"Microsoft announced more layoffs today, and
I was one of them," wrote Don Dodge in a
blog post Wednesday. A veteran of five startups -- Forte Software, AltaVista, Napster, Bowstreet, and Groove Networks -- Dodge was director of business development for Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) emerging business team, the goal of which is "to help VCs and startups be successful with Microsoft."
"This was a total surprise to me, and management offered no explanation," continued Dodge. "This is pretty standard procedure, mostly for legal reasons, but none the less left me with a cold feeling."
"All layoffs suck, but letting Don go is a huge mistake for Microsoft,"
blogged TechCrunch's Michael Arrington, continuing:
He nearly singlehandedly defends the Microsoft brand in a fairly anti-Microsoft developer and user community. For many people in the startup community, Don is the face of Microsoft. He travels constantly, speaking at events whenever he's asked, and makes a big effort to give young startups the attention they deserve. This is a guy who gives a heck of a lot more to the community than he ever takes back.
Dodge's job is
one of 5,000 the software giant announced in January that it would eliminate this year and next, the first time in Microsoft's 34-year history that it has made widespread staff cuts. The layoffs are part of moves the Seattle company expects will trim $1.5 billion in annual operational costs.
What's next for Dodge?
"I will be blogging more often now," he wrote. "And that excites me." -
Mary Kathleen Flynn
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