[chaostheory]

> But square feet cost $$$ and switching to an open floor plan is an immediate cost cutter.

This reminds me of the time companies used to try to save money by buying low powered computers. They didn't realize that carbon is more expensive than silicon.

[rglovejoy]

I actually had a manager tell me that all I do is typing.

[richardthered]

This reminds me of an old parable:

There's a big manufacturing plant in town that's been around for decades. One day, a new company comes in and buys them out. The new managers look at the books, and say "Wow! Look at these crazy labor costs! There are way too many senior people here. Let's replace them with new guys, and we'll save a bundle."

So, they do that, and save a lot in labor costs.

After the first year, though, they run into a problem. The plant isn't working like it should. Output is down, and everyone's running around with their hair on fire, trying to figure out what the heck is wrong.

After two days of this, someone finally gets a bright idea: "Hey, why don't we bring in one of those old guys that we laid off?" So, they hunt down the most experienced guy they could find, and bring him in to take a look.

He shows up, and starts walking around the plant. He slowly walks up and down the whole plant, with a gaggle of concerned managers following his every move. Finally, he stops at a pipe at the back of the plant, and pulls out a hammer.

He lifts the hammer up, and whacks one joint really hard. Suddenly, the plant starts working again, and everyone is rejoicing.

The CEO is smiling, and pats the old-timer on the back, and tells him to send a bill for his work.

Well, the next day, the bill shows up. $10,000. "What!" he exclaims, pounding his desk. "Send me an itemized bill!"

The day after after that, a new bill arrives:

Hitting pipe with hammer: $5 Knowing which pipe to hit: $9,995