Thread regarding Cengage layoffs

Important Business Update to Share

Greetings,

I know many are feeling anxious after today's exciting news.

I want to reiterate that Cengage will still pay its Class A investors a 16% dividend this quarter. In addition, I am not being deported.

We must continue to lead through disruption!

Full Stop!

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| 2013 views | | 14 replies (last October 27, 2023) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1pgmbabt

14 replies (most recent on top)

@2fkb+1pgmbabt Jackie Reses lists the Cengage deal as an accomplishment because it is. At least in the demented, sociopathic world of private equity. Consider:

  • Apax funded almost all of the deal with debt. I would be shocked if they put a dollar of capital into Cengage.
  • While Cengage was drowning in debt, Apax was still paid dividends and consulting fees.
  • When it became clear that Cengage would have to file for bankruptcy, Apax used their insider knowledge to scoop up preferred debt for pennies on the dollar. This allowed them to gain more equity for minimal investment once bankruptcy was settled. Many debtholders justifiably threw a fit over this because it was essentially insider trading, but no one cared in the end about some bankrupt publishing company.

At the end of the day Apax was able double dip and gain a controlling share in Cengage twice while putting up basically no investment of their own. And all the while they have been paying themselves fat dividends and bonuses regardless of the poor performance of the company. I'm sure Reses has personally pocketed tens of millions while productive, middle class employees with families to support were thrown out on the street.

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Post ID: @2iuu+1pgmbabt

@1wal+1pgmbabt The best advice I can give is to look outside of publishing and emphasize your project management experience and any technical skills you have. Try to be as flexible as possible. Most employers aren't going to have any idea who or what Cengage is. If you try to stay in publishing you'll likely end up as a jobber making half your pay at Cengage for twice the amount of work.

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Post ID: @2pac+1pgmbabt

What type of severance package is Cengage offering?

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Post ID: @2lqe+1pgmbabt

I saw a couple of weeks ago that Jackie Reses, one of the architects of the disastrous Thomson/Cengage acquisition, is speaking at a very influential conference. Instead of hiding in shame, people of her ilk take victory laps. Look up her LinkedIn profile. She proudly lists it as one of her accomplishments! Wow. Just wow.

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Post ID: @2fkb+1pgmbabt

I read this board once in a while and it's clear IPS is either a higher-up at Cengage or has intense business skills. One thing can be sure it's that MGH and Pearson got a deluge of resumes today.

I've only worked in publishing and am out of a job after over fifteen years. Does anyone know what types of companies are looking for people with editorial experience? I can do project management.

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Post ID: @1wal+1pgmbabt

IPS shows the empty social justice warrior pose of Dear Leader and the other limousine liberal senior leaders at Cengage. While they say the Correct Things and act so deeply concerned about employee mental health, human rights and the current thing, they have absolutely no problem throwing middle class people out of work so MH and the private equity boys can afford another house in the Hamptons.

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Post ID: @1kep+1pgmbabt

Got to hand it to IPS. They are perfect at parroting Dear Leader

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Post ID: @1tmy+1pgmbabt

Well, I do not go to the office much anymore but, I am showing up for this tomorrow!!! Me and a couple coworkers are treating it like a tail gate event in Kentucky.

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Post ID: @1ong+1pgmbabt

It’s how the rich get richer.

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Post ID: @1irp+1pgmbabt

In addition to what everyone else said, IPS has shown that Cengage leadership and investors are still bleeding the company dry while it teeters on the edge of insolvency. Most companies in financial trouble (well, most companies not owned by PE) cut jobs in order to shore up the balance sheet. Cengage cuts jobs so the bonuses keep flowing into Consultant Class Kermit's pockets.

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Post ID: @1zbs+1pgmbabt

Come on. No one should be surprised. This steaming pile of dog sh-t has been stinking for 2 decades. If you are still at Cengage it’s your own fault. You’ve been given dozens of warnings

The unemployment rate is 3.8 percent.

IPS has been the canary in the coal mine. For years.

This business has been in the toilet since Harrington and the boys fleeced the choades at APAX to buy Thomson Learning. They are still laughing.

MH is an absolute putz. A total mo--n. But Steve Jobs himself couldn’t have rescued the Center of Engagement.

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Post ID: @1jvs+1pgmbabt

IPS' post is cruel but it's right in line with what Management is saying. Accept it as satire. I don't believe IPS is trying to be mean, just showing the clueless insensitivity of the C Suite.

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Post ID: @hdw+1pgmbabt

In defense of IPS, Job loss before the holidays is The Cengage Way™.

Get on the train!

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Post ID: @eth+1pgmbabt

People are losing their jobs right before the holidays and you are treating it as a joke. Very Classy.

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Post ID: @fjb+1pgmbabt

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