At a briefing yesterday by Greg Winn, one of Telstra’s new “three
Amigos,” Greg introduced himself to the leadership teams in his new
domain. First Greg said how happy he was to be here and how he really
liked us Ossies. Along the way Greg, who prides himself in being a
straight shooter, gave a list of the many things in store for the long
suffering, continually restructured Telstra staff.

Greg, who also mentioned that as much as he likes us Ossies he won’t be
living here, said that he was here to do a job then would ride off into
his American sunset. He also mentioned that there are a lot of people
in Telstra doing good things. Some of the things in store include:

  • 14,000 non-customer facing jobs up for heavy scrutiny…presumably also facing redundancy.
  • 6 Sigma is gone, and “if you like it that much go write a book.”
  • Telstra Technology Labs will probably go. Greg’s ideas about testing
    mean ringing Sol and presumably his missus and asking can they hear him
    OK.
  • Telstra CIOs to go.
  • He doesn’t like power point presentations (who does) and wants to see real numbers not just the page numbers.
  • Greg also mentioned that he doesn’t subscribe to the old adage that
    you can lead a horse to water but can’t make him drink. Greg’s view and
    I quote is that you “shove his head in the water and hold him there.”