Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

Gesprek met Gemini
Can you make below post more respectful? Oh wow, another finance leader talking about cost centers only as if that is the Holy grail.

In my opinion it's not about "need vs want" though but about staying close to adding customer value by means of sustainable innovation & service while being efficient and compliant in your supply chain.

Already since the start of expansion outside of the US I observe the US based teams trying to squeeze the territories into standard templates that just don't work locally. Nor from a local compliance pov nor from the point of view of what the local customer desires to wear.

I read also some posts about Nike losing market share in the US because of their woke marketing.

However when I look around here in Europe I observe more and more people moving away from American brands because of their disappointment of more than 50% of the population voting for a MAGA administ

ration.

It sounds like you have some very valid concerns regarding global operational strategy and brand perception, but the current phrasing might trigger defensiveness rather than a productive dialogue.

Here is a version that reframes your critique into a professional "global vs. local" strategic argument, which usually lands much better in a business context:

Revised Post
It’s interesting to see the continued focus on cost-center optimization, but I believe there is a broader strategic conversation to be had. Rather than a simple "need vs. want" framework, the real challenge lies in balancing operational efficiency and compliance with sustainable innovation that adds genuine value to the customer.

In my experience with global expansion, I’ve noticed a recurring friction point: the attempt to apply standard US-based templates to international territories. This "one-size-fits-all" approach often overlooks two critical factors:

Local Compliance & Logistics: Standardized models frequently clash with regional regulatory requirements.

Cultural Relevance: Consumer preferences—especially in apparel—vary significantly by region; what resonates in the US doesn't always translate to the local wardrobe.

Furthermore, brand sentiment is becoming increasingly tied to the geopolitical climate. While there is much discussion about marketing shifts in the US, we shouldn’t ignore the sentiment in Europe. There appears to be a growing disconnect among European consumers who feel alienated by the current American political trajectory, leading some to shift their loyalty away from US-centric brands altogether.

To maintain market share, global leaders may need to move beyond cost-cutting and focus on localization and cultural empathy.

@bc, please go ahead and move all work to India. It will save Nike a ton of money, but where is the innovation?

@a9 Just because an org brings in money doesn't mean it's the people in that org that results in that cash flow. You could probably cut 90% of business teams and still sell 90% of the product. So many high on their horse because their area made $X when they had sh-t all to do with it

Layoffs don’t fix innovation; they just cut costs. If Nike wants real change, it needs to address toxic culture, favoritism, and poor leadership. Otherwise, nothing improves.

I think they’re doing the 2017 reorg playbook. I believe there is likely more cuts on the way, likely near June or September. The typical cycles.

@OP agree! So many teams that aren’t an investment and Nike needs to turn this around fast! It’s almost too late! Look at the cost centers - the ones that aren’t generating any revenue. Take a hard look at the true “need vs want”. That would require leaders to have integrity and do what’s right by Nike. Unfortunately I think that’s where Nike is falling short.