3M – “Decent place to work”

Pros

Solid technology company and talented personnel.

Cons

Volatile environment and frequent layoffs. 3M changed from being a place where people worked forever to a place where people frequenly leave. It is probably no different from most corporations today, but it is certainly a huge culture shift for this corporation. Also, there are lots of systems for everything which impede the progress of projects unnecessarily.

Advice to Senior Management

Steady the course instead of changing business strategies so frequently in response to quarterly returns.