Sony Europe Success Means 160 Staff To Go
Culling of people due to ‘transitional’ period…
Sony's European Chief, David Reeves.
Despite its global chief executive, Howard Stringer, praising PS3 sales in Europe this week, Sony’s European head, David Reeves, is going to be issuing his 1,900 European employees with 160 redundancy warnings on Wednesday.
Speaking to The Financial Times, Stringer was bullish about the PlayStation 3’s European launch, “…the first two days in the UK, 100 million pounds revenue changed hands and that's probably the largest consumer electronics sale in history”.
The Welshman also pointed out that his European operation “lived up to the expectations in Europe in a way that perhaps we didn't in Japan”.
Therefore, it must have come as somewhat of a shock to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) staff gathered in meetings yesterday to listen to the following letter from Reeves:
Despite attempts to assure what must now be demoralised staff members that, “these are proposals only at this stage”, the announcement also includes the ominous line, “However, the business targets that we face have regrettably made it unavoidable". This is something of a contradiction, and merely highlights the mixed messages and communication difficulties suffered by the company in recent times.
Close of business on Wednesday will see letters sent to relevant members of staff who are ‘threatened’ by redundancy.
SPOnG has contacted SCEE this morning for further comment and we are awaiting the response.
Whatever the response – which is bound to be framed at the head office in Japan - it is a huge disappointment that on one hand Sony’s global boss can speak about “probably the largest consumer electronics sale in history” in the UK and Europe, and within days the people who largely made this possible – ahead of Japan and the United States – should bear the brunt of a restructure.
We are keen to understand exactly what kind of ‘transition’ will affect the fundamentals of Sony’s computer entertainment division, as right now this appears to be code for “cost cutting”.
Speaking to The Financial Times, Stringer was bullish about the PlayStation 3’s European launch, “…the first two days in the UK, 100 million pounds revenue changed hands and that's probably the largest consumer electronics sale in history”.
The Welshman also pointed out that his European operation “lived up to the expectations in Europe in a way that perhaps we didn't in Japan”.
Therefore, it must have come as somewhat of a shock to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) staff gathered in meetings yesterday to listen to the following letter from Reeves:
"SCEE has successfully faced a number of challenges throughout its history to become a leader of the videogame industry. However our industry is in the middle of a transition where some of the fundamentals of our business are changing.
"In order to further our market leadership we sometimes have to make difficult business decisions. The management of the company has concluded that we need to change our structure, streamline and strengthen our business operations - and that our cost base needs to be significantly reduced.
"In order to achieve the necessary cost reductions it is possible that there will be up to 160 redundancies in total across SCEE offices in the UK, WWS (World Wide Studios) in Europe and in the Territories."
"In order to further our market leadership we sometimes have to make difficult business decisions. The management of the company has concluded that we need to change our structure, streamline and strengthen our business operations - and that our cost base needs to be significantly reduced.
"In order to achieve the necessary cost reductions it is possible that there will be up to 160 redundancies in total across SCEE offices in the UK, WWS (World Wide Studios) in Europe and in the Territories."
Despite attempts to assure what must now be demoralised staff members that, “these are proposals only at this stage”, the announcement also includes the ominous line, “However, the business targets that we face have regrettably made it unavoidable". This is something of a contradiction, and merely highlights the mixed messages and communication difficulties suffered by the company in recent times.
Close of business on Wednesday will see letters sent to relevant members of staff who are ‘threatened’ by redundancy.
SPOnG has contacted SCEE this morning for further comment and we are awaiting the response.
Whatever the response – which is bound to be framed at the head office in Japan - it is a huge disappointment that on one hand Sony’s global boss can speak about “probably the largest consumer electronics sale in history” in the UK and Europe, and within days the people who largely made this possible – ahead of Japan and the United States – should bear the brunt of a restructure.
We are keen to understand exactly what kind of ‘transition’ will affect the fundamentals of Sony’s computer entertainment division, as right now this appears to be code for “cost cutting”.
Companies:
SCEE
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 27.
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 09:18
8/27
Tim Smith wrote:
What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come.
Enter Slim stage right...
Slim 18 Apr 2007 10:58
9/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Tim Smith wrote:
What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come.
Enter Slim stage right...
Anti Sony yep like i said in my comment, fanboy??? how can i be called a fanboy when I Have NO BLIND ALLEGIANCE to any of the consoles. Did you only read part of my comment or are you just trying to be clever?
It's FANBOYS in general that make me sick, why do corporations need to spend millions on advertising when they already have their consumers so brainwashed that they'll fight their battles for them, no matter how badly they are treated.
