Microsoft – “Not what it used to be”

Pros

The environment is rich in resoures. Benefits are good. Health insurance is outstanding. Very diverse work environment. Good cafeterias, cheap food.

Cons

The work environment is flooded with cheap overseas labor. Salaries are low. Review structure is completely opaque. Promotion paths are opaque. Employees are at the whim of thier managers. Microsoft Managers are the best double talkers in the world. They receive special training.

Advice to Senior Management

Quit taking initiatives. Managers and employees at all levels are required to initiate just about anything. At each level, employee initiatives are driven by their managers initiatives. They are so desperate to take on an initiative that will let them stand out, that managers often take on tasks that make no sense and pass them on to subordinates.