Herman Miller Reviews

Pros

Great design, dying industry (who needs an office?)

Cons

Too many people involved in decisions, slow progress

Advice to Senior Management

Listen

Pros

the people, many of whom are terrific to work with

Cons

hard to be so lean

Pros

Great Products, good employees, and wonderful distribution network

Cons

Poor leadership, favortism, cronyism, with dishonesty

Advice to Senior Management

Reevaluate current leadership team

Pros

A company that always strives to do the right thing
Bright, visionary leadership at the senior level
A fantastic culture, historically speaking
Innovative design and quality products
Collaborative company that engages smart people with cool ideas
A company you can feel proud to be a part of

Cons

No one loves Herman Miller quite as much as Herman Miller loves themselves
Narcissistic fascination with an iconic design legacy that is increasingly dated
Losing the spirit that once made it a very unique and special company
Too many subpar mid-managers, several of whose greatest strengths are deception and self-promotion, and who somehow escape detection
Driving out many talented people during harsh economy, while allowing some real manipulative tools to survive

Advice to Senior Management

Try not to let the spirit that made Herman Miller great fade away as you adapt to changing business environment. Weakened roots cause even the mightiest to fall.
Get your ear closer to the ground at the local level in a couple of major markets, and try to hear what those you may not want to listen to are saying. It will be very enlightening.

Pros

freedom to make change in the company and help move the departmenst in a better directiong for our customers. On going support for upper managment

Cons

comunication through out the departments with in Herman Miller. It is critical to show how a dicision in one team impacts another team

Advice to Senior Management

take action on what employes are saying about change. Move fast and always keep our dealers, customers and employes as the main priority.

Pros

Great products, strong design history.
Excellent external brand reputation.
Good people for the most part
A lot of support for field personnel

Cons

You think Washington DC is political...you ain't seen nothing yet! Distribution and dealers are the tail that wags the dog.

Advice to Senior Management

Good top line dealer sales can hide a multitude of sins...

Pros

They truly value people and are one the the classiest organizations I have ever worked for. They manufacture very high quality, however the furniture industry has unfortunately become extremely "commoditized".

Cons

They are going through a very difficult transition period trying to figure out where to go and what to do next. They are very "bean counter" driven at this point with not a single executive with a sales background and they are unfortunately losing their identity.

Advice to Senior Management

Get sales leader on the Executive Leadership team. You are about to have a major brain drain - especially with your very disgruntled Strategic Account Management Team.

Pros

good pay
exceptional corporate culture
environmentally conscience

Cons

discriminates on age
mandatory overtime
poor management

Advice to Senior Management

treat older employees fair when downsizing

Pros

Work/Life balance, competency of most co-workers, and overall reputation. Great products, great facilities.

Cons

political like any large company, not always inspiring - especially in current recession. calvinistic work ethic takes the pride, fun, and meaning out of work much of time.

Advice to Senior Management

encourage pride and enthusiasm, not just nose to the grindstone. the recession has been tough, but it's not all about beating ourselves up. we have a lot to be proud of. remind us of it.

Pros

Wonderful Workspace - furniture, amenities, cafeteria
Good Work/Life Balance - for those who work in the office anyway
Focus on Quality - truly, all employees have a passion to produce the best product

Cons

Downward Communication - much of it feels like non-executives are lucky to be given information, as if management is doing a favor by communicating outside of their offices
Mysterious Selection - as in lots of companies, how promotions or eliminations are decided seems to be a mystery

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work in keeping the company going through this economic downturn, Keep communication coming in a more authentic, honest way and before the press gets it.