January 6, 2003

Cnet: Gateway plans to name new executives and introduce cost-saving measures in an attempt to hone its sales strategy.

What advice would you give to Ted Waitt CEO and Founder of Gateway?
Gateway-advice@smallbiztechnology.com

My spin: Gateway's a great company and it's sad that they're falling on hard times. Basically, there's only room in the marketplace for a few major players - Dell, IBM and HP. Toshiba is also a major tech player but it's got so many other things to sell other than just PCs. (Gateway selling peripherals is not going to cut it financially). So what can Gateway do? Personally, I think they need to either be bought by a much larger and/or financially sound company OR shrink. Ted might not like it, but Gateway is no IBM, or Dell or HP. It might have to humble itself and compete on a smaller scale, maybe a regional market, mabye a certain industry.

Gateway plans to name new executives and introduce cost-saving measures in an attempt to hone its sales strategy.

The PC maker is not planning layoffs, Brad Shaw, senior vice president of corporate communications, said Monday. However, the company will evaluate the performance of its retail outlets and "may elect to relocate or close some," he said.

Gateway would not comment on the positions that new executives may fill. But Shaw said executives likely will be added to direct the company's efforts in consumer electronics and its services businesses, among others.

"We're in the process of realigning our organization to bring better focus on accountability across our business segments, products and (sales) channels and adding operational expertise in key strategic areas," Shaw said. (full story)

What advice would you give to Ted Waitt CEO and Founder of Gateway?
Gateway-advice@smallbiztechnology.com

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