The announcement came just three weeks after the deal closed, which is the way you're supposed to handle these things. Leaving people dangling and demoralized just makes things worse. Making the cuts just before Christmas struck some as harsh. But wouldn't you want to know before you shopped? 

A-B InBev's British operations are bracing for layoffs as well, and U.S. operations also saw 1,000 early retirements over the summer. All told, the company says it's on track to realize the $1.5 billion in cost cuts it has promised by July of 2009. When all the cutting is done, A-B's U.S. operations are expected to employ 20,600 people, down 12%.

Never mind the stress and the travel and the all-nighters on the part of those who get the deal done. In truth, these folks are experiencing the hard part of corporate dealmaking. The fact that they begin their job searches amid a wave of recession-related layoffs makes it even harder. 

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay held out hope that the stimulus package outlined by President-elect Obama would help put some of the laid-off to work. From alcoholic beverage IT to healthcare IT? Nice work if they can get it, and here's hoping they can. - Kenneth Klee