DivX – “What happened?”

Pros

Cool flexible place to work with a lot of very smart people. I'm sure a little bit of the old DivX is reminiscent, but it's seemed to have devolved into what is the competition doing, let's do that too. It has a nice open work environment.

Cons

It used to be an open and transparent place wtih lots of enthusiasm, but I think the mgmt now is too concerned with counting their money and playing it safe. They hire really talented people and don't let them shine. The place is ugly with gossip and politics and the "social club" promotions don't put the best people in the best positions. There is also a lack of leadership and decision making on projects. Plus, often work would get farmed out while senkior and competent people are stuck doing low level catch up work on the infamous DivX "fire drills". Almost all of the original visionaries are long gone.

Advice to Senior Management

Start recognizing talent. You're not Sony so start moving quickly like a small nimble company. Bring back transparency. Give people some authority to make calls on projects and lose the group decision making that generally leads to people casting doubts instead of building products. Maybe senior mgmt needs a shakeup. Move in a spirited direction that says DivX and let people shine instead of becoming generic copycat company x with a $3 stock share.