Missed this article in the Omaha World Herald

Hmm...

MIDLANDS (Omaha World-Herald)Netshops cuts about 50 jobs Omaha-based Netshops
Inc. reduced its work force by about 50 people last week, the result of
reorganizing at the rapidly growing Internet retail company, Chief Executive
Doug Nielsen said Tuesday. No further cuts are planned, he said. The company has
grown from a handful of employees to 400 in five years, Nielsen said, and some
realignment of operations was done. "We've gained some efficiencies." The
company operates 150 retail sites, having acquired 30 from a Minnesota company
in November. Nielsen said revenue grew to $115 million last year. — Virgil
Larson

"About 50 people" .... looks at print out I received ... I get a total of 61 people impacted by this recent round of layoffs.

"No further cuts are planned" - unless things work out like they did in 2006 and a group of people are let go again in August - after the important Father's Day and 4th of July holidays.

"We've gained some efficiencies." How? The way I remember things, there weren't enough people to do the work available before the layoff. How could there possibly be any efficiency gained by letting go of 61 people?

"revenue grew to $115 million last year" - so a layoff was needed why?

I can only speak for myself here, and my own experiences while employed at Netshops. I know my reviews were always above average, so if me being laid off was a result of a performance issue, I wasn't ever made aware of any issue.

I wonder if any of the other people were told why they were chosen for the layoff?

Lastly, I wonder what the people at Netshops North think about this? You know - the people working for the Thralow.net stores? Binoculars.com, Telescopes.com, Pans.com, etc. All those people have to wonder how long they'll continue to be employed. I know I'd be thinking about it if I were up there....

Here it is. My first blog.

Let's see....a nice Netshops green should work well for my blog. Almost makes it look...official.

Now, where to begin?

I guess we'll start at the end. That's probably the best place to start the tale.

Netshops laid off over 60 employees on February 1, 2007.

After a profitable holiday - one where the company was more profitable than ever according to Doug Nielsen (President and CEO) - more than 60 people lost their jobs. The message was clear. "Thanks for your contribution this holiday season. We'll be seeing you." No reason given - just "Here's your compensation package. There's the door."

Kind of takes some of the 'shine' off of that "One of Omaha's Best Places to Work in 2006" award now doesn't it? Tough to be one of the "Fastest Growing Companies" when you lay off almost a third of your work force. I don't think we'll be seeing the Netshops name on those award lists this year.

Oh, by the way, I was one of those let go. This is my story. As I tell the story, hopefully some of the other people let go in this lay off (and previous layoffs) will choos to comment on their experiences. Feel free to email me (laid_off_by_netshops@yahoo.com) as well if you have questions or comments.