Microsoft set to announce more layoffs

In an effort to streamline its workforce and get rid of redundant positions, Microsoft is set to let go of about 2,100 workers today. The second round of layoffs will happen in various divisions and even in Puget Sound, where Microsoft is based, it will lose 747 people today. The job cuts seem to be integral to new CEO Satya Nadella’s plans for Microsoft. He has already shuffled top management and wants to ensure that Microsoft software makes its way to different devices.

Source: Ubergizmo

HP to cut an additional 16,000 jobs or 5 per cent of workforce

Alarming news coming from HP today as the company says it needs to cut 16,000 jobs which is around five per cent of their workforce, in order to make ends meet, the latest numbers mean that as many as 50,000 employess could be let go in the wake of the ongoing global restructuring efforts.

No turnaround is easy and the PC market, which HP is a leader, has been taking a beating these last few years mainly because of the rise in mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Some companies, like Lenovo, are doing better than expected but HP's trying its best to right the ship.

With the first half of our fiscal year completed, I'm pleased to report that HP's turnaround remains on track," said Meg Whitman, president and chief executive officer, HP. "With each passing quarter, HP is improving its systems, structures and core go-to-market capabilities. We're gradually shaping HP into a more nimble, lower-cost, more customer- and partner-centric company that can successfully compete across a rapidly changing IT landscape." 

Source: HP

BlackBerry to lay off 300 Waterloo-based employees

 BlackBerry has laid off 300 more employees based in their Waterloo, Ontario headquarters, as part of the 4,500 layoffs expected while the company prepares to be acquired.

“As previously mentioned, we are in a period of transition and we must focus on enhancing our financial results to be in a better position to compete in this current mobile environment,” said a BlackBerry spokesperson in an emailed statement to the Financial Post.

BlackBerry has trimmed more than 7,000 jobs since 2011 as it attempted to restructure and refocus its product line to better compete with popular handsets from Apple and various Android OS vendors like Samsung and HTC.

4,500 employees are expected to be let go for the next three quarters as the company reels from a recent almost $1 billion loss.

Source: Financial Post

Google lets go of 4,000 Motorola Mobility employees

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

In an effort to curtail Motorola's Mobility's declining sales, Google has let go of 4,000 employees of Motorola Mobility, the company it acquired for $1.5 billion last year in order to secure valuable patents that would aid the search giant in its efforts to dominate the mobile smartphone and tablet market.

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