great people, poor business model - Lead Software Engineer Finisar Employee Review

2.0
Mar 23, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

People at Finisar are very nice and company is trying hard to keep it this way. I heard from several people that it's so imporatnt fot them that they would be reluctant to switch company even if somebody else would offer them a 10-15% higher salary. Company currently is number one in the world in terms of market share of optical components ( modules). Senior management is generally resonable. Most of the times they do smart things. unfortunately, when they do make mistakes, mistakes are terrible and have negative influence on company's valuation ( read stock price) for years. That's it

Cons

Number one problem is lack of career opportunites. Because US R&D head count basically stays constant over years and all manufacturing side has been moved overseas, there are essentically no career oppotunities at Finisar US. Second problem is a broken business model. Finisar sells optical components to large companies. Cisco is number 1 or number 2. While Finisar is constantly struggling to be profitable, Cisco, HP and other brands resell Finisar products to their customers for literally 10 times of what they pay to Finisar. It certanly makes it very hard for Finisar to become profitable. Stiff competition does not make it easier. Plus, history of M&A shows Finisar senior management beleives it's competitors are always have superior technology. Only after deal is done managers realize price they paid was too steep. It happened 4-5 times and apparanetely management learned nothing

Explore other reviews about Finisar

5.0
May 1, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

flexible work, collaborative colleagues, not cut-throat

Cons

salary compression can take it's toll

4.0
Oct 23, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good market position and technology

Cons

High stress and work load

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