Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

Unfortunately, I've seen tenured Nike people laid off who were close to retiring and I've seen 26-29 year olds laid off because they were hired in dead in jobs. Common theme I'm seeing is people assume it's only 50 and above. I can ensure you, I know people who were laid off that literally are only 2 years separated from college.

It's a shame a lot of folks are jumping to conclusions but what would happen if NIKE laid off all 25-35 year olds. What would that do to their business model? Their would be "challenging of ideas", no conflicts. Business strive on competition, challenging ways, questioning ideas. We lost sight of that when those big ole PSP bonuses came out in 2015. Everyone said I'm "elite", "I'm the smartest". No. We were lucky.

Most of the people I knew who were in 55 and above, constantly would tell me "I'm on the verge of retirement, you do this". Nice folks but god damn, were still a company that has to make money and require people to work and not be out 12 weeks of the summer on PTO, then connect it with their sabbatical in October. Decisions need to be made and we lost control of the wheel.

Of course MP is going to address the remaining masses, probably in an email like last time. Who cares? I can write him a fantastic spin campaign right now that would make it all sound brilliant and planned. But the point is this -- does ANYONE on here believe the latest triple double offense is going to work? Does anyone even think it's anything more than the same old s--- wrapped in a new sporty name? Here's how we know it won't. Nike's time to market is almost the same amount of time MP gave as the goal to achieve the triple double. Is there anything in Nike's to market line-up RIGHT NOW that is going to somehow flip the switch because that's what would need to happen. There's literally not enough time. If this was about changing the structure to achieve goals, this would have happened minimum 2 years ago. Ideally three. Cost savings could easily be achieved by MP could not taking a salary and bonus for one year (lol) or even basing his entire salary and bonus on performance metrics, and ET taking less than 10% cut and no bonuses. This is what panic looks like. Remember when TE sent out that accountability stuff earlier this year? Laughable. Never heard another word about it again. The reality is that Nike is 100% a boys club filled with boys who like their money and their access to famous people and the amazing perks they get (who wouldn't love $40k trips to the Super Bowl!). It is not about the people-employees or shareholders. If it was then they'd work harder at being a leading brand and holding the decision makers accountable-because you know what shareholders love? Big returns. And big returns only come when you OWN the market. adidas didn't come out of no where. C'mon. They saw multiple gaps in the market that Nike was not covering and moved in. adidas didn't just focus on athletes because (get your head out of the Kool-aid people) not everyone is an athlete. It just makes me sad. It's clear leadership has either no idea what is happening, why it's happening, or they just don't give a crap as long as their life looks the same. Regardless, it just keeps going in the same direction. And it is ABUNDANTLY clear, they are now in the worst possible position because they are too weak to actually be the innovative company they say Nike is. Innovation takes risks, which means you have to be willing to lose, and no one in the ET is going to risk losing their spot at the top to make this company great again.

Maybe I should have brought attention to the VP who went to the Super Bowl and spent $40k on tickets and a house for the week for himself and 4 friends, all on Nike's dime. All when Nike was under a travel ban. This VP's category has absolutely nothing to do with football.

I was a doer put in a strategist role and it drove me nuts. My last CFE (which was a highly successful) i received these direct quotes from fellow co-workers "I always did or tried to do the right thing," "I was a stickler for the Nike best practices I was taught," "I worked too many hours," and "I always held others accountable." HR considered every single one of those as a negative and a way I could improve.

So when you ask what did you do to those laid off maybe you would be better off asking why am I still here.

Heard Mark P. Wanted to retire but the board doesn't want him too.

David A. Got canned for pulling some dumb Sh!t and the brass didn't like him.

That other chick Jean Jackson got phased out for messing up NAPC.

Some poor choices led up to this. Hiring like crazy. Hiring kids straight out of college.

I had someone tell me that I didn't s--- up enough to the right people that is why I was out.

Obviously he has his method of getting ahead. I was a worker bee trying to get ahead through hustle. It's a little of both right? But the Peter Principal seems to be in full effect in this org. Promoted quickly so fast that you never master the basics and you don't have the necessary skills to excel and help your team. People who were digital community specialist are now Directors in some cases I totally get it. In others/most it's just about who you know.

The VP's girlfriends brother gets hired? HR exec niece gets hired. It happens everywhere, but it's def. a problem. It's more about your "brand" than your work ethic. The hardest working people in our group were let go. Yet the 'cool' guy is still there. One of my extended team members was awful and lazy at her job. Yet, no one was been managing her for like 2 years. Elevated concerns to her boss and her bosses boss and nothing happened. It's a joke. The accountability. The fact that NIKE kept the posers over the workers is not what a real sport coach would do.

Man oh man. I own shares I hope Nike can fix it

I was let go in June. I have gone through a range of emotions since then. I am saddened that Nike culture is changing in a way that is unrecognizable to me. I do still have faith in Mark Parker. I was afforded opportunities that are not common in many other companies. At the end of the day I don't hate Nike, I don't hate the senior leadership. Decisions were made and they were cold and calculated. In many cases they were wrong.

I see all of the same things that many people here have mentioned -public relations campaign's to prop up low level VPs, cult of personality in place of Craftsmanship and getting things done, hiring in people with pedigrees assuming they will fix all woes that didn't even really exist prior to them coming on board, relieving the doers in favor of strategists.And that saddens me.

Honestly I want to thank Nike. I made great friends had great experiences and Built and enviable resume. Nike afforded me these opportunities.

So am I mad? Not really. Am I disappointed? Very. Am I saddened by the culture shift ? yes. Would I go back? Yes I would, under the right circumstances. Do I hope that Mark Parker can define his moment and straighten this thing out? Yes.

Rumor is, that Mark Parker and his leadership team are going to address the organization about what has occurred. They will talk about the hard work in front of them, The change in Nike maxims, and the culture and the organization of changed and this is a necessary step in the evolution of the company. People that are left behind only to listen to what is sad, and what is not said at that time and determine if this is the company for them forward.

Best of luck to all

Txi: then you are better off somewhere else. You did what was right for the company and the brand. When the time comes and I leave I will continue to support Nike because I know my time in Nike served a purpose.

I imagine that many (most) of the people laid off voiced concerns but their managers couldn't pursue them because expressing negative opinions at the S band level and above is a recipe to be let go.

In my division all the layers of mgmt stayed in place. And lower band levels were let go most with long terms of service. We were the ones doing the work not making PowerPoints and drinking the coffee. Yet we continued to see new hires straight out of college being hired one after another. They are still working. This layoff was nothing more than putting money on the bottom line. There was no loyalty to tenured employees that worked their a** off. Millions and millions of dollars for new buildings. A portion of that would have kept people employed.

FYI... I did. I wrote a letter to mark recently telling him about how I felt and listed a list of things that he should look into. Look at where I am now!

A bit sanctimonious aren't you right now? People are hurting and angry. They need a place to vent. And yes many did try for change and found the good ol'boy brick wall. Enjoy your tenure. But you never know what lays ahead. Many good creative people were ceremoniously canned.