'Open Letter' Rips RIM for Half-Baked Products

A senior Research in Motion (RIM) employee has publically snubbed the management of his (or her) own company, recommending that executives to "stop shipping incomplete products that aren't ready for the end user."

The embarrassing letter comes amidst rumors that Microsoft may buy up the flagging firm.

Open Letter Asks CEOs to Step Aside

The open letter was sent to both RIM co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie as well as online news site BGR. It makes a number of shocking statements, highlighted by a demand that management lay off unproductive workers.

It also encourages Balsillie and Lazaridis to step aside and let new blood take a run at overseeing the company's development.

Things "Chaotic," Letter Says

"We are the middle of a major 'transition' and things have never been more chaotic," writes the anonymous employee.

The letter then goes on to criticize Research in Motion for shipping "incomplete products," which many critics suggest is in reference to the Playbook, a half-baked challenger to the Apple iPad.

Also disappointing the RIM worker: the company's slow response to the Apple iPhone, which is slowly but steadily eating away at RIM's smartphone market share.

"We are now 3-4 years too late," the employee notes. "It was a major strategic oversight and we know who is responsible." It's believed the letter is referencing Balsillie, Lazaridis, and other key members of RIM management. (Source: computerworld.com)

"Perhaps it is time to seriously consider a new, fresh thinking, experienced CEO," the letter says.

Canadians "Too Nice" to Replace Lazy Workers

It's not just management that the anonymous employee thinks needs replacing. The anonymous author also made reference to an underperforming workforce, one that hasn't been given a once-over because "Canadians are too nice." RIM, of course, is based in Waterloo, Ontario -- about an hour's drive west of Toronto.

RIM has since responded to the letter, issuing an official statement.

"[R]egardless of whether the letter is real, fake, exaggerated or written with ulterior motivations, it is fair to say that the senior management team at RIM is nonetheless fully aware of and aggressively addressing both the company's challenges and its opportunities." (Source: cnet.com)