Conference 7.286::digital

How about the existence of Notesfiles for people to release their pent up 
frustrrations!

Dileep

    -) Flexibility: focus is more on "what" the job is than "how" it
       is done.
    -) networks: access to world wide information - I get spoiled!!
    -) Professional quality: People care.
    -) Energy, enthusiasm: people are excited about their work by and
       large.
    
    Bruce Evans, Santa Clara

    re .0, great idea, Al!  If we all spend too much time b*tching about
    things, there is potential to forget why we're here.  Potential
    warning however -- some of the reasons that I'm tempted to mention
    here really only apply to New England employees (ie, having equipment
    at home), so the moderators should be sure that some of the replies
    here don't turn into ratholes.
    
    Partial list includes:
    -  the open door policy -- it really does work.
    -  having equipment at home -- maybe not the latest/greatest, but
       it's certainly better than nothing.
    -  flex hours, *when appropriate*.
    -  access to world-wide information via VTX and notesfiles.
    -  working with professional people who are enthused about what
       they are doing.
    -  etc, etc, etc
    
    Jon

    Well, I've moaned a bit in this conference from time to time (Plan
    A was a BIGGY), so I guess it's my turn to "moan positively"  8^).
    
    If I want to remind myself about the benefits of working for Digital,
    all I have to do is remember my last job.  I worked for a large
    media company (one of the largest in the US) doing technical support.
    They kept their staff "lean and mean" (translated: "overworked and
    underpaid").  The VP of Systems was ex-military and liked to run
    the department like a camp (ever have a VP walk up to you during
    a FS call and say "The system WILL come up NOW"?)  You were "told" what
    your job responsibilities were.  Venturing outside of the confines
    of those responsibilities meant that you were risking the reproach
    of management.
    
    After busting my tail for a year travelling about the US supporting
    "classic" hardware (PDP-11/60s, 11/70s) running a release of RSTS/E
    which was 5 years out of date, I managed to get one of those "meets
    job expectations" ratings during my annual review.  Now, I know
    many people here can probably claim the same story, but at least
    at Digital there is an opportunity for horizontal motion (i.e.,
    if you work for someone who doesn't appreciate your efforts, you
    can attempt to transfer to another group).  Where I was, this was
    a non-option.  You could switch groups, but the results would be
    about the same.
    
    Also, promotions were curious, at best.  It seemed that promotions
    were based solely on longevity.  If you lasted 5 years, you would
    find yourself in a management or administrative position -- period!
    You had no choice in the matter, and it seemed that accomplishments
    had no immediate impact on your job.  They would take care of you
    "eventually".  Little wonder why *very* few people made it to the
    5 year mark.  I was *astounded* at the number of people I met here
    that had been here for 5 - 10 - 15 years.  And many of them were
    still doing technical things rather than pushing paper!
    
    My last straw was the preliminary plan for a nationwide RSTS/E upgrade.
    It called for me and some unnamed accomplice to be on the road every
    weekend for about 3 and 1/2 months doing upgrades (fly out Friday
    night, install on Saturday, test on Sunday, fly back Sunday night,
    and report to work on Monday)!  Of course, there would be no
    compensating time off ("Who would answer the phones?" -- I was the
    only RSTS/E support for 40+ machines nationwide and the only central
    VMS support for 9 machines) and there would be no overtime pay
    ("After all, you're a professional!").
    
    Thankfully, DEC was hiring!!!  :^|, :^), 8^) 8^}

    My former employer was a D. G. OEM that was bought out by a large
    defense conglomerate who promptly pulled the rug out on the R&D
    and sold off the patents.  Luckily, DIGITAL was in the same business
    (Graphic Arts selling to newspaper production facilities) and they
    took me in.  That was ten years ago.  I'm still here.  Still happy.
    
    grins,
    Marge

    Career freedom and flexibility.
    
    If I don't like what I'm doing (or who I'm doing it for), I can move
    down, up, or laterally without acquiring a stigma that will limit my
    future career growth. All I have to do is meet the 2-year commitment
    outlined in P&P, and I'm a free woman. 
    
    I can even move into a totally different field: SW into Sales or
    vice-versa, for example, without being branded a "job hopper" or
    an employee who was "disloyal" to my organization.
    
    I could turn down a promotion if it was into a job I didn't want,
    without ruining my chances at other promotions.
    
    There are lots of reasons I've spent the past 10 years with DIGITAL
    (and plan to spend the next 20 or so), but job freedom and flexibility
    has to rank right up there at the top.
    
