03-02-2009, 02:00 AM
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Moderator
Headphoneus Supremus:
President, treasurer, secretary and sole member of the Cayman Islands Head-Fi Club.
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cayman Islands mostly (and wherever the big rig wanders in the US)
Posts: 11,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by immtbiker
Sort of like Bob and Bob on "Office Space"?
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I was actually going to say that! Except it was just me, and I didn't have to stick around to deliver the news or even hear back in terms of what they had decided to do. Just show up, observe, ask questions, learn the ins and outs of their systems relative to what was expected by the group, consult with mid and upper management, and write a report with recommendations. It was a beautiful thing, in that I wasn't ever held accountable since I had no authority whatsoever in terms of implementation.
The only thing that sucked about it (big time) was that the Cayman office billed the other offices for "their" services (although it was always just me), and I'd either see it or not see it at bonus time. When I didn't see enough, I left. Nice. You get to be universally hated throughout the group, and yet are still not properly rewarded for putting a target on your back. It's funny, because when you're put in this position, you start to feel pretty smart. At least until you have a chance to stand back and think carefully about what just happened! Then you feel used because they got what they wanted and didn't have to pay for it other than via internal transfers, which is just paper shuffling.
But I'm sure Tyll's guy was smart enough to get paid properly for his services.
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03-02-2009, 02:35 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
∙ 1/2 hamster, 1/2 Turkish
∙ Blueteething
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cage
Posts: 19,999
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03-02-2009, 01:00 PM
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Garmentus Vulgaris & Headphoneus Supremus Premier Sponsor HeadRoom
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Posts: 2,948
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Eventually the report comes back:
The Good:
- HeadRoom has an amazingly strong position in its market.
- All payables, customer refunds, bank loans are current.
- Website traffic is stellar.
- Product is excellent and doesn't come back broke.
The Bad
- Payroll is too big.
- Manufacturing isn't efficient enough.
- Too much inventory, not enough cash in the bank.
- Not enough growth into broader markets
The Ugly
- Sales are 30% down, without much hope for an upturn.
- The company is far from sustainable with those numbers.
The good part about being the boss is you get to take credit for the successes, the bad part is you also get the credit for the failings.
...sigh...
So let's talk for a second: I'm pretty good at the marketing and product developement stuff. I've got a good head for people and how theey think, and I've got good, broad technical chops so I knoe what will work and what's possible to develop at a given level of resource availability. But I don't really know diddly when it comes to contribution margins, debt to equity ratios, and pinching pennies. When someone knows what to look for, in a company, my skills---and lack thereof---are apparent.
...sigh...
All that bad stuff really wasn't that bad though. For example the first 6 months of 2007 we made 3% net profit. We worked very hard on internal efficiencies and the first six months of 2008 we made 6% profit, which is decent, but then there's that ugly stuff.
By the time we got to the end of 2008 any moneys made in the first half was gone by years end. I don't have to tell you bad the economy is at the moment, the situation was as serious as it gets with a company before a complete implosion into bankruptcy, liquidation, or just death.
Time for a board meeting and some tough decisions.
.... sigh ....
Wonder what's going to happen? Here at HeadRoom we all wondered what's going to happen.
__________________
Cheers!
Tyll (Like on the floor, only spelled different.)
I just blogged all over my keyboard.
Last edited by Tyll Hertsens; 03-02-2009 at 01:02 PM.
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03-02-2009, 01:06 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Georgia Mountains, (look at my avatar, hehe)
Posts: 552
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Our hopes and Prayers are with Headroom and all companies going through this, hang in there.
Kevin
__________________
kevin
Main Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Musical Paradise MP-301 (myriad of tubes). Source: HD-DVD player. Interconnects: 1.5 foot DiMarzio.
Office Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Amphora (Black Walnut, #44/100). Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO 1 foot SXC LOD.
Portable Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Meier 2Move. Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO Bling Bling LOD.
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03-02-2009, 01:28 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 3,692
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I take it the title is ironic, not literal?
regardless, best of luck
__________________
So Gone.
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03-02-2009, 01:43 PM
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Garmentus Vulgaris & Headphoneus Supremus Premier Sponsor HeadRoom
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Posts: 2,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich
I take it the title is ironic, not literal?
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I won't spill the beans yet, but have you ever heard the joke about the little boy shoveling the giant pile of manure in the barn?
He says, "With all this poop, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere."
