I recently read an article on ZDNet’s blog – http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=10403

It talks about Gartner’s worst case for 2009 IT Budget and why it isn’t so bad given the current financial issues worldwide.

Towards the end of the article, there are 10 points about managing through an economic crisis… hmm somehow, I feel those points are all related to layoffs. Here goes:

1] Reduce headcount or freeze hiring
Freeze hiring, means anyone who leaves does not get replaced, and therefore more stress for other staff who eventually leave. And Reduce headcount, well that just means layoffs.

2] Renegotiate with technology and service providers
This would force your vendors to execute layoff to reduce their costs and still make profits from you.

3] Curtail data center expansion, virtualize assets and lease them back
i.e. consolidate your data center and layoff of your extra data center employees!

4] Consolidate systems
Now you can layoff of non-data centre employees!

5] Outsource commodity
Take it to India and get rid of your office staff.

6] Offshore outsource
Take everything overseas including your receptionist.

7] Investment shutdown
Can’t afford to pay your staff or support new projects? Layoff!

8] Prioritize projects
Do only the ones that make the most profit – cut the rest, including innovation!

9] Mothball businesses and projects
I guess, this is the MBA terminology to the above point

10] Change leadership and restructure IT teams
Take them all for a trip to the Hunter Valley, have a secret meeting with 2 cases of wine and who ever wasn’t invited to that “secret” meeting gets laid off.