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Layoffs at OSDL

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the everyone-used-to-want-to-work-there dept.

daria42 writes "Open Source Development Labs - which employs Linus Torvalds - has apparently cut nine of its fifty-seven staff (although Linus has retained his job). The cuts come as the organisation re-structures. It will establish a European office and expand into Asia. "We're a small enough organisation that what would be a small change in focus for a bigger company has a large effect on us," said a spokesperson."

6 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Restructuring Methods by mfh · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Let's hope this isn't a three-round layoff. Generally speaking, whenever a company plays the layoff card, they do it three times:
    1. No brainers: the people who most deserve to go, and who everyone agrees
    2. The group of tough choice cuts, generally 60% of the first round, and not often based on performance but more so on overshadowing
    3. The painful cuts who don't deserve to go but they have to cut 40% of the last round numbers, so these will have to do
    But of course since this is to enable the company to move into Europe, and not due to financial problems -- then perhaps this will be the only round as they will be rehiring these positions in a new office. I like the idea that they will be hiring new locals.
    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  2. 'Center of Gravity' by thouth · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The organisation, which calls itself the "centre of gravity" of the Linux movement" How can they possibly be serious? Judging from the average weight of people at a LUG...

  3. Re:Balance? by ChaoticCoyote · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, "organisation" and "centre" are valid spellings of those words.

    --
    All about me
  4. It already is by WindBourne · · Score: 5, Insightful

    OSS is whatever you contribute. There no real dollars chasing OSS based on where you live. It is based on how much you contribute. If you contribute a lot, you will find that HP, IBM, even OSDL would hire you.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
  5. Re:I don't know what by BreadMan · · Score: 5, Informative

    They apparently collect monies from different membership levels. For a smallish sized organization that wants to participate in the decision-making, you're out 12K. Once you get beyond a bronze membership, it looks like OSDL wants some cut of your revenue stream. Membership gets you a voting slot on some working groups.

    That's a lot for what's really a club membership, without the golfing and semi-nice place to eat. For most like vendors, OSDL membership doesn't drive sales and on the technical side, you can be a free-rider. IMHO, this doesn't look like a winning business model.

  6. I can see you've never run a small company by MarkusQ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you need to downsize, you get rid of non-critical personnel first. Receptionist are definitely in that category, especially since they are most easily replaced out of any staff members.
    I can see you've never run a small company. If you had, you'd realize that a good (or bad) receptionist can make (or break) your business. Think about it--here is one person who typically talks to every employee several times a day, and most of your customers every week or two. The person who watchs who and what enter and leave, gets to see the unguarded moments, the body language, hear the idle gossip--in short, the best clue catcher you'll ever have.

    I'm always amazed at the money people will pay consultants for clues they could have gotten in far less time just by asking the recptionist. Often, the receptionist is the only person in the whole outfit that sees the big picture.

    --MarkusQ