With some time to spare today (being a little under the weather) I decided to catch up with this active discussion list. It *has* created a great deal of controversy. I decided that i would reply to this message, since Salah asked "Does anyone know how this will affect Novell's development effort of NDS?"
My short answer is that this article will cause trivial effects to NDS development compared to the effects that are being caused by this list and discussion.
As a Novell shareholder, and a Novell employee, I have followed this list for some time and it gives me a perspective of what people think. It also gives me goals for what I want to try and attain. One of the most powerful things I have ever learned ... is to learn from others. Because of this, I can not stay quiet any longer ... I want to learn from your expertise and experience. Please (without flaming, if possible) take some time to think about the following questions. I'd like to learn from you.
1. What are the problems at Novell?
I have been back at Novell for just over six months now. I have my viewpoint on what has occurred and what is now happening. I want to fully understand what problems have been researched and exposed from your position. Think of this as your list for the new BOD you want so badly. I guess that I'm curious about what the problems are, and i want fact ... proof.
2. How will changing the board fix things?
Based on answers to the question above, I guess that i want to understand how the proposed new BOD will fix these problems. I'd really like to know how, and with what methods. Also, if you could, I'd like to know just how long I should wait, as an employee and shareholder, for the "turnaround." I also want to make sure that the "new" BOD, if it comes about, knows the timeline that we will be measuring them by. Let's make this fair ... what's realistic?
3. Who will want the position with the current attention?
With the current attention, and hostile atmosphere, I'm curious about the logic and psychology behind attracting the right kind of CEO. Can you explain what kind of person is going to want to jump into this, and please let me know what this list is doing to set the level of expectations that the new CEO will have to live up to?
4. If compensation is changed as suggested who wants the job?
I noticed a couple of messages suggesting the restructuring of compensation for the executive management of the company. From my observations of government I feel that this is a questionable practice. What good law maker wants to go into public office for minor financial rewards and incredible ruthlessness and personal humiliation? Why would someone want to jump into Novell, with the current focus of attention, if miracles are required for payoff? There are a lot of other companies to go and manage where the potential payoff is just as large and the risks are less. Please explain the attraction? Are you structuring this in a way that would attract you to the job?
5. If you get what you want, and if it happens, who on this list is willing to assume personal and financial liability?
This list is creating a direction to move forward. It's good to have direction, focus, and momentum. But if this thing happens and it goes off a cliff ... who should I talk to? Please let me know who is stepping up to the plate. I want to make sure that a year from now i know who to address.
6. How is your "Novell bashing" making Novell appear in a better light?
Now that the media, and many other people are focusing attention on these issues, can you please let me know how it is helping me, and my coworkers, solve the problems you listed in question number 1 above? I work very hard at this company, I spend days and nights working to try and change things. I know a lot of other people at Novell, down in the trenches, that are working very hard for the same things that you seem to want. I also know that I am getting assistance from my management and the executive management in making progress. I want to say that you aren't making it easier for me. You aren't making it easier for Novell. I'm not sure that I truely understand how you think that another major shake-up, and waiting for more dust to settle, will fix things. I'm also not sure that I understand how this addresses question #1 above. Please explain this to me.
7. Why Cisco?
I saw several postings about this, and I have addressed Jesse Berst directly. Please educate me about this. Why? And please explain the total process for merging two companies successfully. From my recent readings (including a very good article in the Economist) it is very easy to screw up a merger. Mergers involve large amounts of planning to properly organize changes in management, products, channels, and most of all culture. For me to take this proposal seriously, I would want to understand the research that has been done to addess all of these areas.
I want to state that I am not writing this to be flamed! I know it will happen, but I'm hoping that someone here is going to take some time to address these questions and teach me -- no, to teach all of us -- about how to improve this situation. If this information has a good solid base of fact and research then it will provide real valuable information for the parties involved ... no matter what happens.
I see change occurring ... and as far as I'm concerned ... the industry better keep it's eyes open!
Scott C. Lemon |
