Thread regarding SAS Institute layoffs

@1geg+1w5dkFsG

If we're thinking of the same person, that person taught me that the "Free Brittany" movement was a bad idea. Some people need a Conservatorship to protect them from their stupidity. They can't run a hot dog stand, but they're fine with squandering somebody else's (daddy's?) resources and laying out a trail of eggshells to walk on.

I bet they were even promoted from there into a special role, just to reduce the damage they did!

Unlike most SAS products, JMP sales are growing. It’s not a “pet” project; it’s a profit center.

"I’ve learned, repeatedly ad naseum, that the Art department is safe."

All pet areas are safe so JMP definitely also makes the safe list.

I’ve learned, repeatedly ad naseum, that the Art department is safe.

I was with SAS for a long time, and really built my career when SAS not only was the software leader in statistical analysis, but also a magnet for talented statisticians. Then it went downhill after two buy out to get rid of the most experienced and knowledgeable people. The new management came in as nothing but destruction force. People left like avoiding the hurricane. Instead of thinking about software development, I ended up getting stressed out by the incompetent manager who caused tremendous stress. So I left as well. I can't be happier at my new job! My lesson learned is to jump the sinking ship when you can. SAS had a good run, but it's on its death bed now with cancer growing inside everywhere.

In my early years at SAS, I learned what a software company should be. Our product was great, our company was small, everybody knew everybody, and we all pulled together. It truly was a Great Place to Work.

In later years, I was surprised to learn how abusive management can be. I never saw that in the early years — nor at the half dozen other companies where I worked. This level of toxicity is not normal. I suppose it gets worse as the money gets tighter.

Because of his manager, one of my friends needed a psychologist. Others left the company. I learned on this site that my mix of excellent and horrible managers had caused trauma bonding, and that greatly helped me to process what happened.


Like @1qwz+1w5dkFsG, I saw the explosive growth of data, the rising tide that lifted all boats except ours. Like @ovi+1w5dkFsG, one of those rising boats became my life raft 😊. I left SAS in sadness, for our missed opportunities, but grateful to end my career on a positive note.

I’ve learned the value of community, and decades-long friendships. At its best, this site is part of that community, a setting where we can all help each other, and I sure wish you all well.

I learned that it really is important to hire the right people in key leadership positions.

Things can change fast and failing to recognize those changes and knowing how to react to them can result in a company's fortunes quickly changing.

I watched SAS go from a leader that appeared on the cusp of having revenues skyrocket as the era of Big Data was ushered in, to a stagnant has-been. Very sad to see as I think Dr. Goodnight really did try to provide an exceptional work/life experience.

I learned that enough was enough. I moved on and haven’t been happier for years.
Our department got a new director and she was afraid of everything and in awe of her managers and ruined decades of working relationships.

I was fortunate to start working at SAS decades ago. Came in with a fairly unique skill set for the time and I was able to grow it throughout the development of MVA. As the 90s wore on, I was able to gather new skills through challenging assignments, making the most of my projects and disciplined study outside of work. During that time, I enjoyed a welcome career Renaissance.

Enter 2000’s: SAS R&D became more politically. Spent years feeling “trapped in midlife“, unable to move internally due to the sheer depth and weight of my accumulated technical skill set and very specialized expertise on a key component of our products. However, because I continued to learn new things on my own, while delivering good SAS work, that grind ultimately did set me up for a big late career opportunity.

Anyone can look at the negative side of things, but in balance SAS me and hundreds of other loyal long-timers employed for 25 to 40 years, with several years of decent raises/bonus, infrequent, yet meaningful promotions and an opportunity to apply what we continued to learn on our own time/dime.

Given my own humble origin circumstances, I’m incredibly grateful to have worked decades in a company that at least was once world class. Given overall market conditions, the state of global technology, SAS private ownership, age of the founders and the SAS management structure, those times have passed. I’m still some grateful to have been part of them!

1. I learned to keep my thoughts to myself. Most do not care to hear them.
2. Even if asked a question, think carefully about how you will answer it. Because most of the time, the person asking the question wants validation more than your honesty.

This applies to life at SAS as well as outside of SAS.

I hope not.

Did you just ask everyone to regurgitate the same stuff that has already been said over and over ad naseum?

I will, later.

You stated you'd like to share what you learned, but then didn't share.