I'll repeat myself for those who have a hard time working it out for themselves NO 360, NO WII, NO PS3 = NO FANBOY!!!
WIKIPEDIA "Fanboys are stereotypically aggressive and hateful towards the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements."
Before some smart-arse claims that i'm obsessed with hating Sony and that makes me an ANTI-SONY- FANBOY I'll point out again that ANY company that deserves negative press should and usually does get it, I've previously criticized Epson (printer ink rip off) Microsoft (too many windows related gripes to list) Sky TV and many more...
I feel pity, not hatred for Sony's customers untill they attack me with fanboyish propaganda.
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Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 12:13
10/27
Give some one enough rope and they'll hang themselves.
TimSpong 18 Apr 2007 12:17
11/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Give some one enough rope and they'll hang themselves.
OK, so you've won today's "I've got limited argument so I'll retreat behind cliche" prize. Now, what discussion point are you actually putting up against Slim?
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 12:35
12/27
Tim Smith wrote:
OK, so you've won today's "I've got limited argument so I'll retreat behind cliche" prize. Now, what discussion point are you actually putting up against Slim?
Hang on, I'm not trying to win anything. I just found it funny that you stated
"What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come."Then Slim posted his reply...
Then after my slightly sarcastic comment, slim replied with an essay ticking all the boxes for being a "Anti Sony Fanboy". Now your having a pop at me for this mild dig, why? What am I retreating behind?
Jacob March 18 Apr 2007 12:45
13/27
Nobody seriously believes that Sony has actually shifted the numbers of PS3s they are trying to claim. They have sent to shops this number, but actual sales are in the toilet and anyone with more than half a brain cell knows it.
Sony has treated UK and European people like muck by making us wait until they were good and ready to release their overhyped console, and to compound matters that have charged us much more for it. It is actually cheaper to purchase a Japanese PS3, pay import tax and shipping than to buy a UK one!
I urge people to get themselves a Wii or a 360, or a DS but show how you feel about Sony's treatment of us, and how we fell about its sales LIES by not buying their overpriced PS3.
D.
Sony has treated UK and European people like muck by making us wait until they were good and ready to release their overhyped console, and to compound matters that have charged us much more for it. It is actually cheaper to purchase a Japanese PS3, pay import tax and shipping than to buy a UK one!
I urge people to get themselves a Wii or a 360, or a DS but show how you feel about Sony's treatment of us, and how we fell about its sales LIES by not buying their overpriced PS3.
D.
TimSpong 18 Apr 2007 13:07
14/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Hang on, I'm not trying to win anything. I just found it funny that you stated
"What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come."Then Slim posted his reply...
Then after my slightly sarcastic comment, slim replied with an essay ticking all the boxes for being a "Anti Sony Fanboy". Now your having a pop at me for this mild dig, why? What am I retreating behind?
"What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come."Then Slim posted his reply...
Then after my slightly sarcastic comment, slim replied with an essay ticking all the boxes for being a "Anti Sony Fanboy". Now your having a pop at me for this mild dig, why? What am I retreating behind?
Slim's posting seemed to indicate to me that she is not a fanboy of any particular camp or clique. Therefore, your post appeared to me to be missing the point.
I tend to enjoy the debates we have here in SPOnG - but I avoid cliché like the plague - so your use of the 'enough rope' trope made my blood boil like a that of a small but full leech on acid dropped into boiling water. However, on the day, I guess you're giving a 110% on the Forums and you can't say fairer than that as it's all swings and roundabouts in the final analysis 24/7.
Cheers
Tim
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 13:29
15/27
Slims a girl? I thought he/she was anonymous, How do you know? That would make her an Anti-Sony Fangirl, no? My understanding of a fanboy would be someone who blindly follows a particular thing. Your comment of attracting Anti-Sony Fanboys to this thread, would surely make slim fit that billing.
Dreadknux 18 Apr 2007 13:34
16/27
If I'm being honest, Slim doesn't appear to be anti or pro fanboy/girl to me. The way he/she/it projects him/her/itself is someone who, as he/she/it (blimey...) said beforehand, doesn't tie themselves (can't be bothered anymore) to one particular manufacturer.
Seems to me that Slim's more of a disgruntled consumer more than anything, that has had anger locked from within since centuries unforetold... until a time comes upon which such anger is unleashed with such vigour and spirit that no man, woman nor child dare cease to desist.
... generally I think he/she/it's just overly pissed off.
