DS has managed to destroy in under 3 months a PM org that may not have been perfect, but was an org that took several years to get to this point and was still in a rebuilding process. DS's plan is to get rid of all the PMs who are smarter than him because he can't accept the fact that they are smarter than him. I know many folks on here think that TDC PM su-ks, but a lot of that is because DS has made you believe that PM su-ks and is the reason products have issues and don't work the way they should. DS is doing this cr-p all while flying around the world partying on the company's expense while buying $1000 bottles of wine at his company paid dinners when TDC is struggling to pay its bills and its employees. This type of stupidity continues to happen because DS happens to be a friend of the CEO. It's no wonder that TDC is circling the drain when the LT is behaving like this. With leaders like this, we don't even need customers to leave before the company will fall flat on its face. Way to go DS and his cronies. We hope you enjoy how good you are at destroying things and seem to think that you are actually improving things in the alternate universe you live in. For everyone who reads this, please be aware that the best heads of engineering and PM at large tech companies are created when sales directors from Slalom are promoted to roles they have no business to hold in the first place. If you think I'm wrong, look at how great TDC is doing right now and you will thank me.
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HA is a terrible PM leader. She's able to make fancy decks and looks good presenting them but she has zero leadership skills. She is the reason Teraturd isn't competitive against its competitors.
Rumour has it that his real parents gave him up for adoption when he was young because they didn't want a loser of a child and in hindsight it looks like they made the right decision. Born a loser, he will always be a loser.
We relied heavily on product management leadership and few PMs to talk to customers, roadmap and help in unblocking issues. They are very open about their frustrations with DS. Everyday changing priorities, no guidance, and his chief of staff snooping around in every meeting has scared the remaining PMs. The good ones have recently departed due to DS’ chaotic leadership style. There is a strong rumor that he is letting go of all PMs who are very product centric. Strange times indeed!
All in all, this is a deeply toxic corporate culture, driven from the top down, and it's on a path doomed to fail.
I fully agree with these observations. Dan Spurling has consistently disrupted organizations wherever he goes. It’s troubling to see how he categorizes people as "good" or "bad," targeting anyone he perceives as more competent. His actions within the engineering organization, aimed at eradicating Teradata expertise, have left the team vulnerable. Now, he's repeating this pattern within the PM organization. This behavior is the antithesis of true leadership.
Meanwhile, Hillary Ashton and Tim MacIntire seem to be passive observers, contributing little to Teradata’s success. Their focus appears to be on self-preservation, avoiding conflict with Steve McMillan and Dan Spurling, rather than driving the company forward. It’s hard to envision how these individuals can lead Teradata into the future and build successful products when their primary focus is on internal division, blacklisting dissenting voices, and removing leaders and expertise that could actually help the company thrive.
If we are talking about destruction, it was in R&D where DS truly shined. The CEO gave his friend the car keys (DS has a thing for sports cars) and proceeded to wrap it around a tree.
There have been several individuals who did profound damage to R&D. I was foolish to think it not possible anyone could top the damage brought on during OR’s tenure (intellect vastly exceeded by ego). Then SM brought on his buddy to report to HA. Talk about the blind leading the blind.
While HA focused on self preservation, DS was busy seeking out those willing to worship him. Soon DS had compiled two lists (bad people / good people). Needless to say the vast majority of the bad people (all with deep TD experience) are no longer on payroll and much to the chagrin of those still on payroll DS’s good people got unjustified promotions. If anyone thinks HA is now unencumbered and will address the crater that is R&D think again. She is still singularly focused on self preservation.
I am sorry to hear about the damage to PM done by DS but I can assure you that the damage done to R&D was far worse. Granted I am comparing one corpse to another. A software company with a decimated PM and R&D is a company with no future.
Ouch.
I wanna stay on your good side. lol
LOLOL🤣