James Surowiecki

In practice, downsizing is too often about cutting your work force while keeping your business the same, and doing so not by investments in productivity-enhancing technology, but by making people pull 80-hour weeks and bringing in temps to fill the gap.

American Journalist

David Korten

But in the past, US companies have been able to increase their profits through downsizing in the US, through colonizing other people's resources, and through the increase of globalization.

American Activist

Celia Hammond

People's financial situation has changed, and they surrender their cats all the time, because they're downsizing or moving to a property where they are not allowed to have pets.

English Model

Susan George

Much of what is called investment is actually nothing more than mergers and acquisitions, and of course mergers and acquisitions are generally accompanied by downsizing.

John Quelch

Product downsizing in the face of inflation in order to maintain retail price points has long been used by food companies, notably manufacturers of candy.

American Educator

Sheryl Lee

I had a little house, and I sold that and moved into a condo, then sold the condo... I kept downsizing and downsizing.

American Actor

Scott Adams

Dilbert' became popular during the downsizing of the '90s, and job security was a major theme of the strip.

American Cartoonist

Antony Blinken

Mr. Tillerson's obsession with downsizing our diplomacy has colored his time at the State Department.

American Statesman

Jim Cramer

The corporate killer downsizing is directly responsive to what the mutual funds have wanted.

American Businessman

Debbie Stabenow

We've lost 400,000 jobs in Michigan because of downsizing.

American Politician

Often suggests job loss and discomfort, used in formal and business contexts.

Negative Emotion

Sometimes a euphemism for firing people to soften the impact.

Euphemistic Use

Can imply a strategic move for efficiency, not just cutbacks.

Business Strategy

Can be used neutrally without implying it's good or bad.

Neutral Tone

Implies an ongoing or one-time process initiated by the employer.

Active Process

Signifies a significant change, often to simplify lifestyle.

Life Transition

Suggests a voluntary, proactive decision, not forced.

Personal Choice

Can be emotional, as it may involve parting with possessions.

Not Always Easy

 The Italians have a wonderful expression for “Lupus in fabula.” The wolf in the fairytale. Just when life is going swimmingly, along comes a demon, a dragon, a downsizing, a pandemic.

Downsizing