Wow, here’s a prime example of a company you don’t want to be working for, checkout this (de)motivational email it’s CEO Neal Patterson sent…
From: Patterson,Neal
To: DL_ALL_MANAGERS;
Subject:MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE: Week #10_01: Fix it or changes will be made
Importance: High
To the KC_based managers:
I have gone over the top. I have been making this point for over one year.
We are getting less than 40 hours of work from a large number of our
KC-based EMPLOYEES. The parking lot is sparsely used at 8AM; likewise
at 5PM. As managers — you either do not know what your EMPLOYEES are
doing; or YOU do not CARE. You have created expectations on the work
effort which allowed this to happen inside Cerner, creating a very
unhealthy environment. In either case, you have a problem and you will
fix it or I will replace you.
NEVER in my career have I allowed a team which worked for me to think
they had a 40 hour job. I have allowed YOU to create a culture which
is permitting this. NO LONGER.
At the end of next week, I am plan to implement the following:
1. Closing of Associate Center to EMPLOYEES from 7:30AM to 6:30PM.
2. Implementing a hiring freeze for all KC based positions. It will
require Cabinet approval to hire someone into a KC based team. I chair
our Cabinet.
3. Implementing a time clock system, requiring EMPLOYEES to ‘punch in’
and ‘punch out’ to work. Any unapproved absences will be charged to
the EMPLOYEES vacation.
4. We passed a Stock Purchase Program, allowing for the EMPLOYEE to
purchase Cerner stock at a 15% discount, at Friday’s BOD meeting. Hell
will freeze over before this CEO implements ANOTHER EMPLOYEE benefit
in this Culture.
5. Implement a 5% reduction of staff in KC.
6. I am tabling the promotions until I am convinced that the ones
being promoted are the solution, not the problem. If you are the
problem, pack you bags.
I think this parental type action SUCKS. However, what you are doing,
as managers, with this company makes me SICK. It makes sick to have to
write this directive.
I know I am painting with a broad brush and the majority of the KC
based associates are hard working, committed to Cerner success and
committed to transforming health care. I know the parking lot is not a
great measurement for ‘effort’. I know that ‘results’ is what counts,
not ‘effort’. But I am through with the debate.
We have a big vision. It will require a big effort. Too many in KC are
not making the effort.
I want to hear from you. If you think I am wrong with any of this,
please state your case. If you have some ideas on how to fix this
problem, let me hear those. I am very curious how you think we got
here. If you know team members who are the problem, let me know.
Please include (copy) Kynda in all of your replies.
I STRONGLY suggest that you call some 7AM, 6PM and Saturday AM team
meetings with the EMPLOYEES who work directly for you. Discuss this
serious issue with your team. I suggest that you call your first
meeting — tonight. Something is going to change.
I am giving you two weeks to fix this. My measurement will be the
parking lot: it should be substantially full at 7:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
The pizza man should show up at 7:30 PM to feed the starving teams
working late. The lot should be half full on Saturday mornings. We
have a lot of work to do. If you do not have enough to keep your teams
busy, let me know immediately.
Folks this is a management problem, not an EMPLOYEE problem.
Congratulations, you are management. You have the responsibility for
our EMPLOYEES. I will hold you accountable. You have allowed this to
get to this state. You have two weeks. Tick, tock
Neal …..
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Cerner Corporation www.cerner.com
2800 Rockcreek Parkway; Kansas City, Missouri 64117
“We Make Health Care Smarter”
Wow, just…wow.
Finally! We took a bit of a break seeing as how there was a holiday in the US and Canada. But Craig, Guillermo, Justin and Jason are back in Episode 11 discussing a bit of a hot button topic: Open Core Licensing. Essentially, a type of licensing which has made a lot of people rich in Open Source *cough* MySql *cough*.
Links used during this podcast can be found in del.icio.us:
In this podcast Craig, Jeff, Jason and Justin and Guillermo take on a range of topics from 
In this episode we have a special guest, 
Episode 6 marks the return of The Basement Coders Podcast! Craig Tataryn is back with all new co-hosts 
On