Analog Devices – “ADI... great human capital and engineering community”

Pros

The people. People definitely makes the difference. ADI has a great human capital. Probably one of the bests across industry. There is a "strong company culture". Either when things go well or not, strong support can be found from piers. Also people is very social.

Other important factor is technical challenge. In a rapid growing and competitive industry, ADI is striving to be among the top players. Technical innovation at ADI is an on going thing, which has to be seen as a very valuable factor for personal career growth and development.

Factors mentioned above, make the whole deal about working at ADI, without any doubt.

Cons

In some groups there is a lack of mentoring and right guidance for junior engineers. Management under pressure to make money. Other groups are great in that sense and there is more sense of direction.
Many worthy people whose efforts and contributions are outstanding leave the company seeking for better opportunities mainly because there have short recognition from management and their salary is not matched to the contributions they made. Money is not the ultimate reason, but unfortunately, sometimes it is the only measure somebody has to estimate her/his appreciation from the company.
For many years, ADI seems to have issues retaining key people.

Advice to Senior Management

Reward loyalty. Treat employees who have been with ADI for a long time better rather than giving higher pay to people less experienced coming from outside companies.
Incentives and Compensation not great and well below other competitors.
Stock options awarded underwater and worthless. Bonuses might be ok depending on business.
Many attempts in the past to give spot awards, but never seen that as an ongoing thing.
When the numbers don't come out the way top management expects there is a total lack of communication, they cancel quarterly communications, engineering conferences...

Clearly there seems to be a mismatch between the quality of human capital and the rewarding/recognition they get. That whole review process is a mere paperwork and somewhat disappointing for many individuals that see it as the only opportunity during the year to provide/get feedback. Tis should be addressed in a different way. Also, people that make good contributions should get reasonably good rewards.