Pros

A single-focus company (storage) allows for depth of understanding across many functions and disciplines. The multinational nature of the company provides an excellent training ground for many career tracks, from production expansion to marketing to pure R&D.

In many instances employees from individual contributors to vice presidents regularly meet and interact to provide background for decisions. Within reason, most ideas are given hearing and evaluation.

Compensation is good, somewhat higher than companies that offer stronger retirement plans. Vacation is adequate after a few years of service.

Cons

High level of involvement of senior managers (VP to Senior Director) in day-to-day activities gives a feeling of micromanagement. Managers are expected to know, in detail, every aspect of their employee's work as if they could do the job, also fostering overmanagement.

Sensitivities to legal risk have made information flow from top to bottom almost non-existent except for canned, formal presentations with little 'body'. This was especially evident during the run-up to the RIFs in November 08, January 09, and May 09.

Work hours are long at times, and those times are frequent.

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate appropriately in both directions: If you are going to manage tightly, communicate far more openly. If you are going to be distant in communications, then be distant in management style (delegating down to lower levels).

Realize that the stresses binge-and-purge employment put on staff affect home life and work-life balance. Do this less drastically.