Thread regarding Juniper Networks Inc. layoffs

@Pro7f29-6mau

I agree with you on the manager part. I really did not think management style could go this bad this far at Juniper. When I joined, management team was actually good. First line managers were interested in knowing a good level of technical details that their team members were working on. With that mindset, most engineers felt they were respected, which in turn led to good product quality.

But things went south quickly. Then after two CEO swaps and a number of middle management changes over the years, things are still hopelessly getting worse. I really want to believe that it is just some bad managers causing all these, and somehow if they can be let go, Juniper's problem will be solved. But things are really systematically wrong here. There have been quite a few org changes lately, and the result speaks for itself. Given the past record, it is very hard to believe they are capable of making a good decision this time. And yes, I also agree with you that there is really very little room for Juniper to make another big mistake and spend resources in a wrong direction for next a few years. But if I have to guess, I will bet my money on them not able to change the course this time.

Have you ever heard of a corrupt leader (politician, businessman), ask for reform? No. If at all, it would be pretty rare. That is because if they are skimming from the top, or benefiting in some way, it is easy to throw their hands up in the air and say "there is no solution" to any problem, and continue on. Obviously, human nature leads you to believe there is no reason for a change, and you should make it last, as long as you can, as long as it is good for you. In essence, most are programmed to "Milk that cow, till the udder runs dry".

On the flip side, those that have the short end of the stick would like to find solutions and work for things to be better. They cry out for help. Look for some way to make those changes happen. After being frustrated when their cries are unanswered, they become less productive over time and sometimes eventually leave.

Good leaders are able to sniff out these situations and make changes. The best leaders are even proactive. I have thought about this at length. Are leaders who cannot find solutions, part of the problem? They usually, they are. They are incompetent, incapable or immature enough not to get the help they need. The best managers I have worked for are open to ideas, find new solutions and continuously make improvements, open to working with diverse groups of people and most importantly humble. The worst managers I have worked for, all work at Juniper.

@Pro7f29-6nuz

"Assume" meant I don't believe "unscrupulous megalomaniacs" is the major cause of Juniper's current problem, but for the sake of discussion I took your reasoning as a base to show why I think it is "beyond repair". You are not too hard to get but I guess a "Get it?" followed by an absolutely morally correct statement is one way to make arguement. However a 'fix' or 'repair' that will help Juniper reach your goal needs to be practical. And it has to be in effect before everyone gives up fighting (like Nortel or Yahoo in their last stages).

I really want to believe that senior/middle management is the major problem and if we let "the bad ones" go, things will become better. But even for this overly simplified problem, how can you be sure that Rami and Vince will magically do the right thing this time? As you say "There is no room for more disasters", if the 'fix' is not in place in time, then Juniper is "beyond repair".

It’s clear where you belong, or who you are working for. Why assume? We all KNOW the ones who are the problem.

Let me be clear, the goal here is to PRESERVE JOBS. REDUCE LAYOFFS. Not at the expense of the masses, but at the expense of bad leaders, who cause layoffs. If you kick out the idiots that make bad decisions at the top (often repeatedly), the worthy, smart people who do work hard and smart, and the company as well as the investors, can prosper. Not the other way around. Get it?

We can come up with our own list, but what good does that do? As you say, the very crooks that are in charge, make up “the list” that matters, or are responsible for most of it. IMHO, there are ultimately only two, yes, just two, who make the call at Juniper and that is Rami and Vince. The rest of the SVPs and CxOs and the hoards of VPs, Senior Directors etc. reporting to them (in this top heavy company) are just figure heads. For the most part, dead weight.

Speaking of a list, it would be great to track a list of names and legitimate reasons why we think they should (or should not) be on the list for layoffs. When layoffs do happen, they can be checked off. A public list, maintained by the people, for the people.

Maybe someone will take note of this at the the layoff, and add that feature.

@Pro7f29-6cnn

Sure, let's assume those "unscrupulous megalomaniacs" is the problem. Do you have a list of names? Will a 10% layoff be enough to drive them out? How will you convince HR or C suite to let them go? Especially when they are the ones making the togo list? If there is no actionable plan and the only thing we can do is watch the company fail again, that is pretty much "beyond repair" means in this context.

Any company or organisation can be fixed with the right changes. Nothing is beyond repair. Unfortunately, the unscrupulous megalomaniacs will pull all the stops to stay on, and do more damage. There is no room for more disasters.

Connections even with Rami must be ignored this time. Friendships and business must be kept separate. Question is, will Rami cave in, or do the right thing?

Nope, Juniper is already beyond repair. Keep hoping if that is healthy for you, but don't get your hope too high.