Will "Pending Blood Bath" do?
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
-LENN HINDSMANN Apparently we touched a nerve or two over at Bookspan or Bertie or Direct Group… whatever. It was brought to my attention by our publisher and I felt it was appropriate to issue some calming words. Someone doesn’t like the fact that we refer to the current situation there as a “Blood Bath” and we have to admit that we may have jumped the gun a bit. How can we tag something its not? So with that said, going forward we will refer to it as a “Pending Blood Bath” instead of just “Blood Bath”. This makes it clear that this is something that hasn’t taken place as yet, but is likely to happen as the powers that be at BMG Columbia House & Direct Group decide on how many bodies they plan to bury, because some costs have to be cut from somewhere right? Unless of course Markus Wilhelm was making so much money that his departure hit the cost saving goal.Labels: BERTELSMANN, Bookspan |
Comments on "Will "Pending Blood Bath" do?"
YOU GUYS ARE FUCKING SICK! I FUCKING LOVE IT.
Don't you have anything better to do with your time – you callous SOB!
You are obviously some disgruntled former employee that has yet to land a REAL job!
Darling image, my sweet and oh-so-condescendingly contrite Mr. Hindsmann. It's lovely that you're now relying on this charming (albeit graphic) illustration to distract your readership from the main issues at hand. And, in case you missed it the first time around, here's a recap:
1. The use of the phrase "blood bath" and your reference to "bodies" being "buried" is callous and offensive. You seem to delight in kicking others (i.e. Bookspan employees) when they're down. Let me ask you this: Do you also kick your dog when you arrive home after a hard day's blogging?
2. In light of the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, I must again state that choosing "blood bath" as your catch phrase is probably a decision you'll want to reconsider. Ask your publisher. Perhaps he will advise you to "issue some calming words" to those individuals who have just experienced unspeakable horrors.
3. Apparently, your publisher is choosing to overlook the cold, hard fact that you appear to require the assistance of a good copy editor. I wonder...are you so anxious to post your deliciously sarcastic retorts that you skip the proofreading process? Tsk! For shame.
Also, might I point out that since you went through the apparent trouble of issuing this tongue-in-cheek retraction, you should have made sure that the word "Pending" was scrawled, graffiti-style, above "Blood Bath"? Some food for thought: Next time you endeavor to "issue some calming words," you should probably make sure that the accompanying graphic is not so glaringly contradictory. But maybe that's just me splitting hairs, again.
you guys are really taking this personal. These guys are not making fun of you, they are taking shots at your company management. They did the same thing to the CEO of Time Inc Ann Moore a few months back. Believe it or not Bookspan is a hot topic within media circles right now.
In reference to point 1 - if we're not able to find some humour in all of this, I won't be able to make it through my remaining days. I'm not at all offended, some of us make these same jokes at the office.
Hmmmm. Hey Lenn, are you sure YOU'RE not the disgruntled former Bookspan employee? The one who recently left the company? The one with the "questionable" ethics? The one who...with... OK, I'll stop there.
That said, some of us are having a lot of fun with this!
For the record, I don't think any of the posts are offensive. The writer is just doing his job. Some people are just too sensitive these days.
For the record, last time I checked, it was okay to express an opinion. If Media Wire Daily writers (such as Lenn Hindsmann) can express their opinions about the downfall of a corporate enterprise, they should expect that some readers may express a contradictory opinion. That's what happens when you have a section for "comments." And, again, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that at no point did I say layoffs would not happen. My issue was purely that the massive layoffs and "buried bodies" that Lenn seemed to be hinting at had not (yet) happened. He was exaggerating for effect which, in this instance, was irresponsible...in my opinion. (Note the use of the word "opinon.")
As for being too sensitive, that's also a matter of opinion. Some may call it sensitivity, others may call it righteousness, and many will call it just plain crazy. There's no "right" or "wrong" in that matter. Think what you will. What's not open to debate is the fact that 1) Lenn was premature in using the phrase "blood bath" (which he has admitted, with some prompting from his publisher) and 2) Lenn really might want to try proofreading before he publishes his pieces...otherwise, he's not really "just doing his job" as a writer.
