&A numbers reached third.
    
    	What? You expected something else? Get real...
    
    	But have a very happy Holiday season anyway!
    
    		the Greyhawk

    I suspect many employees at Ford Motor Co. we equally cynical
    when they announced "QUALITY IS JOB 1".  At the time, Ford
    had terrible quality.
    
    Whether its "Just Do It", or "Fly the Friendly Skies", these
    catch phrases are not meant to signify all of what a company
    is, but they can be successful in helping consumers remember
    who a company is, and what they are trying to deliver.

    I never cease to be amazed at the amount of negative reaction generated
    whenever something is attempted to get this company back to it's former
    status.  I for one found the "Whatever it takes..." phrase rather
    satisfying.
    
    I have had to take a long hard look at myself and this company and make
    a decision about whether this was a good combination.  I came to the
    conclusion that, even though things are not perfect, or even close to
    it, we have a chance, through hard work to be successful.  I take the
    "Whatever it takes..." to mean that I will do whatever it takes to be
    successful in my job.  I will not let someone stand in my way as I try
    to do my job.  If someone, or some policy is in the way, then I am more
    than happy to go through them, around them, over them or under them to
    get what I need.
    
    My total concentration is on doing my job better than I have ever done
    it in the past, and better than anyone else, inside or outside of this
    company does their's.  I beleive that through this approach I will be
    able to look at myself in themirror and say, I di "whatever it took..."
    to make Digital respected and a leader again.
    
    To the rest, if you can't get on board and do your best, then get off
    and make room for someone who will.
    

    RE: .6
    
    I like it! That's what I think too. It is too bad that so many think
    "it's just an ad campaign" or some other insignificant sideline to the
    overriding campaign to make Digital well again. If we can't somehow
    instill the "whatever it takes" attitude throughout the organization,
    we'll never overcome the incredible middle-management intransigence
    that is hold this company down. The "but not in my backyard" mentality
    is truely amazing sometimes. Wake up folks. You ain't gonna' have a
    backyard to be so protective about, unless you do "whatever it takes".
    
    -OFWAMI-
    
    

    
    ....re.6 and 7.....here here...three cheers for putting it into 
    
    perspective.....say it like it is.....either crap or get  off the pot.
    
    
    hornet
    

    I was crapping as hard as I could....the company shoved me off the
    pot....

I think the charge and countercharge of Pollyanna-ism and Naysaying is
as destructive as anything.  A bludgeon certainly persuades people but
perhaps is not best way to do so.

Please recognize that while the company is giving some of its employees
reason for hope and incentive to redouble their efforts, it may also be
giving others reason for serious concern and disincentives to do their
jobs (crudely put in .8).  Telling someone to "be positive" is about as
useful as telling someone to like broccoli.  You may love broccoli, but
it does no good to someone who doesn't like broccoli to eat broccoli.
And its not like it is the only thing on the menu.  This company has a
multiplicity of issues, success stories in the making, and problems to
be addressed.  "Broccoli" doesn't address all problems.

I've seen too many "cynics" thumped, dismissing their concerns as 
psychologically analyzed "denial" or worse (much worse).  The communication 
is about as close as you can get to "Shut up!  We don't care what you think.
We're in charge and we know what's best.  If you don't like it, get out and
make room for another, but just shut up."  I've also seen "Pollyannas"
disillusioned and surprised when they get thumped.

Instead of demanding that people crap or get off the pot, and instead of
pot-shotting with a loose cannon, some of us can rise above these baser 
levels and work on repairing cooperation and resolution of legitimate issues.

Mark

    
    	Now my $.02 (after inflation).
    
    	As many of you know, Tom Peters is one of my favorite reads. And
    I'm a big fan of Mark McCormick and the late Sam Walton. both of whom
    shared a very similar notion concerning "negativism". McCormick says
    good news should be mailed, bad news better be faxed. Walton noted
    that the *only* way he grew Wal-Mart to preeminence in retailing was
    by "fixing" customer complaints so they didn't happen again.
    
    	Negativism at Digital is not a problem. It's the failure to apply
    common sense solutions to basic problems that created the negativism
    in the first place.
    
    	Peters says Do It Right The First Time.
    
    		The Greyhawk says Amen.

>    Negativism at Digital is not a problem. It's the failure to apply
>    common sense solutions to basic problems that created the negativism
>    in the first place.
    
    You're only half right, Greyhawk.  The rest of the negativism comes
    from applying the wrong solutions, making the situation worse than it
    was.
    
    								Tex