Dell Technologies Layoff Toll Hits Engineering, Product, More In Sales

Layoffs have spread from sales to engineering at Dell Technologies as the company announced thousands of cuts on Monday as part of an overall 5-percent workforce reducdtion.

As the announced Dell Technologies layoffs go forward, more of those affected appear to be in technical roles, with personnel in engineering, product and sales posting farewells to LinkedIn.

“After nearly 17 years at EMC/Dell Technologies, yesterday was my last. It‘s been a crazy ride, and there are far too many people to express my appreciation for who have helped me, mentored me and made this time full of wonderful memories,” wrote former Senior System Engineer Data Protection Solutions at Dell Technologies Chris Beischer.

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He was responsible for requirements gathering, services scoping and solution proposal development. Dell also laid off an inside product specialist with two years of experience supporting sales.

“I unfortunately was a part of the 5 percent workforce reduction,” wrote Tobey Weder. “While this was very shocking and unexpected news to me, I appreciate all the experiences and wonderful people that I got to know while working at Dell.”

Dell told CRN on Monday night it would have no further comment on the staff reductions.

Dell Technologies Co-Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke wrote about the firings in a memo on Monday. He said while the organization tried to pause hiring, reduce travel and eliminate expenses, those methods failed to turn back losses.

“The steps we’ve taken to stay ahead of downturn impacts, which enabled several strong quarters in a row, are no longer enough,” said Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and co-COO of Dell Technologies, in a letter to employees Monday announcing the layoffs. “We now have to make additional decisions to prepare for the road ahead.”

Dell’s cuts hit 5 percent of the 133,000 person workforce or an estimated 6,650 employees, as Dell succumbed to the pressure of decreased PC demand, with IDC reporting that PC orders at the Round Rock, Texas, company were down 37 percent in the fourth quarter. In additon to the cuts there was a reorganization of key sales leaders.

Also let go was a senior manager of channel sales, Megan Bergman, who spent more than a decade building a career with Dell from enterprise solutions specialist to senior manager.

“After 11 years it‘s time to turn in my Dell badge. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet so many amazing customers, partners and co-workers who I will always call friends. I love our Tech Community and excited to find a new way to contribute with my ideas and experience,” wrote the departing channel executive.

Geographically, the cuts were widespread with personnel in Colorado, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Connecticut being eliminated. One of them included a solutions architect focused on the high-value areas of hyber converged infrastructure, HCI, and Dell’s top selling PowerFlex and VxRail products.

“I got the news that my employment ends this Friday due to today’s resource action, and I’m leaving on good terms,” wrote Paul Braren, who spent three years at Dell. “My evaluations have been excellent, and my performance has been well beyond all quotas for several quarters. This is my first layoff in over 30 years in IT. I know I‘m truly blessed to have had the opportunity to also work at amazing companies like IBM and VMware.”