These people are not reading the tea leafs. Several top managers were let go. More have been told their days are numbered. The person who says otherwise is distorting the facts.
Selling the GC building is a fact. Goldfarb said so in front of all of us at the Marriot Hotel. That is a fact. So they plan to get out of this building. Cost cutting is what they do well. So it follows more people will be let go. That is what Goldfarb did to CH. That is a fact also.
Another fact is that world and US music sales are down. That is adding pressure. Does this person want to refute this? I need a good laugh if he does.
The club and continuity business are declining. Ask CH and BMG. This is why Time/Warner merged with Bertelsmann. This is why other companies got out of the club and continuitiy business. I can list some if it will help. There are too many to list here, but I will if this person wants to spin in favor of Goldfarb and Bertelsmann. This merger would never have happened in my opinion if the individual club businesses were strong and vibrant. Again, refute this comment if you will.
So go from there.
A disgruntled employee who is working on becoming an ex-employee.
It appears to me that you are missing the point. As stated above: "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that at no point did I say layoffs would not happen. My issue was purely that the massive layoffs and 'buried bodies' that Lenn seemed to be hinting at had not (yet) happened." Emphasis on the "had not (yet) happened," please. I'm well aware of the proceedings of the Town Hall meeting. Because I have been the victim of corporate layoffs in the past, I am certainly not blind to the possibility of massive layoffs. I'm not here to go all Pollyanna on you folks, and you don't need to "school" me, thanks.
And I still stand by my assertion that Lenn needs a copy editor.
I like cheese. Cheese is good.
My cat's breath smells like cat food
To all the Bookspanners reading this while at work...maybe you should stop trolling the net while you are at work and perhaps do something productive for a change. You will receive no sympathy when you get shit-canned and actually have to go out and work for a living.
But if the Bookspanners stop "trolling" this site, no one would read your blog. This has been the only post with a significant amount of comments. Perhaps you need us not to get "shit-canned" after all!
I'm glad that this blog is covering the merger. We hear no (truthful) information from management, so at least this blog makes it seems like someone cares.
Re: relying on the blog to cover the merger...uhhh, maybe you should pay more attention to what your company / management actually has to offer on this topic versus the inane ramblings of irrelevant people chiming in with their "Chicken Little" theories.
Hard to do when 'inane ramblings' is all management can give you too. They are in the same boat as us, unfortunately. Nobody is safe.
Management gives us nothing. If anything, they are (and always have been), more in the dark than we are.
And might I add, I am thrilled that they are in the same boat! It's about time.
It is obvious that the person trying to defend the next impending layoffs is some overpaid senior vp of publicity. S/he will spin the truth since that is their job! Can you possibly imagine that they went to school to learn how to do this job?
Facts are facts.
As to us still sitting here, we do work hard. It is an insult on your part to suggest otherwise. You are the useless one spining out your distortions. I never saw where it ever sold a book. You should be the first person eliminated.
Unfortunately others will go so you can be rewarded with a fat bonus check!
I am wondering how many of us are reading this now at work. I want to call myself pissed-off #1. Can my other co-workers please number and sign-in please. The truth spinner need not do so. we consider you lower than trash. we don't want you on our list.
Disgruntled and looking for another job!
pissed off number 2
Aff me to your list. I am #3
Pissed off #4!
Let's try this again. As quoted from above:
"It appears to me that you are missing the point.... At no point did I say layoffs would not happen. My issue was purely that the massive layoffs and 'buried bodies' that Lenn seemed to be hinting at had not (yet) happened. Emphasis on the 'had not (yet) happened,' please."
What, in any of this, gives any of you the idea that my words are in defense of layoffs? I'm not defending layoffs in any way. I'm not defending "cost cutting" or "eliminating duplicate positions" or any others of those anxiety-producing terms we hear echoing the halls of Bookspan.
My statements simply reflect the fact that many employees, though panic-stricken (and rightfully so), still do know who they're reporting to, contrary to the now-ancient post by one apparently disgruntled ex-employee. Lenn Hindsmann seized upon this post and embedded it in his article, which seemed to indicate that it was fact. (Yes, Lenn, I do recall that you have other sources "higher up the food chain.") It is not fact, it is exaggeration. It will become fact when it has happened.
