Brandsit

Tag: Career

  • Layoffs at Big Tech 2026 – why the Meta and Microsoft are cutting jobs

    Layoffs at Big Tech 2026 – why the Meta and Microsoft are cutting jobs

    Silicon Valley is going through a painful but precise tissue replacement operation. While investors are reacting enthusiastically to new stock market records, thousands of Met and Microsoft employees are finding out that their roles are becoming redundant in the new algorithm-oriented world order. What we are seeing is no longer just an echo of the Pocovid correction, but a fundamental shift in strategic priorities.

    The Met has just announced a 10 per cent reduction in its workforce, which, combined with the elimination of unfilled vacancies, means the removal of nearly 14,000 jobs from the labour market. However, a deeper financial analysis of Mark Zuckerberg’s company reveals a second bottom to this decision. The company plans to increase capital expenditure to as much as $135 billion in 2027, focusing on building data centres and developing Superintelligence Labs.

    This is a classic example of aggressive reallocation of resources: billions saved on the ‘traditional’ workforce are funding an artificial intelligence arms race. Behind the scenes, however, there is talk of the phenomenon of “AI-washing” – conveniently attributing redundancies to technological advances to cover up the 2020-2022 recruitment mistakes.

    Microsoft in Redmond, on the other hand, is employing a more subtle but equally telling tactic. For the first time in its history, the giant has opted for a voluntary departure programme targeting around 7% of its US workforce. The ‘sum 70’ criterion (combining age and seniority) suggests that the company wants to slim down the structure of costly, experienced managers whose competencies may not be suited to the era of generative models. At the same time, Microsoft is simplifying the reward and bonus system, giving executives more leeway to reward the talent that realistically drives new business divisions.

    This trend is not isolated – Amazon, Intel or Cisco are following a similar path. There is a clear lesson for the business world: operational efficiency in 2026 is no longer about having the largest teams, but about building the most scalable systems. The technology labour market is no longer a safe haven, becoming a testing ground for a new definition of corporate productivity.

  • AMD is betting on the channel. Chrissie Harrison to lead EMEA component sales

    AMD is betting on the channel. Chrissie Harrison to lead EMEA component sales

    AMD has announced the appointment of Chrissie Harrison as director of component channel sales for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Harrison brings more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the semiconductor sector, which is key to AMD’s continued expansion into the gaming, artificial intelligence and business computing hardware markets.

    In her statement, Harrison emphasised: “I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this position represents and look forward to continuing AMD’s excellent collaboration with partners in the channel and across the ecosystem.”

    AMD – channel development still a priority

    This strategic move is part of AMD’s wider initiative to strengthen its sales structures in EMEA. In February 2025, the company appointed James Blackman as commercial sales manager for Value Added Resellers (VARs) and system integrators. Blackman, with more than 30 years’ experience, including 13 years at AMD, previously led HP systems sales in EMEA.

    These personnel changes underline AMD’s commitment to developing and strengthening relationships with channel partners in EMEA. In the face of increasing competition in the processor and graphics card market, effective sales channel management is becoming critical to the company’s continued success. Harrison’s and Blackman’s experience and expertise are aimed not only at increasing AMD ‘s market share, but also at introducing innovative solutions to meet the rapidly changing needs of customers.

  • Piotr Baca promoted to Managing Director CEE at Brother

    Piotr Baca promoted to Managing Director CEE at Brother

    At the beginning of April, Brother is reorganising its management structure in the CEE region. Piotr Baca, previously Country Manager for Poland and Ukraine, takes on the newly created role of Managing Director CEE. The new role of Country Manager for both markets is being taken over by Krzysztof Mertowski, announced Piotr Baca on LinkedIn.

    Baca’s promotion is the culmination of his 20-year career within Brother’s structures. For the past years, he has been responsible for business development in Poland and, from 2023, also in Ukraine. In his new role, he is to coordinate operational and strategic activities across a broader geographic footprint that includes the company’s key markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

    Shifting emphasis

    Increasing operational complexity, changing distribution models and the need for greater flexibility in responding to local challenges are prompting companies to redefine their management structures.

    CEE is a region with great potential, but also diverse market dynamics. Poland remains one of Brother’s strongest sales links in Europe, while Ukraine – despite the war – still maintains a functioning sales channel and business customers continue to invest in certain hardware categories, especially mobile printing and scanning solutions.

    Two decades in a market that has transformed itself

    Baca started working at Brother Polska in 2005 as a sales representative. Since then, he has progressed through all levels of sales and partner channel management. As Country Manager, he was responsible for the strategy and results of the Polish branch for 15 years.

    Despite the change in position, Brother’s direction in the region remains unchanged. The company is maintaining its course towards supporting the partner channel, investing in the development of its SME offering and developing managed print services (MPS). Mobile and hybrid equipment usage scenarios are also growing in importance, forcing an adaptation of both the product offering and support model.

    The new Managing Director also faces the challenge of effectively managing a dispersed team and ensuring strategic consistency across countries with different levels of market maturity and economic contexts.

  • Allegro with a new CEO. Marcin Kuśmierz takes over the reins from May

    Allegro with a new CEO. Marcin Kuśmierz takes over the reins from May

    Allegro has announced the appointment of Marcin Kuśmierz as CEO. Kuśmierz, a manager with more than 25 years of experience in the technology sector, will take over as CEO of Allegro Ltd. 5 May 2025, and will then head Allegro.eu following the shareholders’ meeting in June. The existing CEO, Roy Perticucci, will move into the position of special advisor to Allegro Group to ensure a smooth handover.

    Marcin Kuśmierz’s professional career includes key roles at companies such as home.pl and Shoper. At home.pl, as CEO, he contributed to the company’s leadership in Central and Eastern Europe in hosting and business applications. Subsequently, as CEO of Shoper, he led the company’s IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and significantly increased its presence in the region’s e-commerce market.

    Kuśmierz’s appointment as CEO of Allegro signals a continuation of the company’s growth strategy, with a focus on innovation and strengthening its position in the CEE e-commerce market. His experience in managing technology companies and his knowledge of the market can contribute to Allegro’s further growth and expansion into new markets.