Thread regarding SAS Institute layoffs

Company kickoff - bigger layoffs ahead?

Revenue flat. Seeking “outside help” to cut costs. What does that sound like to you?

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| 24092 views | | 117 replies (last February 13, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jj760v28

117 replies (most recent on top)

"VRBPs will cost more than layoffs"

How so?

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Post ID: @gb+1jj760v28

“ That's your experience but I have had several years with no raise and no bonus in the same year and also many years with bonus but no raise in the same year.”

Think about that for a minute.

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Post ID: @g7+1jj760v28

“ Company man coming with “just quit” in 3…2…1… 😂”

Dude is living rent free in your head.

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Post ID: @g6+1jj760v28

A hire consultant will most likely recommend layoffs to cut the most costs. VRBPs will cost more than layoffs so layoffs will be better for the owners but VRBPs will be better for the employees, especially for those wanting to leave but still waiting.

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Post ID: @fy+1jj760v28

"probably never been the case of no raise and no bonus."

That's your experience but I have had several years with no raise and no bonus in the same year and also many years with bonus but no raise in the same year.

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Post ID: @fx+1jj760v28

"...The SAS CEO does not spend money to no purpose. If he’s hiring “outside help”, that means he expects recommendations that he can use...."

Disagree. Lots of Kabuki in the Potemkin villages of SAS. Optics would be the only purpose.

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Post ID: @fg+1jj760v28

who is the outside help? Elon Musk?

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Post ID: @fe+1jj760v28

"no raise"

I think I recall having no raise or bonus (or profit sharing) in the 2008 financial crisis. Or maybe it was very limited, can no longer remember. Whatever it was, we all felt lucky to stay employed, and at a great place to work on top of it. If I were still there, I'd feel lucky to take a good VRBP about now as part of that cost cutting. Good luck to all.

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Post ID: @fd+1jj760v28

Agreed. The SAS CEO does not spend money to no purpose. If he’s hiring “outside help”, that means he expects recommendations that he can use.

A consultant will need time to study the company and make those recommendations. So people have time to make plans, and the CEO has given fair warning.

Good luck to all.

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Post ID: @fb+1jj760v28

“Revenue flat. Seeking “outside help” to cut costs. What does that sound like to you?”

Unfortunately, it sounds like the movie “Office Space.” Cue the Bobs.

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Post ID: @f4+1jj760v28

As many have said, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. This retiree sends best wishes to my friends still at SAS during these “interesting times.” I hope you come through this better and stronger.

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Post ID: @f3+1jj760v28

They will need to either do a VRBP or layoffs to get the reluctant to leave. 0 bonus and 0 raise won't do it.

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Post ID: @ey+1jj760v28

“A great start is to offer a VRBP to employees who are ready to leave and just waiting on an incentive”

Company man coming with “just quit” in 3…2…1… 😂

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Post ID: @ex+1jj760v28

“A great start is to offer a VRBP to employees who are ready to leave and just waiting on an incentive”

Well said. That’s what I’m waiting for.

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Post ID: @ew+1jj760v28

@ej+1jj760v28

Just because a paid consultant recommends cuts, it does not mean that those cuts will be implemented by company leadership. I hope that leadership follows the recommendations to make a leaner, more profitable SAS. A great start is to offer a VRBP to employees who are ready to leave and just waiting on an incentive.

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Post ID: @ev+1jj760v28

No worries. JMP and the Art Department will remain safe in their cozy cocoon of privilege.

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Post ID: @ep+1jj760v28

“Seeking outside help to cut costs -- that means they'll hire outside consultants to analyze operations.”


Yes. Outside consultants have expertise in making changes, are more objective, and thereby minimize the morale hit of cutting costs.

A kickoff is normally a time to boost morale, not to deliver such a message. IMO the Big Guy is doing a decent thing, giving a warning.

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Post ID: @ej+1jj760v28

"Been there a long time and have have never had a year with no raise and bonus."

No longer there, but I recall at least 3 years with no raise over my 25+ year career there. I I don't recall ever getting no bonus (certainly there were many years with a very small bonus) ... so I concur that probably never been the case of no raise and no bonus.

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Post ID: @ec+1jj760v28

“ It sounds like there will be no raises, no bonuses and more layoffs coming.”

Didn’t sound like that at all. You may be right but that is not what was said.

Been there a long time and have have never had a year with no raise and bonus. So,e years leaner than others but never goose eggs.

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Post ID: @e4+1jj760v28

https://youtube.com/shorts/JvoEQJZzVuo?si=BW65suRkf5feBkRb

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Post ID: @cd+1jj760v28

https://youtu.be/3sYUthjyTb8

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Post ID: @cc+1jj760v28

It sounds like there will be no raises, no bonuses and more layoffs coming.

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Post ID: @ca+1jj760v28

@av+1jj760v28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YExiDiVPbzw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTdOHBIppx8

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Post ID: @bg+1jj760v28

For those of us playing "Update Bingo" at home, did they say "Pipeline is full" or "Push back IPO"? I need one of those for Bingo!

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Post ID: @b6+1jj760v28
The crazy thing is, absolutely no one asked you

Right, but like I said, if you [did] ask me, that’s what I would say.

Reading comprehension much?

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Post ID: @aw+1jj760v28

I wonder what Bob and Bob are up to nowadays?

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Post ID: @av+1jj760v28

@ae+1jj760v28 "If you ask me he seemed a little POed."

The crazy thing is, absolutely no one asked you

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Post ID: @at+1jj760v28

@ae+1jj760v28 He absolutely did not seem pi---d off. Why would you circulate such BS?

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Post ID: @as+1jj760v28

“What specifically have they said about "seeking outside help?"”

I also heard the Big Guy say that. Nothing more specific, but specific enough. If you ask me he seemed a little POed.

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Post ID: @ae+1jj760v28

What specifically have they said about "seeking outside help?"

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Post ID: @ac+1jj760v28

Seeking outside help to cut costs -- that means they'll hire outside consultants to analyze operations. The recommendations will be promptly ignored and forgotten.

Alternatively, they'll outsource more functions, like Sales. The Art Department remains safe.

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Post ID: @ab+1jj760v28

Ah, the annual "we missed sales targets (again) but have a strong pipeline" meeting, where only one side of the balance sheet is discussed.

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Post ID: @aa+1jj760v28

Does this mean an interim CEO to perform the cutting?

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Post ID: @a5+1jj760v28

I’m surprised they don’t refocus all efforts to just concentrate on their 4 core industries. The other industries are just a distraction and dilute the resources. I’d love to see SAS start re-building market share in their key industries by going all in on what they do best!

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Post ID: @a4+1jj760v28

What about profit?

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Post ID: @a3+1jj760v28

Sounds like the 1999 movie "Office Space"

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Post ID: @a2+1jj760v28

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