Intel

Technical work can be very interesting. A large, benevolent company with the resources to provide many benefits and opportunities for employees.

With the exception of microprocessors, Intel has been ineffective at entering new product areas. It's not clear how long this business model can continue to be successful. In spite of attempts to re-structure, streamline, and innovate, improvements in decision-making and risk-taking continue to fall short. Many senior managers are very political, despite attempts for improvement. Recent publicity and actions regarding business and marketing practices by the EU, the FTC, etc., are embarrassing to employees. There is a lot of internal training on conducting business in an ethical manner, which emphasizes the importance of how things are perceived, as well as their legality. Given this, how did Intel manage to attract so much negative attention?

We need to really find ways to promote innovation and risk-taking rather than just talk about it.