You can't say that is due to Carly. She's been gone a long time, and Mark Hurd should get more credit for HP's current state.
Compaq was on the verge of bankruptcy when Carly paid full price for Compaq. The only thing of value that came from the merger was the elimination of a competitor (would have happened anyway), the acquisition of Compaq's customers/contracts (HP was in the best position to pick them up anyway) and Compaq's consulting services (could have hired the best after Compaq folded).
The price was:
- The massive amount of wasted time, energy and money to push the merger through in the first place.
- The HP Way: The Silicon Valley culture that was created at HP and lead to it's many decades of success was destroyed.
- Paying top dollar for a company (Compaq) that was going under.
- Big mergers come with a huge price. Massive termoil, duplication of almost all functions, political infighting (where the most ruthless "politicians" win, and the competent leave).
- Elimination of jobs in the US, and outsourcing.
- The creation of the WORST customer support organization in the entire industry (and almost any other industry as well).
It was bad for HP, bad for America, bad for employees, and bad for consumers.
Remember she was fired from HP, and she very well may have barely escaped getting the blame for the infamous HP spying scandal (on it's employees and reporters).
Expect more of the same from John McCain's running mate or Secretary of State or Director of Homeland Security or whatever position McCain would give to Carly Fiorina...