Seems to me that Slim's more of a disgruntled consumer more than anything, that has had anger locked from within since centuries unforetold... until a time comes upon which such anger is unleashed with such vigour and spirit that no man, woman nor child dare cease to desist.
... generally I think he/she/it's just overly pissed off.
TimSpong 18 Apr 2007 13:47
17/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Slims a girl? I thought he/she was anonymous, How do you know? That would make her an Anti-Sony Fangirl, no? My understanding of a fanboy would be someone who blindly follows a particular thing. Your comment of attracting Anti-Sony Fanboys to this thread, would surely make slim fit that billing.
I have no idea what gender Slim is - that's the anonymous point. She could be though...
In terms of fanboyism though... (Slim) has not portrayed any particular bias one way or the other. My definition of 'fanboy' is someone who quite blindly supports their own consumer decision (in this case, a games platform - usually a console, but in some cases a games maker). It is not someone who follows a particular 'thing'.
Some call these people 'champions' or 'advocates' - and that's all well and good. There is nothing bad about committing support to some worthwhile cause or item - in fact in the current climate of 'Meh', 'bovvered' and 'what-eva', some kind of passionate commitment is quite laudable. The problem arises when advocacy falls into blind rage at the perception of bias in anything that does not 100% support a chosen object of desire.
Fanboyism can move from positive, hype-aware vigilance to zealous vigilantism. From what I can glean from Slim's posting, she or he is getting angry about people not being able to see past their own bias - and that's anti-fanboyism.
Just to make SPOnG's position clear - we're quite happy to slag or support anybody as long as they don't support Bristol City or think that the Atari ST was better than the Commodore Amiga (it wasn't... ever... the Amiga kicked its ass - is my bias showing?)
Slim 18 Apr 2007 14:12
18/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Slims a girl? I thought he/she was anonymous, How do you know? That would make her an Anti-Sony Fangirl, no? My understanding of a fanboy would be someone who blindly follows a particular thing. Your comment of attracting Anti-Sony Fanboys to this thread, would surely make slim fit that billing.
Ok, if it makes your sad little life any happier I'M AN ANTI-SONY FANBOY, guess by that logic i'm also an ANTI-TONY BLAIR FANBOY, an ANTI-GEORGE BUSH FANBOY, an ANTI-GREEN VEGATABLES FANBOY and an ANTI-IDIOTS WHO WRITE STUPID ILLOGICAL POINTLESS COMMENTS FANBOY.
Now why don't you go play on the PS3/XBOX/WII only fan sites were mindless, illogical comments are all the rage.
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 14:30
19/27
Why are you so angry?
Dreadknux 18 Apr 2007 14:32
20/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Why are you so angry?
Because you keep provoking him?
Just throwing it out there.
(At least, I've deduced Slim is a 'he' after the 'fanboy' thing ^_^)
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 14:36
21/27
Tim Smith wrote:
In terms of fanboyism though... (Slim) has not portrayed any particular bias one way or the other...
...From what I can glean from Slim's posting, she or he is getting angry about people not being able to see past their own bias - and that's anti-fanboyism.
I'm sorry but what you've just stated doesn't make sense, Slim said that he/she hated Sony, I cant think of anything more polarizing/biased than that. And how on earth can you have a go at people not seeing "past their own bias" when they (Slim) are quite obviously biased.
Tim Smith wrote:
"What is also a shame is that will, no doubt, stoke the one-eyed, puerile, anti-Sony fanboy fires for weeks to come.
I took your comment to mean people who were obsessed with hating Sony. Have I misunderstood your comment?
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 14:39
22/27
Svend Joscelyne wrote:
Because you keep provoking him?
It would appear that Slim was very angry way before I butted in. Damn you Epson, Damn you down to hell!!
Slim 18 Apr 2007 15:42
23/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Svend Joscelyne wrote:
Because you keep provoking him?
It would appear that Slim was very angry way before I butted in. Damn you Epson, Damn you down to hell!!
Ok i'm done with this thread.
I'm not "obsessed" with hating anything or anybody, as a consumer i'm just not going to keep giving my hard earned cash to company's that don't play fair.
You know this full well, but because i can't be criticized for having a Nintendo/Microsoft fanboy bias you try to spin it that i'm some kind of obsessive Sony hating grudge bearing activist.
I clearly stated my "justifiable" and "logical" reasons for my negative attitude towards Sony, if you wish debate any of them in a "sensable manor" i'll be willing to do so otherwise i'm done here.
