Conference 7.286::digital

    Actually I see it as a longer-term cycle of binge and purge.  Digital's
    recent history is more like that of a Bulimic Company.
    
    Marv
    

A better term I have heard for this condition is "wee-ness envy".

				Steve

Some believe that management at many companies don't understand downsizing
enough to know when to do it and who to lay off.  Downsizing is the "in thing"
now and many companies are doing it because everyone else is.

I have also seen a theory proposed that states that while initial downsizing
may be beneficial, at some point its value ceases and becomes harmful to the
company.  After this point, it becomes impossible to save the company from
eventual failure due to decreased morale, insufficient people to produce
revenue, and so on.

Unfortunately, no one knows where this point is.

Many in this conference have expressed their opinions, but whether Digital has
gone past the "point of no return" is up for debate.  But please, let's not
have Al Gore and Ross Perot debate it.  ;�)

Paul

    MY OPINION
    ==========
    
    	Cost Competitiveness alone will NOT yield the expected results
    and will NOT give any company Global Advantages.
    
    	I have said this time an again, today's consumers are well read
    and educated.   They will read the Consumer's Reports and other
    magazines before they buy non-perishable items.   Therefore, things
    such as:
    		1) Reliability
    		2) Maintenance & Service
    		3) Repairs (how often)
    		4) Timeliness
    		5) Cost (not the tag price but longer term).
    		6) Upgrades/Options
    
    	I've been doing analysis on several 'non-perishable' consumer
    items.   One example:
    
    		If you read the yearly Consumer's Report booklet in the
    automobile section this is what you will find.
    
    	1) US Made Automobiles
    
    		a) cost: 99%++ are rated from average to much better than
                         average.
    
    		b) reliability: Over 90%++ are rated from Much Worst than
                                average to worst than average
    
    	2) Japanese Automobiles
    
    		a) cost: 90%+ are rated from Much Worst than average to
    			 average.
    
    		b) reliability: 99%++ are rated from Much Better than
    				average to better than average. 
    
    	The conclusion that I can draw for this is that the automobile 
    consumers are interested in reliability first then cost.

re .4

>    	The conclusion that I can draw for this is that the automobile 
>    consumers are interested in reliability first then cost.

Huh? If so, how come US cars outsell Japanese cars by almost 3 to 1?
(That's in the US!)

    
    Re: .4-
    
    	The disparity with C/R is how many "recommended" new cars become
    "used cars to avoid". The early 80's Rabbit had this happen.
    
    	I will agree that consumers are critical when evaluating a product
    considered for purchase. The problem is that brand and traditional 
    accompanying reputation no longer mean much, and the data is still out
    on "the new division that produces X product via subcontractor with the
    original logo". 
    
    	Marketinga product well takes time. Past pain effects progess . The
    many mergers/ unstable companies in this economy make buying decisions
    difficult at best. Digital is feeling all of the above.
    
    Phil

    >>> Huh?  If so, how come US cars outsell Japanese cars by almost 3 to
    1 ?  (That's in the US!).
    
    
    Absolutely right....that is in the US, we are not even close outside.
    Why, we ONLY focus on cost.
    
    Focus on cost is extremly easy.....just kick-out employees, cut travel,
    cust benefits (medical, life insurance, etc.), cut equipment and
    plant space.    A single pen is the only thing needed, anybody can
    do it, no science, no leadership, no nothing.
    
    On the other hand to have Cost, Reliability, Quality, Delivery,
    Services, etc. requires leadership, creativity that we are currently
    lacking.
    
    Why argue against success, we can not !!!!!