Is this Kodak in 2002? Bright, wonderful people in an unfocused politics-laden top-heavy mess
Pros
--very, very bright research and (to a lessor degree) development --few employees under 35 is not good, but it means the culture is mature, adult, high-functioning, and respectful. I enjoy working with (most of) my co-workers more than any position in my career. --excellent pay and benefits, especially every other Friday off --periodic educational presentations on various audio topics --fascinating audio research in a number of areas, though little of it turns into products or revenue
Cons
--stagnating company means politics (land grabs and maneuvering to secure ongoing roles) --heavy internal promotion of under-qualified employees who have been here for years, and have no outside perspective or experience to help bring positive change. The result: frustrated top talent steadily leaves (or is pushed out) to work at companies which actually build products. Remaining management turns into group-thinkers overseeing disspirited "yes men". --long-tenured mediocre performers not removed --inconsistent and often poor people management, with nearly no management training or monitoring by HR --vast majority of revenue from a single product (Dolby Digital Plus surround sound), which is increasingly irrelevant because of stereo devices like tablets and smartphones. --near total failure to execute in mobile (public information) --key underlying patents are expiring (also public information) --few employees under 35, and just as few customers under 35 who know or care about the company --consumer marketing is a muddled mess, and partners aren't marketing on behalf of the company --multiple acquisitions with no clear on-boarding process, and little-to-no resulting revenue
