Normally we are up here saying "numbers are down, we're laying off"
This time is different. The layoffs announced today are replacing expensive field reps with inside roles OR giving those field reps the opportunity to move sideways and be something else..
And I dont blame them, we have just had record profits and proven that we dont need to do hundreds of face to face meetings, have expensive buildings and expensive AMEX's to do the job.
Field sales is going to be impacted. It just is. I would do the same and I am in field sales. I dont feel safe or smug but I cant blame any manager in Dell for looking around and thinking that we spent too much money on field staff tripping over each other. People are happy to be paid less to work like we are now. Customers are happy with it as well.
Dell will be sensible with it I am sure, but why wouldnt you look through the costs and ask why.