Microsoft

Microsoft is a great place to work because it gives you not only the opportunity to influence the team you're working in, no matter the position, but also gives you the ability to get as involved as you want to be with other areas of the company. This allows you to influence the development and direction of products which you, your family, and friends may use, unrelated to your actual day-to-day job.

You also get to play with lots of cool new apps and devices through internal beta programs.

The best part, though, is you're surrounded by geniuses.

Microsoft attracts a large amount of very, very driven and focused people who work very hard. You will have to work very hard to meet the curve that is needed to see good bonuses and fast promotion.

Working in a remote office for Microsoft can also be a downside. Redmond is the beating heart of Microsoft, and this can sometimes show through lesser facilities at remote offices.

Politics, as with any large company, can slow progress on projects, which can be frustrating at times. Your ability to speak freely without bias around Microsoft products and services can also be a downside.

My advice to senior management would be to create a fast-track promotion route for those employees who show natural skill and progression. Currently, the promotional track, as understood by many in middle management, can lead to slower progression for the 'fast-lane' driven employee who puts in double the hours and double the effort.

While it's true that they can get the highest bonuses and largest raises, it seems like the politics of actual promotion (level, title) is so surrounded in middle management covering their backs that most do not want to do it, 'just in case' it's not sustainable.