The question is: did we find a pony?
__________________
Cheers!
Tyll (Like on the floor, only spelled different.)
I just blogged all over my keyboard.
Last edited by Tyll Hertsens; 03-02-2009 at 01:58 PM.
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03-02-2009, 01:45 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 225
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Wow, sorry to hear this. Let's hope it turns out in something good for everyone.
Thanks for sharing this. In my opinion that's one of the (many)things I like about Headroom, your sincerity.
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03-02-2009, 01:48 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,375
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Interesting thread, as this very possibility had popped amongst so VERY knowledgeable folks at a meet back in January, thinking the Senn and Grado products might buy another year for several entities in similar straits.
My former company ( a small, specialized global software company) had 275 employees in June of 2007, and has about 40 today. They have spectacularly bad management, with investors that may just have bigger fish to fry (yes, based in NY), but a really spectacular implosion which is sadly all too common these days.
Best of luck, especially to the 'costs' who will be affected by the transition. 
__________________
Starters: Ayon CD-1 -> ApureSound Balanced IC -> eXStatA Hybrid -> (Stax reterminated) HE60
Bench: HD800, Raven
Builds: SDS Labs, m³, Millett Hybrid, m³, Blue Hawaii, Millett Maximus Balanced , SOHAII, Balanced Bijou, Raven, eXStatA,
eXStatA Tube, Vulcan
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03-02-2009, 02:02 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Georgia Mountains, (look at my avatar, hehe)
Posts: 552
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I hope its a metal extruded, rubber bumper pony! With op-amps, tubes, switches, and "Headroom ...... ..........." stamped on it somewhere!
Kevin
__________________
kevin
Main Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Musical Paradise MP-301 (myriad of tubes). Source: HD-DVD player. Interconnects: 1.5 foot DiMarzio.
Office Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Amphora (Black Walnut, #44/100). Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO 1 foot SXC LOD.
Portable Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Meier 2Move. Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO Bling Bling LOD.
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03-02-2009, 03:13 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 3,692
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what does "metal extruded, rubber bumper pony" mean? (also, thats hard to say outloud)
__________________
So Gone.
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03-02-2009, 03:23 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Georgia Mountains, (look at my avatar, hehe)
Posts: 552
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Amp, maybe!
Kevin
__________________
kevin
Main Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Musical Paradise MP-301 (myriad of tubes). Source: HD-DVD player. Interconnects: 1.5 foot DiMarzio.
Office Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Amphora (Black Walnut, #44/100). Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO 1 foot SXC LOD.
Portable Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Meier 2Move. Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO Bling Bling LOD.
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03-02-2009, 03:31 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 682
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03-02-2009, 03:32 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North Georgia Mountains, (look at my avatar, hehe)
Posts: 552
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Well, I have just finished my 167th cup of coffee and I can no longer feel my bum. I also may have had three heart attacks from the caffeine overdose! "WHAT IS GOING ON UP IN HERE!!!"
Kevin
__________________
kevin
Main Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Musical Paradise MP-301 (myriad of tubes). Source: HD-DVD player. Interconnects: 1.5 foot DiMarzio.
Office Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Amphora (Black Walnut, #44/100). Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO 1 foot SXC LOD.
Portable Rig - Headphones: Grado SR80 (highly modded) or AT-A700. Amp: Meier 2Move. Source: iPod. Interconnects: ALO Bling Bling LOD.
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03-02-2009, 03:44 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 550
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__________________
Headphones: SR-007 Ω2, ESW9A, HF-2, K701
Source: Buffalo Sabre DAC
Amplification: SRM-717
Incoming: JH13, TF10
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03-02-2009, 03:47 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 619
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Hopefully that pony lays golden eggs. Wait.. er... nm. Seriously though, we all hope the best for ya man!
__________________
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Phones: JVC DX1000(sold), Sennheiser HD800, Grado RS-2, Grado SR-80, AT ATH-AD900, Sennheiser PC350, Sennheiser IE8. Sennheiser HD650 with Cardas cable (sold)Senn HD600 w/ SAA Equinox
Amps: Woo Audio 3 Rolled, Grado RA-1 (sold) PA2V2, Headroom Total Airhead, Rotel RB-1080, RSA Hornet M, X-can V3(sold) Gilmore Lite(sold).
Sources: Rotel RCD-1072, Denon DVD3910, Ipod 60GB 3G.
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