Morgan Stanley Reviews in New York City, NY Area

Pros

If you find the right group and management, Morgan Stanley is a true meritocracy -- employees are appreciated and recognized for good work and ingenuity.

Cons

Be prepared for change -- constant change. Back office employees change managers, buildings, and organizations on a recurring basis. As well, the industry is doing a "musical chairs" exercise right now, so departures and new hires are frequent.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the communication! Morgan Stanley employees are skilled at change, but uncertainty creates confusion and insecurity.

Pros

Overall professional development is excellent

Cons

Compensation in the last 2 years

Advice to Senior Management

Improve Compensation to Mid and junior level employees

Pros

The Morgan Stanley brand is well received and respected in the market.
Global footprint provides exposure to a broad array of markets and products.
Best in class in terms of managing data.
Smart co-workers who are always willing to collaborate.
Excellent remote computing capabilities.
Excellent use of collaboration tools.

Cons

The Firm is on a systemic downward death spiral caused inconsistent vision and poor execution.

Prior to the merger of Morgan Stanley and Dean Witter, Morgan Stanley was one of the most elite firms in Financial Services. Since the merger the Firm was suffered a perpetual identity crisis. It oscillates back and forth between wanting to be a retail brokerage Firm or a trading shop. Unfortunately the oscillations happen at a frequency that never allows the Firm successfully realize the vision of leaders. As such the Firm is not the best at either. Currently the Firm is focused on Retail as evidenced by it's acquisition of 51% of Smith Barney. The merger is at least a year behind schedule and excessively over budget. From an earnings perspective the Firm has not been able to put together two successive quarters of positive results. Each earnings report is laden with reasons to justify its inconsistent performance. The Firm does not seem to know how the grow revenue so it is trying to improve profitability by contracting expenses. This is being achieved by continuously reducing head count, benefits, salaries and capital investments. Are these changes working? No, the stock price is down 18% year to date, moral is down, and our ability to attract top talent is diminishing.

Prediction: the Firm is acquired within 12-18 months.

Advice to Senior Management

Simplify the Firm's business model. Determine the Firm's core line of business, than purge the Firm of all none core lines of business, and focus on being number one in that chosen line of business.

Pros

Consider working for Morgan Stanley if you are planning to gain financial industry experience. Strong options for Internal Mobility as well.

Cons

No recognition for internal employees in terms of increase in total comp. New employees are making out far better than existing personnel.

Pros

Great benefits, good work life balance.

Cons

There are alot of changes taking place since the merger with Smith Barney. Restructuring activities have been taken plance and will continue to do so for some time.

Pros

Large company, great technology, smart people working there.

Cons

work you to death for the pay they give.

Advice to Senior Management

take a look at how other firms do things

Pros

Not too many complaints even thought I was damage by political fight but it can happen everywhere.

Cons

flat organization so fairly hard to be recognized but easier to communicate.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen and Listen

Pros

the atmosphere the money if you like fast paced high pressure high reward there is no better place or postion to have

Cons

there are very few if you are geared to work in an enviorment like this the only thing you have to watch out for is people who will throw you under the bus for their own advancement if you do your job well there is little to worry about

Advice to Senior Management

stay gold

Pros

first, it is one of the best IBs on the street.
I get to work with very smart people and learn a lot.

Cons

working pressure can be impressive sometimes since you are working on the trading floor, and you don't get to have a relaxing lunch

Advice to Senior Management

since I am just a junior people, I don't get too much involved in management,. But I think it's pretty good though.

Pros

Good benefits, 4 weeks vacation

Cons

three years w/o raise- no consecutive. Long hours and a huge deal if you are late.

Advice to Senior Management

stop micromanaging so much. Get better line managers.