Microsoft

If you work in services (Bing, Ads, MSN, etc.), then the place is pretty dynamic.

The benefits are fantastic, and in comparison to Bay Area jobs, the pay and even equity are pretty good if you are a decent performer.

If you work in services (Bing, Ads, MSN, etc.), then you have to put up with the most immature management team I have ever been a part of.

Work/life balance is difficult to maintain if you want to really succeed. There is often no reason for this other than poor planning, lack of direction, and low-quality developers.

Again, if you work in services, you will find yourself working alongside some of the least capable developer teams I have ever worked with.

Hire in some strong leaders beneath Qi Lu, and fix the ads group, which has languished under the yoke of inept leadership. Make sure that talent and execution is rewarded. See through the b.s. that is rampant in services.