Boeing – “Can't get work done because we're too busy with this month's fad quality initiative!”

Pros

Boeing has fabulous benefits and makes great products. Other companies make important things, too, but I can put my hand on an airplane or a satellite and say, "I helped make that." The sense of pride and accomplishment when a new plane takes off, or a new rocket blasts away, is worth everything.

Cons

Stifling bureaucracy and red tape make it very difficult to get real changes implemented. Far too much time is spent over "corporate masturbation" initiatives (LEAN is the big one right now). Senior management also likes to push employees to take ethics training, in spite of repeated unethical behavior. There's also a clear dichotomy within Boeing--if you're a designer, they want to keep you. If you're an operations person, they want to outsource you. Keeping only the "thinking" people and getting rid of all the "doing" people has contributed directly to where the company is right now, gazing into its own navel.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop trying to cost-cut your way to profitability. You're scaring away the people you need to keep.