Xerox Reviews

Pros

Interesting, challenging work
Fantastic people
lower-level managers are almost all former engineers
great location

Cons

Very little opportunity for growth and advancement in engineering
Little to no job security in engineering
Company Leadership has made it clear they don't want to do their own Research and Development going forward.

Advice to Senior Management

I understand the desire to transition to a services-based company and get out of the printing business (the world continues to transition away from printed documents, and margins on hardware are always tight). But Xerox is making a decision to outsource engineering and eliminate all control they have over the contents and quality of the box (hardware) with their logo emblazoned on. I believe this decision will come back to haunt Xerox a few years down the road.

Xerox has (well... had) a fantastic Research and Development division that brought into the world such things as the mouse, the personal computer, the internet, and the GUI operating system - not to mention Xerography. If there's no money in printers, why not turn them loose to create the next big thing, rather than tossing them aside, buying a $4 Billion Services company, and calling that your future? The story of how Joe Wilson, Chester Carlson, and co. built Xerox into what it is today is a fascinating one. I would humbly suggest that the company leadership review it for a lesson in how to successfully transform a company.

Pros

challenging engineering work with flexible hours

Cons

shedding experience and propping value through reduction in force

Advice to Senior Management

Find a vision - get some leadership that can align the incredibly talented engineering team to build new kinds of great products instead of forsaking the experience of those that made you Xerox.

Pros

Generally allowed great latitude on direction of my own work. A great deal of flexibility is given regarding time off. These pros likely vary a great deal depending on your manager.

Cons

In 4 of the past 5 years, Xerox has frozen salaries for all (not including those eligible for bonuses, options, etc) employees. In the 5th year, Xerox paid an average raise of 2%. This has led to the exodus of a great deal of talent.

Advice to Senior Management

Start to value employees in real measureable terms. Actively convey upper management's vision to employees, such that they can formulate their own long term career plans.

Pros

The work is interesting, the people I work with are great. The technology we are playing in awesome and could be powerful if put into the correct markets

Cons

Upper Upper management are slow to react to anything. They allow projects to proceed for years and them cancel them at the end. Xerox bought ACS and the cost of that acquisition is starving off all the technology groups. They have not given raises in 5 years but will spend $500M - $1B to buy back stock. They clearly don't care about employees and are shipping jobs overseas as fast as they can

Advice to Senior Management

Pick a path and follow it through

Pros

The Benefits were pretty good

Cons

Way too many lies go CA's and technicians

Advice to Senior Management

They only supported the accounts when it was renewal time with the customers

Pros

Great products & excellent employees who care about our clients.
Xerox is a Global company that can provide great experience and good opportunities to those who are willing to move.

Cons

Just a job not a career.
Job moves predicated on who you know
Poor employee morale
Senior Management has little respect for the employee.
Employees feel like they are competing with ACS, little to no synergy has been created by the acquisition.

Advice to Senior Management

Transformation of the company without recognition of employees does not build loyalty to the company.

Pros

Private offices
Good relations between co-workers and with immediate mamagement

Cons

In general, management is clueless about software
Get-along, go-along environment
Highly risk-aversive management (eg, use of open source software)
The company that "Fumbled the Future" keeps on truckin' ...

Pros

Great people
Name brand
Leading edge technology with higher end products
Employees in the frontline make it happen in spite of managerial controls

Cons

Pay and territories assigned are constantly squeezed for increased production for less pay
Management is highly political
Deteriorating service and support
Highly political environment where constructive criticism is frowned upon

Advice to Senior Management

Xerox is always facing a transition due to cost cutting to produce an annual net income. Lower level employees are constantly let go or forced out, but many tenured managers whom are mediocre at best are kept. It sends a bad message to the troops.

Pros

Stablity with in the current economy.

Cons

Lack of respect, lack of growth

Advice to Senior Management

None

Pros

As a service rep. Xerox was a good place to work. It was a flexable job that let you manage the work on your own. The position was challenging enough technically to satisfy most people, and the variety of work made the time pass quickly.

Cons

The company did not always do what they said they were going to do. Like outsourcing of work.
Xerox is the company that started the industry but they act as though they are just getting in. Xerox constantly compared themselves to lesser companies.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop comparing yourself to companies that are not in your league. Instead of reacting to what others are doing, Xerox should force the rest of the industry to keep up with them. You are the big dogs on the block start acting like it.