Case Study

I. Introduction

Cheryl Ways was still at work around 9 pm even she had been told three weeks earlier that she was soon going to be laid off. How did she do that? How did the company she worked for achieve her great working attitude? Communication was the key to success of Agilent Technology to overcome hard times and what they achieved was incredible: Despite laying off 20 percent of employees in the company, they were still listed at number 31 in Fortune’s “100 best companies to work for”.

II. Analysis of the Case

Agilent Technology deserved to receive trust and sympathy of employees as they always tried their best in

Firstly, Agilent Technology always showed their attentions toNot only when the company had to lay off employees, Agilent Technology followed the percept of HP that workers would give their best if they were treated honestly and listened to. They always maintained an open style of communication through emails, meetings, and other media. Their respect to employees helped them to be likely to convince employees in the hard time, even for the hardest situation here as layoffs.

Prior to commencing downsizing, Agilent tried other solutions to their business woes: a pay cut of 10% to save costs, reducing external consultants and hirings and calling on staff to limit travel and other discretionary spending. Minimize layoffs by reducing variable pay such as stock options and bonuses.

Despite laying off 8,000 workers (20 percent of the company) in 2001, the following year the company was listed at number 31 on Fortune’s “100 best companies to work for” -> retained the trust of employees and displayed empathy toward their plight

Staff knew what was going on through a “barrage of emails and face-to-face meetings with top management down”. Other forms of communication with staff included a newsletter called InfoSparks that came out twice a week, “coffee talks”, brainstorming meetings, and public-address-system speeches.

The 3,000...