Pros

Large corporation and our division had clear access to senior level management. Good career development/education program available to certain employees. Great products with a true desire to produce quality.

Cons

They tended to focus on M&A vs. organic growth. They tried to fit square pegs in round holes by assuming newly acquired companies' markets were identical to existing businesses.

Advice to Senior Management

There is a need for a focus on R&D and nimbleness in businesses with competitive markets. In my experience, IR rested on current technology while competitors were innovating and capturing market share. Promises were made to correct that but when it came down to it, there was not enough in the budget, yet they sat on huge cash reserves. Senior management often stayed at nicer hotels, drove rental cars above authorized T&E policies. This often occurred during times that travel restrictions were imposed and budgets were slashed for everyone else.

There were two classes of employees and it was made obvious and flaunted. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of this but morale suffered across the company because of this underlying friction.

When employees left they were not replaced in an effort to be lean. Customer service suffered severely and was noted in the field.

On the positive, the IRU program was great. The education was meaningful and carried over in future positions outside the company. Good benefits for employees compared to similar size corporations. I appreciated the quarterly financial reviews and Q&A with senior management that included everyone from receptionists to directors.