Nokia

Nokia balances well a conservative business approach against the need for progressive product development. The pay and benefits were second to none for me, as well as job flexibility. The opportunity to learn is tremendous, and there is a great emphasis on further education. The work atmosphere was mostly invigorating.

There are too many disconnects inside the organization. Much of this is due to Nokia's constant reinvention. The corporate floor is perpetually shifting underfoot, so many necessary long-term projects are never completed. People hold dear to strategic information that would benefit others in order to protect their turf. In many cases, executive management fails to trust subject matter experts and administrators, who usually know what's needed to correct problems. Recent layoffs are poorly planned and conducted, with many of those subject matter experts summarily dismissed with no concern whatsoever for the resulting catastrophic disruption. Not enough resources are provided to the efforts necessary to carry the company forward. Sometimes Nokia is too conservative, especially in mature markets like the US. Often, some high-level communications come across as lies when they conflict with other known information or eventual results. All of this is damaging morale.

Your arrogance is hurting the company. A little humility goes a long way.

Get off the high horse and start really listening to your employees, especially lower and middle management. As you layoff employees who were important to getting things done, you are hurting the trust of those left behind.

You would have been better to ask employees if they would take a pay cut before starting the head cuts.

And please, either abandon the US market outright or take it seriously again-- the current ambivalent approach is confusing everyone!