Pros
Several years ago, Roper (the ownership firm) established the current Verathon leadership team. This team has galvanized around a new corporate philosophy, resulting in a whole number of things worth shouting off the rooftops about. I'll describe just a few. I confess I am new to the industry, and to Verathon (nearing 8 weeks with the firm).
(1) Like other well-managed firms, the leadership has wisely opted to avoid an appearance of class-consciousness, avoiding the caste-system atmosphere that too many larger firms still retain, ultimately at the expense of a united front (and team spirit). As one of my interviewers said so accurately: "you'll find that the leadership here is less sociopathic" than the norm. What a relief after so many years of the reverse...
(2) Verathon has managed, despite being in a clear growth cycle with increasing business, to avoid a common corporate disease--micromanagement. This was crucial for me, and I even dared to mention it during one of my interviews as a turn-off. Verathon has evidently decided to retain the feel of a start-up, providing the freedom and autonomy to do things correctly, which always creates a sense of satisfaction and ownership among front-line worker-bees that care. Such an atmosphere captures the old adage that any job well done--regardless of whether sweeping the floor or undertaking top decisions--is to be cherished. Indeed, such an environment encourages workers to work beyond the standard 8-5, although a straight shift is all that is expected here, and the working atmosphere comes off as unhurried, exceptionally friendly, and low-key. Incredibly, I also interviewed at Amazon (another industry I'd never been in before!) and found it fascinating to discover that even at that scale, Amazon too is trying to retain the feel of a small business start-up--because that works better for employees who have pride and passion in their work. Even Boeing (very hard task) is reportedly trying to find a way to get that small-business magic back that they once (long, long ago) had...
(3) Verathon has embraced its new direction with a new look--just now completing a truly beautiful remodel that makes every work space more comfortable; specially piped-in white noise subtly renders every side conversation quieter by muting, allowing for concentrated work yet retaining needed discourse alongside. Ample windows provide natural light and views an unmistakably beautiful exterior, with ornamental hardwoods and more. There are many private meeting spaces inside the building, very generous coffee-making, refrigerators and other culinary devices, and many other very appealing, artistic, and employee-friendly touches.
(4) Verathon, despite widely-successful products, continues to innovate. For a new-business development person such as myself, the sound of new-product development is like music to my ears--and shows that the leadership won't allow complacency to be fitted around existing products--even while retaining successful technology already developed. An OEM must continue to adjust, perfect, and innovate, because new-and-improved is what the end-user expects--regardless of discipline or industry. In a real sense, many people perceive an OEM as either innovating and growing, or--sitting on its laurels and declining in in fact.
5. Verathon seems to have very little gossip or office politics. There is a creative, practical approach to old questions; for example, although not for all administrative staff, some employees are allowed Fridays to work from home. There is a positive atmosphere, and for me, running into an old boss (who was 50% of my being hired for an aerospace job in 2006!) was unique, and a great frame of reference for coming to work each day, given that he sits close by. Indeed his presence is symbolic--the working culture here comes closest in my experience to that very same mid-size firm, in the aerospace industry.
Cons
None--I've given the compensation & benefits one less star, but that's not Verathon's doing--I just need to become more fluent in my existing role!
