Do I Still Have a Job?
This is Bill Macgowan.
Bill is Sun's Chief Human Resources Officer.
Which means he works with me to build and cultivate talent at Sun.
He's bright, well spoken, and usually exercises good judgement.
Usually.
But today, he perpetrated a prank. On me. An April Fool's Day prank.
Executed early enough to turn into a video for the enjoyment of Sun's employees on Tuesday (April Fool's Day). And if I have the courage to publicly display my gullibility, it'll be here, on this blog, in front of a global audience.
The prank, like any good Silicon Valley practical joke, involved a venture capitalist, a drooling visitor, a bib and lamb chops.
Owing to the graciousness with which my parents raised me, I suffered through the prank. Without staring. Focused on the business at hand.
Having no idea it was a prank.
Until all the camera men appeared. At which point I picked up on the notion something wasn't quite right. I had been spoofed.
Upon my humbling return from lunch, Bill caught me in the hallway. He asked, with his ill-gotten video in hand, "so do I still have a job?"
And I have until Tuesday to think up a creative response.
Remember, my office mate is the CFO, and the General Counsel writes a blog. Surely there's an opportunity for clever repartee.
Surely :)
Posted on 07:00PM Mar 28, 2008 | Comments[31]
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Now I like that one. One more thing it shows the open work culture at sun.
Posted by Balaje Sankar on March 28, 2008 at 10:46 PM PDT #
Tradition! Next year, your car will be in some kind of water...
Posted by Sin-Yaw Wang on March 29, 2008 at 02:28 AM PDT #
So where's the video Jimbo?
Posted by AJ on March 29, 2008 at 07:06 AM PDT #
The video will probably go up on April Fool's Day - when the rest of Sun gets to see it.
Posted by Anonymous on March 29, 2008 at 08:31 AM PDT #
I'm really looking forward to watch the video!
Without even knowing anybody of Sun I take this as a good sign for a good corporate culture :-)
Posted by Frank Hamm on March 29, 2008 at 09:37 AM PDT #
It's good that upper management shows som signs of anti stiffness and anti-perfectionism some times. Planning my phrank now for next week.
Posted by Michael on March 30, 2008 at 01:55 AM PDT #
As a Sun employee, I find this annual 'event' childish and embarrassing. When *any* of the thousands of share options you've given me as a 'bonus' over the past eight years are worth a single cent, *then* you guys who are raking it in can think about messing about in public with your buddy-buddies.
Posted by 78.16.165.211 on March 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM PDT #
When I joined Sun, one of the stated values (along with customer first, respect for the individual, financial success, etc.) was FUN. April Fool's prankery at Sun is a part of the culture. Scott McNealy's favorite phrase was "kick butt and have fun". I don't think Bill has anything to worry about, except perhaps revenge on a future 4/1!
Posted by Sun historian on March 30, 2008 at 11:45 AM PDT #
Long live Sun April Fools Day pranks!
And in the spirit of tradition, bring back Donut Day!!!
Posted by kp on March 30, 2008 at 07:44 PM PDT #
That.... is awesome!
Posted by Jeremy Russell on March 30, 2008 at 08:17 PM PDT #
Presumably "78.16.165.211" would have us all sit around moping until he or she is rich. Good to see capitalism alive and kicking.
How much does it cost to video someone anyway? Not a lot.
I'm just glad to have a job at Sun.. there's plenty of people who don't any more, let alone still have their share options.
Posted by Justin on March 31, 2008 at 02:26 AM PDT #
lighten up.
Posted by hey 78.16.165.211 on March 31, 2008 at 02:57 AM PDT #
It's good to see practical people at Sun. We need *less* 78.16.165.211's
Posted by Good To See on March 31, 2008 at 09:46 AM PDT #
Just reading your blog made me giggle in anticipation; can't WAIT to see the video. THANKS for keeping the fun in Sun, reminding us that not everything is doom and gloom, and for being personally secure enough to share your prank with us.
Posted by SB on March 31, 2008 at 10:40 AM PDT #
We want the video please!
Posted by Mark Kerzner on March 31, 2008 at 11:31 AM PDT #
I miss the days of the elaborate April Fool's Day pranks:
http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/april-fool-pranks-in-sun-microsystems-over-the-years/
This is a tremendously creative, fun outlet for Sun execs who work hard. (Especially Scooter, who did some of the best pranks of all.) I don't consider it immature or derailing revenue. If anything, it demonstrates a corporate culture that can be humbled from time to time. If this occured more often, then yeah, I'd be worried about derailed revenue. ;) But it doesn't.
I'm waiting for Jonathan to issue the April 1st press release, stating the ponytail has been sheared off.
