[Am-info] Fwd: [IP] Microsoft's Ballmer calls for $1bn cuts - silicon.com

[John J. Urbaniak]

Yeah, cost reduction. Gotta make those numbers for Wall Street. Soda pop 
and towels ain't gonna save a billion bucks. Nohow, no way.

Of course, the next step is fudging the books. Can you say "Enron?"

I also heard that Ballmer announced that the $50 billion cash that MS is 
hoarding will be considered as the "stockholder's money."

Well, duh, of course it's the stockholder's money. I think there are 
about 10-12 BILLION shares outstanding. Gates holds about 15 - 18 percent.

So 50 billion divided by 10 billion gives $5 which is the *true* book 
value of 1 share of Microsoft stock, give or take a few cents for other 
possible tangible assets. Anything else in the price of the stock is 
based on nothing but hype, PR and intangibles. The value of such is 
beginning to evaporate for the Redmond gang of charlatans. I refer to 
Fred's recent post here

EXPERTS DEBATE SECURITY THROUGH DIVERSITY

Boston -- The sheer number of worms and viruses directed at Microsoft
Corp.'s Windows operating system and Internet Explorer browser have many
in the computer industry wondering whether we would all be more secure
if more users relied on alternatives to Microsoft's products.

For the full story:
http://newsletter.infoworld.com/t?ctl=76592C:1F5C3D3




John


Gene Gaines wrote:

>This is a forwarded message
>From:  David Farber <dave@farber.net>
>To:    Ip <ip@v2.listbox.com>
>Date:  Thursday, July 8, 2004, 6:49:52 AM
>Subject: [IP] Microsoft's Ballmer calls for $1bn cuts - printer friendly - silicon.com
>=================Original message text===============
>
>http://management.silicon.com/careers/0,39024671,39121997,00.htm
>Microsoft's Ballmer calls for $1bn cuts
>Jo Best
>silicon.com
>July 07, 2004
>
>Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has told employees in an email that he  
>wants the company to save $1bn in the coming year ? and if that means  
>getting rid of company drinks machines, that's a step he's prepared to  
>take.
>
>
>The memo suggested that the world's biggest software company could save  
>itself hundreds of millions if it revamped its advertising and  
>marketing behaviour. Other cuts have already been decided on, like  
>reducing the discount Microsoft employees get knocked off their  
>prescription drugs.
>
>
>The bid to reduce costs has also meant that new employees to Microsoft  
>will get less annual leave and less time in which they can take their  
>parental leave. Other, smaller bonuses were removed - the towels  
>disappeared out of the Microsoft locker rooms, for example.
>
>
>However, in the initial round of cost-cutting, there were promises the  
>company wouldn't take the axe to its free drinks policy. In these tough  
>times, nothing is sacred, it appears.
>
>
>Ballmer told the Seattle Times: "We're looking to take cost out of the  
>delivery of soda pop. That may mean going from coolers to soda  
>dispensers."
>
>
>
>
>Copyright © 2003 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
>silicon.com is a registered service mark of CNET Networks, Inc.
>silicon.com Logo is a service mark of CNET NETWORKS, Inc.
><http://management.silicon.com/careers/print.htm? 
>TYPE=story&AT=39121997-39024729t-40000030c>
>
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