Wish I were some "overpaid Senior VP of Publicity"--that way I might ensure some sort of comfy severance package when I'm axed. But I'm in the same boat as the rest of the lil' folks.
This whole thing is a disgrace. Goldfarb is charged with the sole mission of cutting and trimming until the company is a sliver of what it is now. The survivors get to go to Manhattan. Just how much additional space do you think Bertelsmann is going to pay for in NYC? Not a lot, IMO.
I think were premature to jump the gun on this considering that so far nothing resembling a "blood bath" has yet occurred at Bookspan.
Though when and if it does im crossing my fingers that certain ass't directors are the first heads to roll.
pissed off number 5
pissed off number 6
Call me #7
I'll be #8. Got word I'll be safe for at least another couple weeks to a month.
Pissed off number 8.
As to reporting, I was stripped of all my responsibility. I was told by my new BMG boss that they are in charge now. There was no question about that. So my faith seems to be hanging on the edge of a cliff.
As to rumors, some are rediculous and some are true. I understand that Goldfarb layed off a lot of people when he took over CH. He is big on cost cutting and also is loyal to his BMG staff, no one else. I have to assume he has a "screw the Bookspan" folks mentality. Why would I think otherwise? If he found value in us, why did he strip us of our responibility?
Fact is they are draining us with a lot of questions. They seem to be doing this fast so the hit has to be coming sooner rather than later.
This use to be a nice place to work. Now we have Goldfarb the buthcher.
As to the Goldfarb defender, it will be you one day who is thrown out.
#8
I am number nine.
I am passing this website around to the people i work with.
Hopefully there will be more support to defend ourselves.
Pissed off number 10.
And why do i feel that they are lieing to me?
They don't seem to keep a straight face when they talk to me.
To my fellow BookSpanners:
This is a difficult time for us as BMG comes in and tears the company apart one department at a time.
Today the BMG folks are laughing at us.
They think it is amusing to watch us doing everything we can to get on their good side. They think it is fun to make us feel like crap as they brag that their way of doing business is better. They enjoy the power of taking us over.
They can't even let us vent. Goldfarb and his his conceited posse have to add their two cents to this blog, telling us that we should spend more time working than trolling the blog, or that we should to stop listening to "Chicken little theories" and pay attention to what management is telling you (which, so far has been a load of crap).
Today...let them laugh.
Karma is a bitch. Those of you who have been here long enough know how easy it is to fall out with the Germans. It is no secret the club business is dying. Its just a matter of time...they will feel the cuts too.
So remember, today it is us shaking in our boots as we plan for life after BookSpan. Tomorrow, it will be them. Karma...
Call me #11...but I am not disgruntled, just disappointed. It didn't have to be like this.
Be careful all Bookspanners. I have been told that they are finding out who is leaving comments here by checking IP addresses on our computers, even home computers. It seems they have some way of doing this.
Cost cutting, restructuring, laying offs are too fimiliar words to many of us. Yes , I agree club business is becoming thing of the past. Technolgy has revolutionized everyone of us the way we work, the way we communicate, the way we buy and sell. However, whats important is the visionary thinking that focus on alternate business models to channel revenue generation streams. I wish Bookspaners all the best!
Good luck!
A fellow Bookspaner.
Check our IP addresses...go ahead...I'm not doing this from work, or on work time, so I believe I have every right to vent.
(I was P.O. #8, but someone took that, so I'll be 12 now! lol)
Have you all been given a time frame for these impending lay offs or are they still telling you your jobs are safe?
For the most part we're being told our jobs are safe because we all have work to do, and in the end that work still has to be done.
Good luck, i hate to say it but come next month you could find yourself with a lot less work to do.
Most definitely...when the cross-training starts, you know your job is gone.
hi
I heard about this from a fellow "pissed off". Call me number 13.
I fear for my job. They are all liars.
I am sorry i came to work here.
Lucky number 13
Number 14 here.
Answered 20 questions from concerned employees on the company web-site today by simply saying 'At this stage, we can't answer that as we don't have an answer yet.'.
