Frankly I'd want my hardware and software teams to be talking to each other directly on a daily basis to get issues sorted out without having to run it up and down multiple layers of management that has even less of a clue about the details that matter the higher up they are.
For the first time in a long time they are under proper leadership now. Gelsinger was rated 99% in 2019 and #1 CEO among american companies while in VMware. If you look at another site, Comparably, he went from 65% in May of last year and below companies of similar size to 72% now, which is above the average. These are employee ratings.
I kept track of Bob Swan and he was 62. If you search for Kraznich, he's 59 or something and rated among the worst.
The past 3 CEOs since Barrett were not that good. At least Barrett and Otellini was sane. Kraznich was crazy.
Gelsinger was in the team responsible for 486 development while other parts of the company were mucking around with the i960, which put them in jeopardy.
Multiple times he reiterated that he's willing to sacrifice few % of margins if that's what's required. We think that's logic but that's not what the company operated on in the past 25 years.
Andy Grove said something like "The ingredient we use is Sand, but it's the people that create amazing products". Every time I look at lawsuits regarding patent infringement, or companies like Rambus that are patent trolls, or bankrupt companies being bought for several hundred million dollars just for the technology I shake my head. Because technology doesn't create better technology - better people and hard work does.
I've read of many articles how talent from the company either retired, quit, or went to competitors. Apple, AMD, Nvidia, etc, etc.
They have not only stopped the brain drain but are bringing talent back to the company. Some quote Pat's return as the reason for it. Many have left during the past 5 years. What he's saying is backed up by results and makes their claims much more believable.
They have problems in multiple areas, and since it was ingrained for a long time, it'll take time to get it better, nevermind fixed.