IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Comment (24)
Who can resist a going-out-of-business sale? Apparently not Joe Sharron, director of recruiting for Équipe Communications Corp.
On hearing Wednesday that terabit routing vendor IronBridge Networks Inc. was closing its doors, Sharron grabbed the Équipe banner hanging over his desk, made a makeshift flag pole, attached it to his car, and drove directly to the IronBridge parking lot.
“It’s interesting,” he says. “As we pulled up in the parking lot, people were walking out with boxes. We offered to help them, and the next thing you know they invited us into the building. I think they were happy to see us, since it didn’t seem like [IronBridge] had made any sort of outplacement arrangements for people.”
IronBridge’s investors decided last weekend to pull the plug, and the firm notified employees on Monday afternoon that they would no longer have jobs (see IronBridge Has Fallen Down).
Sharron’s opportunism served him well, apparently. He claims to have met with about 90 employees -- and to have lined up 15 interviews for next week.
-- Marguerite Reardon, senior editor, Light Reading http://www.lightreading.com
On hearing Wednesday that terabit routing vendor IronBridge Networks Inc. was closing its doors, Sharron grabbed the Équipe banner hanging over his desk, made a makeshift flag pole, attached it to his car, and drove directly to the IronBridge parking lot.
“It’s interesting,” he says. “As we pulled up in the parking lot, people were walking out with boxes. We offered to help them, and the next thing you know they invited us into the building. I think they were happy to see us, since it didn’t seem like [IronBridge] had made any sort of outplacement arrangements for people.”
IronBridge’s investors decided last weekend to pull the plug, and the firm notified employees on Monday afternoon that they would no longer have jobs (see IronBridge Has Fallen Down).
Sharron’s opportunism served him well, apparently. He claims to have met with about 90 employees -- and to have lined up 15 interviews for next week.
-- Marguerite Reardon, senior editor, Light Reading http://www.lightreading.com
georges
12/4/2012 | 8:57:11 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
"We offered to help them and the next thing you know they invited us into the building." This is one of the nicest things I've seen reported in this industry. Instead of just passing out business cards or job applications, Joe Sharron actually offered to help people who probably could use a little assistance. And everybody came out a little bit ahead. The IronBridge employees got interviews and Joe got bigger biceps.
thebone
12/4/2012 | 8:57:05 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Agreed, a magnanimous jesture! Given the knee-jerk, and unfounded, reaction people have of labelling employees of failed companies as "losers", it's refreshing to see another local company, let alone a startup, take the time out of (what must be) brutal schedules and offer to help.
The fact that Equipe is getting employees out of this effort is the best part of this, for it's not just new employees for them, it's less unemployed on the street.
Well done!
ZhaZhaGaboor
12/4/2012 | 8:56:58 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Hi Steve:Everyone who reads this disgusting piece of internet toilet paper knows you guys have no objectivity, and that a monkey can write better than you and your group of nitwits.
But you guys are way-unobjective - don't you think that promoting the portfolio companies of Lightreading's backers (eg - VC backer Lightspeed Partners), and hurling shit at the portfolio companies of their competition, (like all the KP companies) is almost illegal? I would also ask the Lightspeed guys if this is the best way they can reduce the value of their competitors' start-ups?
Ughhh - would suck to be you when one of your kids asks "what do you do good for society daddy?"
reoptic
12/4/2012 | 8:56:56 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Going from a failed core router company to startup entering ATM switch market late, when it is declining. Go figure.
realdeal
12/4/2012 | 8:56:55 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Funny thing is I bet a couple of years ago you thought it would be foolish to go head to head with Cisco in the router market when so many had failed trying to do so.
Glad the guys at Juniper didn't get their education from the same place you got your GED.
People like you get off on failing without even trying.
reoptic
12/4/2012 | 8:56:54 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
The big difference is the Router market is growing tremendously, and the ATM market is shrinking. Plus there was only one big router competitor entrenched, and there are several major players in ATM. You don't need advanced degree to see starting company in ATM space now is much more dubious...
YvonneD
12/4/2012 | 8:56:52 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Zha Zha (sic--sp??)--After reading your letter, I'm still not exactly sure what you were complaining about. We get these types of letter every now and then--dyspetic malcontents droning on about how Light Reading is has constructed some elaborate "Yellow Journalism" conspiracy against them.
(Yawn.)
PushFiberDeep
12/4/2012 | 8:56:47 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
Well, well... doesn't Joe Sharron come out smelling like a rose here. There are honorable men and women in the recruiting industry that refused to kick the IB folks while they were down and did actualy offer outplacement assistance. Folks, it's easy to determine who are the honorable recruiters and who are the ones who see you as a $ sign.
wheels
12/4/2012 | 8:56:17 PM
re: IronBridge's Loss is Équipe's Gain
On the Ironbridge fall, I refused to let any of my staff to go to Ironbridge and pass out cards. The recruiting world should treat engineers like people not lunchmeat. They should remember they have children and homes and should be respected like you would want them to treat you.EdL
