International Data Group Reviews

Pros

Great corporate environment
Room to advance
Smart management
Do now, ask for forgiveness later outlook when it comes to projects
Flexible work schedule/telecommuting
Good work/life balance

Cons

Very divided business units - hard to collaborate

Pros

Good work life balance, and many areas for mobility. Upper-management are outdated on technology, some of the jobs is due to tenure not skill

Cons

Not competitive pay, some people are not aware of talent. The building can be more appealing, as a very older look,

Advice to Senior Management

Appreciate more, make room for promotions to the best employee not just tenure, working forever doesn't not translate into skill

Pros

The name itself is still a name - although the meaning has been lost in time. They still have some good working totles (PC World, Computerworld, GameStar).

Cons

The main problem is with the head of the company. Istvan Biro is an incompetent person, who is unable to lead a company, and he is unaware of the latest changes both in the field of information technology and journalism / media trends.
Also, there are second level managers who are "traditionally" parts of the company but they only imitating work. The actual work (to stay alive) is done by the middle management - editors, lead journalists, but it is only enough to survive...

Advice to Senior Management

One word: resign. Time has passed by and they have ruined this once great company totally. The only chance to get some of the old shine back is to let young, talented and competent people lead the company.

Pros

A wide range of different jobs.
Allow a lot of time off. Some interesting people, particularly in Editorial.
Good Location.

Cons

Due to consolidation, career mobility has completely evaporated.
Everyone who leaves our group, leaves IDG. There used to be more
options for changing positions within the company. Been through 2 pay
cuts and not seeing any indication of raises coming down the line.

Advice to Senior Management

I liked it before when the company was more decentralized. There is a need
for people to be treated more fairly.

Pros

- Excellent health insurance
- Alright for an entry level position
- Decent name for a Research firm

Cons

- No team interaction amongst members
- Was managed by an offsite boss
- Vague idea on time line for career progressions

Advice to Senior Management

Review your training schedule for the middle east, not enough is done in this regard

Pros

It was an interesting place to work at. They fostered growth and peer / team work. New challenges always popping up which kept things interesting.

Cons

Although there was team work, there was also lots in politics to deal with, people trying to position themselves over others to get ahead, etc.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep the politics to a minimum. Try to recognize achievements without showing favoritism and keeping people as "the chosen ones". Spread the recognition to many people on the team.

Pros

Salaries were respectable and benefits decent. Has some great people, and the work life balance is ideal if you have a family - no one was seen in the office past 5:45.

Cons

Large company complancency, little to no career opportunities if you're not in sales, and a definite old boys club atmosphere at the management level. If you're actually looking to strive, work hard and make it to the top somewhere, this isn't the place. If you're looking for a stable place where you can come in at 9 and make it home in time to make the kids' dinner, it's fine.

Advice to Senior Management

Be less complacent, always work as hard or harder as the people under you.

Pros

Relatively stable, nice perks, experienced workers.

Cons

In reactive mode as it figures out how to shed print legacy and move ahead with online.

Advice to Senior Management

Not to be so secretive about why certain job roles were cut. More cohesive leadership.

Pros

You are also working with extremely bright and talented people - who have a passion for putting out the very best product. One of the best reasons to work at IDG is their benefits program. They do have bagel Friday's. And there's a good work/life balance.

Cons

It use to be a place where you were proud to have put in years of service. However, it's no longer true (is it true anywhere?). The Publishing industry is changing, and so is IDG. So be prepared for a roller coaster of a ride.

Advice to Senior Management

You can't replace experience.

Pros

Good networking opportunities - and they are large, you can move around within the corporation. They offer training classes which was great. Ranging from technical trainings to career/personal development opportunities.

Cons

Pay was not very high, room for growth was limited and there was little to any communication to employees about things that were happening. It was difficult to get HR involved with management issues as well.

Advice to Senior Management

The training was great