The writing is on the wall, folks!
Im sorry i came to work here too, I'm hoping I can reclaim my soul on the way out the door.
I think the writing is in the blackberry.
I heard from my moms freind who is a VP over there that there determining who will go to the city and who will get the boot.
There is a company intra net where they posted a rumor answer list.
I asked the question... "Are there any layoffs planned in the near future?"
They said probably not. Well today they layed off a VP's.
So much for their honesty.
No more summer hours.
Next, they will cancel Christmas.
Another day and two more of my friends were let go.
So much for Goldfarb who told us it would not happen.
Liar!
have the asst directors gotten the boot yet?
Please, all you people...just you remember that you went to Bookspan/doubleday with the intent to collect a pay check. YOU chose to say yes when offered the position. All you had to do was say no. This is reality. If you we the owner of any company, you would keep your shareholders satisfied and make sure that you, yourself were covered. Its natural to be upset and even devestated or angry even BUT blame yourself for trashing your own work experience. Ask yourself how safe will you be at your next job....
Good luck to us all, I mean it but for Gods sake, being brats about it isn't doing anyone any good!
Shut up, look for a job and move on aLREADY LIKE THE REST OF US!
#14 (IF YOU CAN DEAL W/THAT!)
OK...#15 then (I missed 14)
Dear #14, Get over yourself. Most potential employers aren't looking for a know-it-all, and those of us who are left certianly don't want to hear from one.
Good luck everyone! #16
Hey #14
You had a typing error.
Similiar to your brain.
When Goldfarb promised us that no one would be let go, he should be honest about it. Instead he made one and all of us into jerks. I did not ask for that.
The intranet says that they are thinking about layoffs. Duhhhh.....
#17
I don't actually remember Goldfarb saying there would be no layoffs. Maybe I didn't have a good seat..? He said that specifically?
No. In fact he specifically said that there would be layoffs. I did not have a very good seat either but there wasn't a doubt about it.
Stuart Goldfarb never said there wouldn't be layoffs. In fact, he all but guaranteed it. I've heard no lies from anyone in a management position at BMG or Bookspan myself, though I've certainly been frustrated by how the untrue rumors are not being addressed or curtailed.
I'm certainly not pleased with how this "merger" is being handled, but I'm surprised at how sophomoric some of the comments here are. I guess a lot of the younger staff members have never been through a buyout, merger, or acquisition before. This one is actually not that bad in comparison to two I've been through! And incidentally I already know I'm losing my job, so I'm not talking from any position of safety or comfort.
Truly, though, I think anyone who isn't looking for another job right now is setting themselves up for a problem. It's going to get a whole lot worse here, and it may never get better. The folks who get to keep their jobs aren't necessarily the lucky ones. So cut your losses and get out there and get a great job that makes you happy. It's Summer, and at the very worst we'll be getting a fat final paycheck and some unemployment. I can think of worse ways to spend a month or two. (Like doing title planning.)
#14, Shove it where the sun dont shine! Most of us accepted the offer of the position under the assumption that we were working for a good company that treated its employees well.
I'm sorry but coming to work not knowing whether or not you will last to the end of the day isnt trashing your own work experience its having valid concerns about your job stability you robot!
And how do you know how people who have already left this company are doing, whose to say they havent already found new jobs or went down new career paths.
Obviously you are not in the least bit concerned about your employement otherwise you wouldn't be so offended by people voicing legitimate concerns.
As someone who recently got the boot, its quite possibly one of the best things that could have happened. It got me away from someting I really didnt want and now im going back to school and working towards a career I actually do want.
Truth be told the longer I was there the longer I saw what kind of people I worked with and realized that to survive in this company I would have had to become someone I didnt want to be.
As someone mentioned before with the summer coming and unemployment, its seriously not the end of the world, admittedly cobra is a bitch but what can you do.
Bookspan is a bad company, filled with a lot of crappy people who will be nice to your face and throw you down the river when your not looking. There are better opportunities out there!
Sales are down at both BMG and bookspan.
What logical conclusion can we draw?
Both goldfarb abd Wilhelm let the ball sink into the ocean.
