Zollar says no restructuring news forthcoming

In what qualifies as an odd twist, Lotus Development Corp. Chief Executive Officer and President Al Zollar opened the first news conference of the Lotusphere user show Monday with a non-announcement.

          In what qualifies as an odd twist, Lotus Development Corp. Chief Executive Officer and President Al Zollar opened the first news conference of the Lotusphere user show Monday with a non-announcement. He said there wouldn't be any announcement made here this week about the company's restructuring, adding he wasn't sure where the information originated that suggested an reorganization was in the offing. Then, Zollar hurriedly left the room, taking no questions.

          Zollar is due to face the media again Tuesday afternoon -- and is expected to field questions. On Jan. 5, Lotus Vice President for Worldwide Public Relations Mary Rose Greenough both confirmed the restructuring and said "Al (Zollar) will address this issue, I'm sure," at Lotusphere.

          Greenough added that the issue would be "topic number one" at Tuesday's session with reporters and industry analysts. Apparently, that was news to Zollar, who seemed to indicate that the restructuring won't be anywhere near the top of the list of items up for discussion on Tuesday. Indeed, it might not be on Zollar's list at all.

          "There's really no more announcement, per se, on that subject," Zollar said Monday before leaving the news conference.

          What seems to be known is that the company is restructuring because of "evolving market needs" and to "enhance performance." Greenough insisted on Jan. 5 that the Lotus brand will remain intact and that the company would provide its own marketing and support. Officials here appear to be taking great pains to emphasize that scenario as well.

          Zollar told the Boston Globe newspaper that he wouldn't rule out the possibility of layoffs as part of the restructuring, which is said to be a major exercise, though officials here also seem intent on discounting the reorganization, keeping focus instead on product announcements.

          The user conference continues here through Thursday.

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