[citation][nom]officeguy[/nom]Let me say this... you are not looking this at the right way. If the leadership is there then they shouldn't be laying off people (or very very few). It is the poor decisions that the top makes that makes layoffs happen. It is common practice now a days. In my opinion, there are very few true leader in the corp. world. I have very little faith in them. They also keep you in the dark until that day... "Hey by the way, pack your bags". I have seen many times, myself included and also people who had extensive knowledge in the products as well. I can almost bet that everyone can say they know of somebody that has been laid off. Can you tell I don't like Corp. American, lol. Not the company itself but the people!![/citation]
Companies do their best to budget for the next fiscal year. Often times, they are a bit too optimistic. Rarely are they too conservative in their budgets. If they make their mark, then all is good. When they don't, which happens more often than not... especially these days, then it is decision time. Most medium to large companies have quite a bit of fat (people on the payroll that really don't do much, or what they do is not vital to the continuing operation of the business) that can be trimmed. Better leadership isn't going to change the reality of that situation.
Finally, I would like to point something out that may be obvious to some, but which far too many people just don't seem to understand:
Companies do NOT exist to provide you with a job, and healthcare and whatever other benefits you feel you are entitled to; companies exist to make money for their owners... period, end-of-sentence, thank-you, goodbye.