They are clerly not marketing savy as they would let you to believe.
Agreed!
My clubs are sliiping in sales and members.
What will happen next?
Okay,
I need help.
I read all of this stuff and i now realize i have to make a decision.
What do you think will happen to this company?
Will sales go up or down?
What is the future of clubs?
Should I change jobs?
HELP!
YES! you should leave!!!! Most of the clubs are getting cut anyway...sorry to say--chances are not likely that you will be saved. Start looking now to get a feel for what is out there, but stick around for the package.
I think the smart money is on looking for a new job at this point. The majority of book club members are middle america, and its only a matter of time before they realize that amazon and barnes and noble is a better deal.
I think at this point you'd be smart to have a back up plan and be able to leave them before they let you go.
I know they keep saying how profitable book clubs are but I think the fact that merger is going on at all is a big red flag that that is not the case.
Hi
Can someone help me?
I work on some of the smaller clubs. I keep hearing all kinds of comflicting information.
Can someone tell me what is happening and what I should do?
Do the previous comments apply to me or just the senior management of this place?
Are you people serious? You are asking a bunch of kooks on a dumbass blog what to do with your life?
hahahahahahaha
i think the fact that your reading and commenting on this blog makes you a dumbass kook as well.
I've heard that Tuesday the 15th is going to be the day for the layoffs, or at least the first wave of them. So, maybe there will be some answers sooner than we think?
Sure, wait for the package, but don't just sit arouind waiting for the axe to fall. You need to get to work on securing a future. The money goes faster than you think.
Also, if you make it through the layoffs don't think your are safe. You are the new BMG slaves.
Checklist:
1) Up-to-Date Resume and references. Get you supervisors contact information now, before they are gone. Ask those you can trust to look at your resume and give you advice.
2) Start looking at job websites:
MarketingSherpa.com
Mediabistro.com
Indeed.com
Linkedin.com
3) Start networking TODAY. Once you are unemployed, happily laid off or not, you are desperate.It is much easier to ask people for help while you are still working.
did the layoffs begin today?
Yes...layoffs have begun...400 so far.
400 wow thats practically the whole company
Where?
I heard that 600 of the 900 people in Garden City were laid off today and the rest will be tomorrow. Bye bye spanners.
This is typical sick BMG humor.
Fuck you guys!
Um. No one got laid off today. Dope.
Didn't all the BMG people get laid off yesterday? Or maybe thats tomorrow. I can't get any of this straight anymore.
Well, do the BMG people think they are all safe? WHo knows if they might get downsized in this merger as well! Like it or not, there is bound to be an excess of employees and a shortage of office space.
I think the key players are in Europe right now. If that is the case, nothing is going to happen until they get back. They wouldn't want to miss the looks on our faces when they tell us to get the hell out. That's the kind of stuff the live for.
The 15th is over and no one in my dep't got laid off. So what's the deal? And why are ya'll being so mean to each other, this is the one place for everyone to go... It's not like we get news anywhere else, except for the stupid "Merger Question and Answers" crap we get which tells us nothing. Play nice kids-- We are all we have at this point.
Not sure what key players are in Europe now. I saw them all in Garden City on Tuesday. At this point, I am thinking no payoffs until after summer, which sucks.
I think you are right. Take avantage of your vacation days. No point in hoarding them. It could be a while.
Hang in there, Star. One day we'll look at this and laugh.
reality.....
BMG sales are dropping like a falling star.
Bookspan sales are not to far behind.
Club business in the world is falling.
Bertelsmann sees this and is managing the place to get as much profit out of it before closing it all up.
So as the person said previously, we are all in this together. So be nice while we take our lumps.
Does anybody know where Markus is these days?
He told all of us that we are in great health.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately, I think he meant his own financial future, not the company.
He's building down south building houses somewhere...
"...At this point, I am thinking no payoffs until after summer, which sucks."
Who are you kidding ... the work has already dried up to the point where everybody spends their days either playing games on the computer or updating their resumes and checking on Monster!
It cannot go on for much longer like this ..... the sooner I get my pay-off it's Auf Wiedersehen to Bookspan!
