Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addresses layoffs and the future of the company in public letter to employees

In the wake of the chaotic, catastrophic layoffs at Microsoft earlier this month, which resulted in at least 9,000 people losing their jobs, CEO Satya Nadella claims, “Microsoft is thriving.” This comes from an open letter shared on Microsoft’s blog. Nadella discusses the future of the company, diving into several topics: mission, priorities, and culture. Of course, AI comes up multiple times.

CEO Satya Nadella shares a statement about Microsoft’s future

The statement begins with the layoffs. Nadella writes, “These decisions are among the most difficult we have to make. They affect people we’ve worked alongside, learned from, and shared countless moments with—our colleagues, teammates, and friends.” Nadella continues, expressing “sincere gratitude” to those whose jobs were cut, adding: “Their contributions have shaped who we are as a company, helping build the foundation we stand on today.”

These kind words can’t help but ring hollow now. Sure, you can say all these nice things, but what people really listen to is action. The actions Microsoft took earlier this month do not reflect these words. Speaking of, Reddit had some choice words for Nadella, with one user writing: “Microsoft is thriving from a pure financial sense, and they are serving as a ghoulish blueprint for capitalism.”

Ultimately, Nadella’s letter feels more like a statement of carefully crafted kindnesses and corporate buzzwords meant to encourage shareholders to stay confident. This shouldn’t be surprising, and it isn’t, but every statement like this is an opportunity to change the trajectory. To think about people over stock value. To ask the question, what’s more important? The people who shaped the company and built the foundation? Or making more money?

These layoffs affected far more than Microsoft’s gaming division, but as of this month, Perfect Dark has been canceled, and the studio working on it has been shut down. Rare’s Everwild is also canceled, along with a planned MMORPG from ZeniMax Online. If these are the signs of a company that’s “thriving,” then something is wrong.

Perfect Dark

cancelled

Rate It!

• Overview

• Xbox
• Microsoft
• Xbox Game Studios / Microsoft Gaming
• AI / Artificial Intelligence
• Perfect Dark (brand)