EA Japan exec laments Microsoft's crushing layoffs, and the demands shareholders make for 'short-term results from large-scale investments'
EA Japan exec laments Microsoft's crushing layoffs, and the demands shareholders make for 'short-term results from large-scale investments'
Restructure is essentially synonymous to being fired/laid-off in Japanese. Shaun points out its used with relatively mixed meanings elsewhere.
Just speaking from my own knowledge of Japanese work culture, each employee and employer are a lot more mutually valued with each other than a relationship with shareholders. The need to frequently turnover staff reflects worse on both. Japanese shareholder relationships with companies, in turn, traditionally (post-bubble era) are less focused on solely "fiduciary duty". They were more on stability, sharing success with good product releases, customer relations and feeling that you are part of the company itself as a shareholder. Many offer(ed) annual gifts and product samples to their domestic shareholders.
So the idea to pursue short-term growth at the expense of long-term success or popularity, is not as well-received by Japanese executives, employees and the public as it may in North America.
Thanks for sharing that comment.
I found this section of Shaun’s comment to be particularly reflecting of the way North American investors treat their businesses.
とくに近年の外資系企業では大規模な投資に対して短期間での成果を求める傾向が強まり、十分な時間をかける前に株主の期待に応えるための方向転換が行われる場面も少なくありません。今回の報道もそうした構造の中で起きた出来事だと受け止めています。
For those who need a translation:
In recent years, particularly, when it comes to companies that rely on foreign investment, there’s been an increasing expectation that large scale investments will be met with quick results in the short-term. And it has become commonplace that before enough time can be spent on a project, these companies opt to switch directions in order to satisfy investor demands. That the events this time is yet another such example, is what we’re taking of this situation.
The later paragraphs lament the lost opportunities and wasted efforts that employees have to witness and go through, and how customers are disappointed that something that they’ve looked forward to failed to materialize.
Working in a company with a strong venture capitalist voice from above, I feel this. People in the company are trying really hard to create features and address problems for our customers, to make a really good product, and fortunately we do have a really good product. But the constant “you have to do this (because it increases your company value, but I won’t say that part out loud),” just to catch a hype, even when it doesn’t make sense, forces us to have to spend resources to essentially placate the investor, thus stretching us thin.
These people have no idea why businesses are successful, and they don’t really care. All they’re doing is to spray and pray, and hope that one of their investments will become the next Stripe, the next Spotify, the next Netflix, etc, and they would’ve made much more than what they’ve lost from businesses who can’t keep the engine burning.
That's what the company is for though.
"Shareholders and the Stock Market! Keeping inequality alive! It's easy to manipulate for your benefit! Get one now!!!"