As one competitor just summised to me, this is 'good for Avigilon, bad for the rest of the industry'...

Another manufacturer quipped, "Nooooo! With Schmode out, that makes it harder to compete against Avigilon!"

I hear DvTel is still hiring.

The "empowerment" remark is dead on. Fear and micro-management are impediments to growth. There should be more fresh air for everyone in that organization today.

AVO stock is down ~5% on the opening, at $13.37. Last year high: ~$34.

"Look Bryan, its either you or me, and I own the company, so..."

Bryan will provide consulting services to the Company to ensure business continuity over the next year.

"We would be glad to accept your resignation, if you would be willing to offer one".

I don't typically like to hear about people's lives being disupted, but in this case - I cannot get rid of the smile across my face.

Well done Alex - your employees (current and former) and investors thank you! Having just spoken with several Avigilon employees this morning - they all feel a huge sense of relief and very hopeful for a bright future once again. Schmode was the 'cancer' within Avigilon and it has now been removed. There will be side effects and other Schmode vestiges that will still need to be dealt with, but the main tumour is gone.

In an industry as tight as security - I'd be surprised if there is still a bridge Schmode hasn't burnt to the ground.

Unfortunately it probably took a lot of investor/company money to exit this tumour. Money which in my opinion is not deserved by someone who took glory in firing good people, undermined his peers at every opportunity, deceived many of his employees, manipulated Alex for so long and was generally an untrustworthy a##hole.

Stock might take a little hit today, but overall and longer term, this is incredible news for Avigilon, its employees and investors.

Kudos to IPVM for bringing this forward and getting Avigilon to talk about the elephant in the room - and doing something about it. Investors and employees of Avigilon thank you John.

"You can't fire me!"

"Why not?"

"Honovich just predicted it!"

"Good point. You're fired next week, ok?"

Also, the SVP of Global Operations Collis Heath also 'left the company' as part of the same streamlining. It was in the press release.

Related, we hear that Avigilon is saying that Schmode's departure is not performance related...

Having personally dealt with Schmode, I can say... looooooooooong overdue.

My initial thought was this is a positive move for Avigilon, an obstruction was removed. Whether it translates to better products and more sales will have to be seen. I can say I'm not going to recommend their products just because he's gone.

But after some additional thought, maybe this is isn't a positive but a huge negative. I remember watching a link where an analyst discussed Fernandez's reputation as controlling and overbearing. I specifically recollect he used the word "crazy" to describe him. (I'm pretty sure it was posted on IPVM, I searched for it, maybe someone can post the link for it again.)

So did Fernandez just make a positive move by ousting Schmode or is it a negative so he could have more control? That does seem to match the analyst's description and validate what's wrong at Avigilon. Just my thoughts/opinion.

New anonymous Glassdoor review spotted.

"Former employee."

Pros: Excessive compensation, Fiefdom creation encouraged, "Foundation of Fear" friendly, consistent ruthlessness rewarded, panoramic views, yearly office party, fresh fruit, spa.

Cons: Sweat shop. Expected to do the work of 5 EVP's. Suggestions from Upper Management routinely dismissed by Upper, Upper Management as being unworkable even barbaric. HR department. Shareholders. No real commitment to intimidation. More shareholders. Buck passing options limited. Parking pricey.

Advice: Not for everyone

Good or bad long term, it sure seems the concensus is that it had to happen. The IPVM article essentially advocating his ouster was prescient beyond belief. I propose IPVM make more recommendations as to what other companies should do.

My question is -- how much of this executive turnover at Avigilon and other companies is a direct result of the downwards pricing pressure introduced from overseas?

A.F. Bryan, as you know we would prefer to resign, rather than fire you, and so are willing to consider a reasonable exit package to insure a smoother transition. Do you have a number in mind?

B.S. Yes actually, I do. The number is 7,923,923.

A.F. I said reasonable, you know the street would have my head if I parted with that kind of cash.

B.S. I don't want your cash, silly! I want USPTO #7,923,923. And we'll call it even...

A.F. Wait a sec, I have an idea...

Update: Schmode has now retired, or so says his newest LinkedIn profile: