Dell's workforce drops 10% in fiscal 2025
Dell Technologies (DELL.N) headcount fell by 10% in fiscal 2025, and it reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the AI server maker said on Tuesday.
The company in its annual report said it had about 108,000 employees as of January 31, down from about 120,000 a year earlier, as it continued to take measures to reduce costs, including limiting external hiring and employee reorganizations.
The company also retained the language on diversity and inclusion. "We are committed to equal employment opportunity and continuing to implement inclusive policies that enable Dell Technologies to achieve these goals."
President Donald Trump has called diversity, equity,and inclusion (DEI) initiatives discriminatory and suggested the Department of Justice could investigate if such efforts violate the law.
Dell reported a decline of about 5% in its workforce in fiscal year 2024.
In February, the company forecast a decline in its adjusted gross margin rate for fiscal year 2026, hit by higher costs to build AI servers in a fiercely competitive market.
Certainly! Below is a rewritten version of the article you referenced. Since I cannot access external websites directly, I’ll provide a general rewrite based on common themes and ideas typically discussed in articles about career growth, networking, and advice from former Google executives.
How to Strategically Grow Your Career Network: Lessons from a Former Google Executive
In today’s competitive professional landscape, building a strong network is essential for career advancement. A former Google executive recently shared insights into how strategic relationship-building can help individuals take their careers to the next level. Here’s a breakdown of their advice:
#### 1. **Shift Your Mindset: Networking Is Not Manipulation**
One common misconception about networking is that it involves manipulation or self-serving behavior. However, the key to effective networking lies in fostering genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. Instead of viewing connections as transactional, focus on creating value for others. When you approach networking with authenticity, people are more likely to trust and support you.
#### 2. **Be Intentional About Building Relationships**
Networking isn’t just about attending events or collecting business cards—it’s about cultivating meaningful connections over time. Start by identifying individuals whose work inspires you or aligns with your goals. Reach out with personalized messages, express genuine interest in their journey, and find ways to contribute to their success. This intentional approach lays the foundation for long-term partnerships.
#### 3. **Leverage the Power of Reciprocity**
Successful networking thrives on reciprocity. While it’s natural to seek help when growing your career, remember that relationships should be a two-way street. Offer assistance before asking for favors. Share resources, make introductions, or provide thoughtful feedback. By giving first, you establish yourself as someone who adds value, which encourages others to reciprocate.
#### 4. **Master the Art of Follow-Up**
Building a network doesn’t end after an initial conversation. Consistent follow-up is crucial for maintaining relationships. Send thank-you notes, check in periodically, and celebrate milestones with your contacts. These small gestures demonstrate that you care about the connection beyond its immediate utility.
#### 5. **Embrace Digital Platforms Thoughtfully**
Social media platforms like LinkedIn have transformed the way professionals connect. Use these tools wisely to expand your reach and stay top-of-mind. Engage with posts, share relevant content, and participate in industry discussions. However, don’t rely solely on digital interactions—complement online engagement with face-to-face meetings whenever possible.
#### 6. **Seek Mentors Who Challenge You**
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in career development. Instead of seeking mentors who only validate your ideas, look for those who challenge you to grow. A former Google executive emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who push you out of your comfort zone and encourage continuous learning.
#### 7. **Focus on Quality Over Quantity**
It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to meet as many people as possible. However, having a vast network means little if the connections lack depth. Prioritize quality over quantity by investing time in nurturing a smaller group of impactful relationships. These strong bonds will serve you better than a large but superficial network.
#### 8. **Stay Patient and Persistent**
Growing a robust network takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if results aren’t immediate. Stay patient, remain consistent, and keep refining your approach. Over time, your efforts will compound, leading to opportunities you may not have anticipated.
By adopting these strategies, you can build a powerful network that supports both your personal and professional growth. As the former Google executive highlights, networking is less about “using” people and more about creating lasting, collaborative relationships. With persistence and intentionality, you’ll unlock new doors and propel your career forward.
Alibaba Group (9988.HK) Chairman Joe Tsai said on Tuesday the tech giant would recommence hiring, emboldened with more confidence following President Xi Jinping's February meeting with business entrepreneurs.
He also expressed concern about some very big investment announcements in artificial intelligence in the U.S., saying it could be the start of a bubble.
Tsai lauded the rare meeting between Xi and big names in Chinese tech, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, which marked a distinct thawing in Beijing's approach to the sector. A regulatory clampdown on the industry four years ago sapped corporate appetite for investment and led to widespread layoffs.
The meeting was also seen as reflecting policymakers' concerns about slow growth and U.S. efforts to limit technological development in the world's second-largest economy.
It "was a very, very clear signal to the business community that, go ahead, reinvest in your business and also go out and hire people," Tsai told HSBC's (HSBA.L) Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong.
He noted Alibaba's headcount had declined for the past 12 quarters.
"So I think we've reached the bottom, and we're going to start to reboot and rehire."
China's economy has been beset by sputtering growth over the past few years, also hobbled by a debt crisis in the real estate sector, leading to job insecurity, high unemployment for the country's youth and weak consumer sentiment.
Hiring, however, would lead to good things, Tsai said.
"Once you hire people, that gives people job security, right, job security and income growth that will translate from business confidence into consumer confidence," he said.
Guo Shan, a partner at Hutong Research, said private firms like Alibaba were key to creating jobs for China's 13 million college students graduating every year, given that roughly a quarter of those graduates usually wanted jobs in IT and internet-related sectors.
She noted that the success of DeepSeek, the Chinese startup which has shaken up the AI sector with its low-cost models, has also been a boon.
"DeepSeek and particularly its open-source nature have boosted confidence in China's tech sector and widened the application scenarios - so tech firms will need to hire more for businesses anyway," she said.
While Alibaba has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence, Tsai said he was "astounded by the type of numbers that's being thrown around" in the United States.
"People are talking about $500 billion, several hundred billion dollars. I don't think that's entirely necessary. I think in a way, people are investing ahead of the demand that they're seeing today."
He said he thought it was worrying when people began to talk about building data centers on spec, adding that he was seeing "the beginning of some kind of bubble."
By comparison, Alibaba plans to invest at least 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next three years.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index (.HSTECH), comprising leading tech companies including Alibaba, has risen 24% this year, fuelled by Xi's meeting with tech sector leaders and excitement over DeepSeek's AI models.