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Yahoo Called Its Layoffs a "Remix." Don't Do That.

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-to-do-and-what-not-to-do dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes: Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, in a conference call with reporters and analysts, referred to the net layoffs of 1,100 employees in the first quarter of 2015 as part of a 'remixing' of the company. A 'remix' is a term most often applied to songs, although it's also appropriate to use in the context of photographs, films, and artwork. CEOs rarely use it to describe something as momentous as a major enterprise's transition, especially if said transition involves layoffs of longtime employees, because it could potentially appear flippant to observers. If you run your own shop (no matter how large), it always pays to choose words as carefully as possible when referring to anything that affects your employees' lives and careers. Despite a renewed focus on mobile and an influx of skilled developers and engineers, Yahoo still struggles to define its place on the modern tech scene; that struggle is no more evident than in the company's most recent quarterly results, which included rising costs, reduced net income, and layoffs.

5 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. It's Just a Euphemism... by Shoten · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's just a euphemism. I remember working for a company that started embracing offshoring, which they called "right-shoring." Layoffs were called "right-sizing." And the executives were called "cunts." Amazing how just a little "word-smithing" can make things sound better than they really are, huh?

    --

    For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
    1. Re:It's Just a Euphemism... by mjwx · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's just a euphemism. I remember working for a company that started embracing offshoring, which they called "right-shoring." Layoffs were called "right-sizing." And the executives were called "cunts." Amazing how just a little "word-smithing" can make things sound better than they really are, huh?

      Yes, but here "remix" may actually be the right word for it.

      When you "remix" a song, you take a song that was good on its own merits, fuck with the tempo, add some annoying bleeps, warbles, gaps and/or voiceovers which completely ruins a song.

      So when you "remix" a company, you get rid of all the engineers and functional people whilst keeping the designers and giving the upper management a nice fat bonus which completely ruins a company

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  2. more names by slashmydots · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have some suggestions for additional terminology. An unprofitable quarter (so in other words, all of them) could just be called "dippin'" Then accidentally serving up crytowall malware through their ad network could be "trippin'" and buying out a company that they think is hot and turns out to be a complete nosedive could be called...um...not really sure on that one but Marissa Mayer is a freaking idiot. Maybe they could call it that. Call it a "Marissa Mayer" when someone royally screws up and loses a ton of money.

  3. Re:Women CEO's. by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

    A company's one thing. Just be thankful there's no chance of one running the country.

    Hang on a minute...

    No, hang on another minute...

    Shit, gimme a beer.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  4. Mayer's Plan for Yahoo by murr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Rip. Mix. Burn.