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This piece is probably right, but in a purely sociopathic sort of way, Hurd did the rational thing: take the $23m for signing the confidentiality agreement, the

This piece is probably right, but in a purely sociopathic sort of way, Hurd did the rational thing: take the $23m for signing the confidentiality agreement, then worry about actually keeping that money later. A bird in the hand...

po 16y ago
The saying is not "A bird in hand AND the two in the bush." If he was following that expression he would stay with his millions and ride it for a year or two. He knew he could lose his "bird in hand" by joining Oracle. This just makes me wonder exactly what Oracle was offering him.
- pmichaud 16y ago
  You don't get hired as a big wig in 1 month. That process takes quite a while, so the one month was probably just the ending part, the culmination of many months or even a year of recruitment effort. That he took the $23m anyway just means that he would rather have a chance at keeping it than no chance of keeping it, which is rational. Plus, that amount of money makes enough interest to pay for its own legal defense, so he really had no down side to accepting it with every intention of breaking the agreement then getting sued for doing so. If he loses, he breaks even, if he wins he gets $23m. Makes sense.
  - po 16y ago
    No, I agree that it's rational. Just that the saying doesn't fit. ;-) Also, in this case, there wasn't a long recruitment duration. He was kicked out by the board somewhat abruptly due to a scandal and Larry Ellison went on record saying he thought it was a stupid move. Within weeks he was hired. I think Larry respected the guy, didn't care about his scandal, saw an opportunity, and jumped on it.
  - rbanffy 16y ago
    > You don't get hired as a big wig in 1 month You do. Networking is everything. And, if he loses, Oracle and Hurd will have damages to pay. By violating his confidentiality agreement and going to work to a direct competitor (Oracle acquired Sun after all) he will cause irreparable damage to HP's business. It's unethical for Hurd to accept the job and unethical for Oracle to offer it. I am not surprised.
napierzaza 16y ago
He could have easily balanced the two. If Oracle offered to beat the amount and pay legal fees, he could easily go to Oracle. I don't think he simply decided to break the agreement without considering things.

po 16y ago

The saying is not "A bird in hand AND the two in the bush." If he was following that expression he would stay with his millions and ride it for a year or two. He knew he could lose his "bird in hand" by joining Oracle. This just makes me wonder exactly what Oracle was offering him.

pmichaud 16y ago
You don't get hired as a big wig in 1 month. That process takes quite a while, so the one month was probably just the ending part, the culmination of many months or even a year of recruitment effort. That he took the $23m anyway just means that he would rather have a chance at keeping it than no chance of keeping it, which is rational. Plus, that amount of money makes enough interest to pay for its own legal defense, so he really had no down side to accepting it with every intention of breaking the agreement then getting sued for doing so. If he loses, he breaks even, if he wins he gets $23m. Makes sense.
- po 16y ago
  No, I agree that it's rational. Just that the saying doesn't fit. ;-) Also, in this case, there wasn't a long recruitment duration. He was kicked out by the board somewhat abruptly due to a scandal and Larry Ellison went on record saying he thought it was a stupid move. Within weeks he was hired. I think Larry respected the guy, didn't care about his scandal, saw an opportunity, and jumped on it.
- rbanffy 16y ago
  > You don't get hired as a big wig in 1 month You do. Networking is everything. And, if he loses, Oracle and Hurd will have damages to pay. By violating his confidentiality agreement and going to work to a direct competitor (Oracle acquired Sun after all) he will cause irreparable damage to HP's business. It's unethical for Hurd to accept the job and unethical for Oracle to offer it. I am not surprised.

napierzaza 16y ago

He could have easily balanced the two. If Oracle offered to beat the amount and pay legal fees, he could easily go to Oracle. I don't think he simply decided to break the agreement without considering things.