Oh and that very witty remark about Epson "Damn them to hell." Again you know perfectly well i was just showing that Sony are not the only rip-off Company i write negatively about.
I bought an Epson printer and the microchip tells you it's empty and makes you change cartridge when it's still half full. No i wont be petrol bombing Epson head office but i wont be buying another Epson printer, or maybe it's me who's stupid for not paying company's to rip me off. http://pcworld.about.com/news/Oct242003id113112.htm
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 16:16
24/27
Slim wrote:
I'm not "obsessed" with hating anything or anybody, as a consumer i'm just not going to keep giving my hard earned cash to company's that don't play fair.
You know this full well, but because i can't be criticized for having a Nintendo/Microsoft fanboy bias you try to spin it that i'm some kind of obsessive Sony hating grudge bearing activist.
I've re-read your initial post and I cant read it any other way that you hate Sony with a passion, hence my sarcastic comment, I was only trying to be a little light hearted.
As you state that you don't own a Nintendo or Xbox, therefore cannot be a fanboy, what console do you own?
I'm all for consumer rights and being against "rip-off" companies, But how have Sony ripped you off, if you haven't bought anything from them? Ignore this question if you had a rootkit infected laptop that you where tricked into buying that blew up.
Slim 18 Apr 2007 18:08
25/27
Rutabaga wrote:
Slim wrote:
I'm not "obsessed" with hating anything or anybody, as a consumer i'm just not going to keep giving my hard earned cash to company's that don't play fair.
You know this full well, but because i can't be criticized for having a Nintendo/Microsoft fanboy bias you try to spin it that i'm some kind of obsessive Sony hating grudge bearing activist.
I've re-read your initial post and I cant read it any other way that you hate Sony with a passion, hence my sarcastic comment, I was only trying to be a little light hearted.
As you state that you don't own a Nintendo or Xbox, therefore cannot be a fanboy, what console do you own?
I'm all for consumer rights and being against "rip-off" companies, But how have Sony ripped you off, if you haven't bought anything from them? Ignore this question if you had a rootkit infected laptop that you where tricked into buying that blew up.
I own or have owned nearly all the previous generations of consoles (never owned 3DO or Jaguar) right back to the Atari 2600. I don't own any of the current gen consoles and have no immediate plans to.
My first minor gripe with Sony was the disappointment of buying the PS2 and expecting it to be even half as good as the hype had led me to believe, my dreamcast was a better console in so many ways.
I Still didn't hold a grudge at this point, my Saturn & PS1 sat happily side by side before so i just made note to self not to buy another console on launch.
To cut a long story short, ever since then i've had nothing but problems this Sony products and yes i did have a rootkit infection and Sony's rootkit remover made things even worse! It took third party software to eventually put things right.
Since then i feel like the guy in the matrix after he takes the pill, i'm sorry if i offend anybody except Sony but nearly every word that comes out of their mouths these days are lies and arrogance.
Sony Lies About Killzone At E3 2005
E3 2006: Kutaragi Claims PS3 Too Cheap?
Next Generation will start with the PS3
Sony viral marketing ploy angers consumers
Sony Exploding Batteries
Anon 18 Apr 2007 18:21
26/27
I work at SCEE, and we got told about that letter on monday, however there's still a bit more of info left out there.
Besides the 160 ppl from UK alone, 940 total will lose their jobs at SCE globally, that includes Japan, Asia, America and Europe.
Well that's all.
Besides the 160 ppl from UK alone, 940 total will lose their jobs at SCE globally, that includes Japan, Asia, America and Europe.
Well that's all.
Rutabaga 18 Apr 2007 18:56
27/27
Slim wrote:
My first minor gripe with Sony was the disappointment of buying the PS2 and expecting it to be even half as good as the hype had led me to believe, my dreamcast was a better console in so many ways...
I Still didn't hold a grudge at this point, ...
...i'm sorry if i offend anybody except Sony but nearly every word that comes out of their mouths these days are lies and arrogance.
Fair enough, if you've had these issues, but I think you need to chill a little, getting that mad at a particular company comes across as a little obsessive, hence my sarcastic comment. Sony have made mistakes over recent years but know ones been killed as a result, have they? There are far more important issues happening in the world to be that concerned about the "evils" of Sony, they're not war criminals. There's also a lot of negative s**t stirring going on at the moment, that seems to fuel these debates.
Have you ever read the Daily Mail?
Incidently my PS2 that I got at launch still works fine today, after 7 years of abuse, I've never had a problem with any Sony products (touches wood that my PS3 doesn't immediately burst into flames).