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Open Sources | Rodrigues & Urlocker » Novell dissolves its Linux Impact Team

March 30, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Novell dissolves its Linux Impact Team

Novell this week dissolved its Linux Impact Team (LIT), headed by Nancy Faigen, and rolled the members of LIT into the regional sales teams. While disruptive to the individuals involved (and the LIT had some of Novell's very best employees - John Vigeant before he went to XenSource, Seth Shaw (not sure where he landed), Walter Knapp, etc.), I think this is a good move for Novell. It's time to stop treating Linux as a distinct part of the company's business, and make it the company's business. Everyone in the company's business.

This has been the case since SUSE was acquired, of course, but having a distinct team to focus on Linux almost gave others an excuse to focus on it a little less. A psychological thing, perhaps, but very real in my opinion.

At any rate, I think it's a good move on Novell's part. I'm sure there will be members of LIT who won't like it, but this is in the company's best interest.

Posted by Matt Asay on March 30, 2007 10:15 AM


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As a customer, I'm sure going to miss working with some of the most talented technical resources Novell ever had since none of them will be assigned to my geography.

I'm wondering if they're available for hire. I, for one, would hire them immediately.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 30, 2007 01:31 PM

Yes feel free to offer them a job. Just pick up the phone and call. I'm sure you'll get a positive response.

Posted by: anonymous at March 30, 2007 02:46 PM

You will most certainly get a positive response...

Posted by: Linux at March 30, 2007 05:05 PM

Please hire me...I do not want to go to the regions and sell identity

Posted by: Anony at March 30, 2007 09:03 PM

I have had the chance to work with a couple of people from the team and been very impressed. I created a web site for them at http://www.ex-lit.org/. It lists the people I know who were on the team. Any of them would be great to hire!

If any of them are reading this, use the form on the site to send me your information! I'll post it on the site for others to find you.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 1, 2007 07:44 AM

Sorry...most on LIT were and continue to be useless. They cannot sell...think they are too good for the company and SUCK in front of customers. LIT had NO IMPACT.

Posted by: Novell at April 2, 2007 06:10 AM

I would like to ask the last poster who signed as Novell a couple of questions and provide some comments:

1. Are you speaking on behalf of Novell Inc. since you signed the posting as such? Is this statement the official view of Novell towards the LIT?

2. Would you provide a basis for your statement? Some examples that justify it.

The LIT handled all high-profile accounts and led most of them to successful licensing agreements. The LIT was also able to cross the divide between sales, marketing, and the product business units. Their advice and recommendations affected the development of the product and enabled key customers to have their say. On that basis alone, I would say that the LIT had an impact.

Posted by: LIT_NOVL at April 2, 2007 08:14 AM

Mr. "Novell" - it really shows your professionalism.

Let me guess, you are the "king of mailing lists"? the kind that replies to mailing lists from his PDA

Posted by: Anonymous at April 2, 2007 02:03 PM

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