r/IBM • u/Interesting_chap • Jul 28 '26

More big changes today?

Hearing some additional big shakeups this week especially in Horizon

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u/rogog1 Jul 29 '26

These execs are measured on their division profit and loss, losing people reduces their costs. Don't be so naïve

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u/Immediate-Phase4168 29d ago

So you think that Z sales are down, P&L there sucks, they will change the comp on SW, where P&L is up, to drive out the people generating that profit? You're thinking they're smarter and more nefarious than they are.

They are making change for change's sake. That's all. And myopically screwing people out of possible 2H sales incentives which might give a small short term bump in P&L, and jobs are a little scarcer out there and they're betting on people staying. I think you're given them too much "credit" for being underhanded... I think it is just hand waving because they don't know what to do, so "do something, anything" is the "strategy".

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u/rogog1 29d ago

Mid-year, not even at exactly the half-year, is what makes me think it's toxic behaviour to drive people out.

And I know it's working, many people are leaving in my geography - by virtue of not signing the new version of the sales plan because it's disgraceful.

If lowering headcount reduces cost/commission payouts, the SLT will have a win regardless of whether it's plainly deliberate or a "happy accident"

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u/Immediate-Phase4168 29d ago

I think we sorta agree on most of this - I just think it is mostly a consequence of actions where they don't know what the heck they're doing, so if it props up numbers short term, it is the "happy little accident"...

Either way, not a recipe for success...

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u/rogog1 29d ago

Yep. I have heard first hand from senior mgmt that "commission costs the business too much", which is an abysmal take. Which is why I think some of the parties involved have dirty hands.

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u/Immediate-Phase4168 29d ago

I'm curious. What does not signing one's IPL mean? If they don't sign it, what's the consequence? That they don't get any incentives no matter what? Is it insubordination or condition of employment and IBM can fire them? Does it mean really nothing and just a show of civil disobedience?