If you make it to the end of the year...get out, becuase you better bet your bottom dollar that 2008 layoffs, which will happen, will be at the BMG rates.
Does anybody know what sales look like since the brains at BMG took over?
Is anybody being told what to expect next?
Buy a lotto ticket Star. Saturday's drawing is for $36 Million.
Its doubtful you even work for Bookspan if you think that the BMG people could have had any influence over our sales at this point. Everything on the sales side that is happening here is a reflection of the oldl SMG. We can be hostile all we want about the BMG people, but at least they are thinking about our business in new and more realistic ways and at least they are out talking to and meeting with everyone. I never used to see Wilhelm or some of the other SMG big shots EVER. Who are we kidding?
You are a simple person.
How else can I explain you to someone?
Agreed.
What numbers should I play?
5 - 7- 17 - 25 - 41 - 56
The reason they want to talk to you is to figure out how to eliminate you, not how to increase sales. They are a dieing company and they know it. That is why they want your job.
Person is right. You are simple.
I am going to play those numbers.
Thanks for the help!
You are all idiots. Those are the wrong numbers.
You guys are sooo funny with the lotto comment... I used to work for Bookspan, and left a few months ago (thankfully). Bookspan is not what is used to be, it wasn't a fun place anymore and I didn't find that senior management really tried to make the business better. If you guys are getting the Bookspan severance and you have enough time under your belt, stick for the severance package. Good luck to all!!
What is so funny about the people in this room?
Read all of the comments.
Hey Markus,
Is that you?
Star, its Friday. You made it though another week! Don't let these yo-yos get you down.
Okay...so it hasn't been a bloodbath, but I feel like it is a slow and painful torture chamber.
Agreed!
I worked for that company for a good part of my professional career and they did nothing but suck the life from my soul, 'til I was a worn and whithered husk. Whether the ruling company is BMG or Bookspan, its two sides of the same coin. The handwriting has been on the wall for some time now - cut your losses and find something new, and start living again.
You said it SISTER (or brother)!
To the person defending BMG and this situation.....
Good luck to you and me when they walk us out the door because their profits are not high enough.
They think more about the almighty dollar and not enough of us.
Agreed!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Creative and Marketing - 100 people will be in the cafeteria and will be told by Stuart G that their position are bye-bye.next day,
Tuesday is the 2nd wave.
Also heard that applies to Inventory and Book Production.
I believe the layoffs are coming, but a mass layoff in the cafeteria seems too organized for this company. It probably won't be that humane.
I agree with a previous comment on BMG defenders...
Those who defend BMG Columbia House--the people who think that the new management knows better and that they are going to solve all of Markus' and SMG wrongs (of which there were many)--I think they need a reality check.
Stewart and his posse have done nothing with BMG Columbia House to prove to us that they have anything positive to offer BookSpan. The truth is, what Stewart knows how to do best is cutting costs by cutting people. If his team is talking to you, its not to make you feel wanted, its to drain you of info so they can eliminate your position.
If you believe BMG is offering a better future for BookSpan, YOU'LL get a reality check--along with your severance check.
We should support each other in this difficult time. However, I think our time would be better spent networking and preparing for interviews then defending BMG or the former SMG.
The Club business is at the end of its road. If we make it though this year's cuts, we might be here to see BMG Columbia House BookSpan close it doors. Honestly, I think that would be worse.
I hope to collect my check and find a better future elsewhere.
Best of luck to all.
Last person to join Linkedin.com is a rotten egg :)
Its a free service. And a very good networking tool. You'll find that you have lots of old friends and contacts out there to help you land in a better place!
Well said about what BMG did with CH in the past. All they did was cut people and in turn sales. I know these people well. They don't have music, let alone book marketing know how.
Prepare for the worse.
As to layoffs, I wish I knew what they intend to do. I can only speculate based on Bookspan's health and BMG's past history that heads will start to roll. SMG is just the first level of cuts. Clubs will close also. In my opinion, Stuart knows no other way.
As to the writer a bunch of emails ago who thinks that these guys are going to do something, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. You are just that simple of a mind. You deserve my bridge. Please send me the money in pennies. Don't forget to pay the postage!