Posted by Myna Byrd on March 31, 2008 at 11:32 AM PDT #
Wow 78.16.165.211... Lighten up is an understatement. With all the turmoil that we've seen at Sun the last few years, I wouldn't want to be here if it wasn't for FUN! It's not all about money. Don't be so self absorbed.
Posted by re: 78.16.165.211 on March 31, 2008 at 11:53 AM PDT #
so are you saying you were Punk'd a la Ashton Kutcher? Is this gonna be on YouTube?
Posted by Brandon Carson on March 31, 2008 at 01:04 PM PDT #
Look, I agree with everyone's comment for '.211 to lighten' up - but I think your approach is narrow-minded as well. I am glad there are fun trads at sun, and applaud this one, too. But .211's concern and frustration is a real one, and one that is shared by a large number of sun employees. the answer would be to address both for once, not have a 'fun' versus' serious' argument. I fail to see how some of you think it's positive development that his/her shares/options are underwater, sun has lost a large amount of their employees and fail to see how it's a self-absorbed comment. Misplaced, maybe......
Posted by NOT 78.16.165.211 on March 31, 2008 at 01:08 PM PDT #
NOT AN APRIL FOOLS DAY JOKE:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080331/ibm_contract_ban.html
IBM Hit With Temporary Contract Ban
Monday March 31, 9:19 pm ET
US Attorneys Probe IBM-EPA Interaction; Company Temporarily Banned From New Federal Contracts
"Last year IBM's contracts amounted to at least $1.3 billion, roughly 1 percent of its 2007 revenue."
So, Jonathan, I hope you pursue these new opportunities at the EPA with full gusto... after you unleash your April 1st response. :)
Posted by Sun Shareholder on April 01, 2008 at 12:39 AM PDT #
As a somewhat newbee (via acquisition)to Sun, I find this yet another great display of the tremendous culture that is unique to Sun. I bet you wouldn't ever see this level of "open" leadership from HP, IBM, or EMC. Thanks for the laugh and keep it going.
Posted by Randy Seidl on April 01, 2008 at 06:21 AM PDT #
Its magical to be in such a workplace. How about sharing the Video
Posted by Prasanth Nair on April 01, 2008 at 06:56 AM PDT #
That was great... now, about that video?
Posted by Todd Patrick on April 01, 2008 at 08:52 AM PDT #
That was great... oh, and 78.16.165.211, please find some humor in this.
Posted by Todd Patrick on April 01, 2008 at 08:53 AM PDT #
The video was posted internally -- it's pretty funny to watch Jonathan maintaining his composure
Posted by Fritz on April 01, 2008 at 12:03 PM PDT #
Oh, now I get it. Duh! This blog entry itself was the April fools prank. There is no video, right? and Jonathan's comment...
"And if I have the courage to publicly display my gullibility, it'll be here, on this blog, in front of a global audience."
was just designed to keep us all in suspense and anxiously waiting to see just how gullible the CEO of a big tech company like Sun can be. Go on, admit it, this is a prank, right?
Posted by Vic on April 01, 2008 at 12:41 PM PDT #
YouTube
Posted by It's on YouTube on April 01, 2008 at 03:13 PM PDT #
The correct response is, "Yes, you still have a job. Just not the same job. You are now a quota-bearing sales rep for our new Amish GEM. Good luck."
Posted by Jeff Bonwick on April 02, 2008 at 02:03 AM PDT #
Hey ,I am really looking for the video ,from where i can get it , youtube ? :)
Posted by Tijomon on April 02, 2008 at 08:52 PM PDT #
It is taking me some time to understand how this free source thing works. Like Google do you get paid by the advertisements, which is a simple economic thing. I have just started reading these posts and the one about the supercomputer is simply wow. Apart from the economic perspective there is a very different revolution happening , which will forever change the world. This is enabled by IT but is at most human level. There are support systems being woven across the net. There is a never-before understanding among the people from across the continets and the steriotypes are fast dissolving. For some it can make a difference of life and death. True the potential is formidable, as I see hungry children tugging sleeves for food, this seems like the solution. Empowering poorest of the poor with this economy that consumes little but the output is massive. The green supercomputer thing and specially the was the vast untouched potential of e-learning. Just like the fertilisers boosted the agricultured economy. This medium can empower the entire population if the infrastructure is in place and the philosophy remains of sharing not monopolising. I relate this gradual build up to a utopia like existence. The very basic idea is positive and the ripple effect might create a positive culture. Blessings and amen to this wish. Where do I understanding the working of a freesouce base. I mean how does it sustain itself?
Regards
Rina
Posted by Rina Tripathi on April 14, 2008 at 03:42 AM PDT #
Amusing , these blog.
Posted by Artur on April 16, 2008 at 06:18 AM PDT #