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Microsoft Exec Opens Up About Research Lab Closure, Layoffs
alphadogg writes It's been a bit over a month since Microsoft shuttered its Microsoft Research lab in Silicon Valley as part of the company's broader restructuring that will include 18,000 layoffs. This week, Harry Shum, Microsoft EVP of Technology & Research, posted what he termed an "open letter to the academic research community" on the company's research blog. In the post, Shum is suitably contrite about the painful job cut decisions that were made in closing the lab, which opened in 2001. He also stresses that Microsoft will continue to invest in and value "fundamental research".
Short-term it might make more profit, but long term it's like selling one's investments for cash.
This is a terrible mistake for Microsoft.
Yes, but not for the people running it.
By the time the brain drain has it's long term effects, the executives will have jumped away, in come cases into retirement, with their golden parachutes. It's only the long-term investors and loyal employees who will have to deal with how it ruins the company.
I would like to thank the broad computing research community which has taken the time to share its thoughts and concerns about the recent closure of our research lab in Silicon Valley.
Translation: thanks, you guys are typical academic opinionated armchair quarterbacks...
I share with all of you a strong belief in the value of fundamental research and its importance for the long-term viability of our company, our industry and our society, and want to reassure you of Microsoft’s commitment to fundamental research.
Translation: The reason MS R&D was created was to do cheap R&D by passing on the hard work to Academia. And you guys bought it--an academic researcher being able to deliver directly to production....that's like being the next stanford's facebook or google.
Unfortunately, no organization – governmental, industrial or academic – is immune to change and the technology business in particular is defined by rapid evolution.
Translation: MS R&D partnering with academia promised so much in really unrealistic ideas, when it's all about execution. Hence we ran out of good will from our customers--you guys over promised. Look at Google X, they're heading in the same direction.
Technology businesses need to constantly adapt in order to survive.
Translation: Fundamental (aka academic) R&D gave us pipe dreams, stuff that only worked in controlled environments, un-manufacture-able. Businesses must adapt by churning out great products, not cool demos/ideas.
In July, our new CEO, Satya Nadella, discussed how Microsoft would transform to be the productivity and platform company for a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and evolve its culture to be more nimble. This transformation included reducing our workforce by 18,000 jobs. Each organization within Microsoft, including Microsoft Research, is accountable for driving changes in culture and organization, and each has to participate in the job reductions.
Translation: Fundamental/academic R&D sucked in the end. Obviously the community doesn't agree. Thanks guys.