Mgmt Memo

This document, a December 1982 issue of "Mgmt Memo," provides an update for Digital Equipment Corporation managers and supervisors regarding company strategy and developments. Key highlights include:

• Corporate Leadership: President Ken Olsen emphasizes the importance of hard work, quality products, and sustained growth as the company navigates the future.
• Networking Strategy: Digital asserts itself as a leader in "horizontal networking." The company differentiates its peer-to-peer networking approach from competitors' hierarchical models, focusing on compatibility across their range of computer systems.
• Personal Computer Market: Digital reports progress in entering the personal computer market, including the availability of key software and the implementation of user-friendly support. They outline a strategy involving direct sales, retail partnerships, and aggressive advertising campaigns.
• Corporate Communications: A new initiative is underway to raise public awareness of Digital Equipment Corporation, moving away from technical jargon toward simpler, more effective messaging to reach a broader audience through television and print media.
• Management Excellence: The memo highlights that Digital was recognized in the book In Search of Excellence as one of the best-managed companies, noting their commitment to simplicity, action, and quality.
• Company Values: Vice President Win Hindle reaffirms that while the company is streamlining procedures, its fundamental values—defining responsibilities, fulfilling customer commitments, maintaining competence, and fostering cooperation—remain unchanged as the company faces a more competitive business environment.