Cut the cutting

All too easy


"I believe so strongly in the advantages of the semantic web and what can be achieved with the technology. It provides an opportunity to do things differently, to give a company an edge in a time when an edge can make all the difference."

Sadly, despite racking my brain, I really can't remember a day in recent weeks where there hasn't been an announcement regarding job cuts. In the last couple of days, Lloyd's have been at it again, Harley Davidson, Jaguar and the list just goes on and on. If jobs aren't being axed, then employee benefits are, filling in as a suitable replacement and crippling any kind of reward or incentive a worker may of once had.

Of course, the downturn has hit almost everyone and a change to financial outgoings are essential to the majority of companies, but why does the only option seem to involve the one thing that can bring us out of recession, talented staff. The answer is, unfortunately, that it is the easy option in a time of panic. If the wind in a park becomes too strong, a child will instinctively let go of his kite. But what happens when the gust dies down and he wants to resume kiting again? Any parent will tell you, tears and tantrums follow.

There are other things that can be done to cut costs, and not only that, improve a business model. If a football team's losing at half time, the manager doesn't send the players home, he works on tactics and alters how the players approach the game. This is why I believe so strongly in the advantages of the semantic web and what can be achieved with the technology. It provides an opportunity to do things differently, to give a company an edge in a time when an edge can make all the difference.

I shouldn't think I'm the only one who believes that simply cutting jobs will solve the issue? After all, if all these jobs can be cut, what were all these people doing in the first place? A depleted, unmotivated workforce is not the answer, taking the initiative and thinking a bit outside the box, most certainly is.

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