ADVA – “Optical Networking company in the doldrums”

Pros

It used to be a fast moving, and growing, company with innovative products and aggressive sales strategies. Emplyees were expected to work long hours but the atmosphere was good and people were happy to respond.

Cons

Poor management. The Board of Directors were incapable of executing at the level required and this led to two board members leaving the company during 2007. However, the changes were, in my view, not extensive enough and more changes will be required for the company to recover some of it's earlier strengths

Advice to Senior Management

In my view the opportunity to make internal changes has past. Now I would recommend that they look to be acquired so that competant management can take over. Unfortunately I doubt whether other companies would see any value in ADVA so I do not expect this to happen.