    							Pat

    I changed careers to work here.  [For twelve years I worked for an
    environmental consulting company that couldn't manage its way out of a
    paper bag.  Insecurity was rampant, if you messed up even in a small
    way, you were repeatedly reminded of your mistakes and pigeon-holed as
    someone who could never be trusted to do that again. Anyone who showed
    a little talent for managing things was regarded as a threat to the
    careers of the upper-level managers. There was almost no opportunity to
    advance unless you DID push someone above you of their job.] 
                                                                     
    Coming to work at Digital was like landing in the new world for
    me. I been fortunate to have good supervisors and, believe me, in
    twelve years I've seen the worst!
    
    I hate paperwork that has no obvious payback. Here at ZK we don't even
    have to fill out time sheets, unless we are sick, going on vacation, or
    something like that. 

    The easy-going lifestyle and lack of dog-eat-dog backbitting and
    office politicking are what does it for me.
    
    Of course, I realize that my Digital Equipment Corporation may be
    different from your Digital Equipment Corporation.

    I like working for Ken Olsen. I like his style, I like the way he
    thinks, I like how he treats his people. I like his attitude. I even
    like the way he is frank enough to say what he thinks, even if the
    press tries to put it in a negative light (as in his snake oil
    comments). I get the feel that he is one person in this company that is
    not focused on just 'this quarter's results', but thinks of the
    company's performance in terms of a long term mission. I like the
    architectural approach he has established for systems, networking,
    software, etc. 
    
    Rich

    
    I've never ever heard of such an example of management being 
    responsive enough to turn back a questionable decision.  Too often
    in some firms the need to protect ego is more important than doing
    the right thing.  I'm still in awe.
    
    Dave

    Well, we  only have about 480 replies to catch up notables such
    as "So long Plan A" but the replies thus far really show some thought.
    As a matter of fact, some of the points made make me think and realize
    that I've taken some things for granted.
    
    I work in the "field" and have little opportunity to understand
    what it's like back at "HQ" other than what I see within NOTES and
    occasional visits of the people like you all that make it all happen
    for the rest of us.
    
    What do I like about Digital? The Teamwork! Some people call it
    culture. Whatever it is, the people I've been priviliged to work
    with have been like a religious group. One goal..make Digital (us)
    successful.

    It never ceases to amaze me how comfortable we are in using change
    as a tool to get things done, whether by using our technology to
    speed the process or use our style to focus people without upsetting
    them. I've  worked in two other industries and have faced the same
    obstacles that others mentioned: political walls, resistence to
    change, etc. -- those industries, even if they BUY our products
    to use as tools, are still behind the 8-ball because their people
    are conditioned to be followers and not leaders.
    
    In my job, I always get a 'kick' when sharing with external folks
    the ways that we get things done, the speed by which we access and
    share information, and the comfort we have in facing the future.
    I find that we know as much as anyone about advanced management
    sciences and technology transfer, but in a hands-on manner. Nice
    feeling.

Several of my "likes" have been mentioned, but one more is: Digital is
preparing me for the next 2 decades of my life. We get to use tools, see
concepts, and work with systems that will be with us for 20 years. I call
that a type of job security and an "interest" generator.

Barry 

    I worked at 3 other companies before DEC,2 of them computer companies
    and the one thing I realized coming to DEC was the high level of
    competence and positve attitudes of the people I came into contact
    with whether you were talking to engineering,sales,field service
    or manufacturing...they all had a good image of themselves,the company
    and their job. It was like coming home to your family,finding people
    who were interested in doing what was right and making the customer
    happy. I also noticed a demacratic process in place that ment that
    anyone no matter what level the person might be had a say (and had
    to buy into your plan) in getting the job done. It was and is still
    a great experiance. I have been here for 13yrs now and it still
    works, and my experiance of finding consistently good dedicated
    people working hard at their jobs whether in the field or back in
    the greater Maynard area has not been altered one bit over these
    13 yrs. We are very lucky,some companies have dead end jobs and
    noway for you to get out unless you quit,managers who love to show
    you "who's the boss" and are not interested in your career plans.
    I even worked at one company whos VP of the division had personnel
    out in the parking lot writing down the plate numbers of all who
    came to work after 8:15(and your manager would then give you a
    verbal repremand for the first offense,written and in your jacket
    for the second and fired for more than 3 in one month..I'm talking
    about electrical engineers here not clerks or hourly paid help)
    Oh yea...some of these companies paid every two weeks and the last
    one I talked about paid monthly, yep 12 checks per year,try getting
    used to that some time.  And layoffs...Did I talk about them ? I
    think you get the idea.
     I for one know how good a place DEC is to work and have recommended
    it to my friends.
    -ph 
    
    Europe also..sorry GIA I haven't had an opportunity to work in your
    area yet) I only wish I hadn't wasted those previous 18yrs. and
    

    	I like the basic honesty that prevails throughout the part of
    the company that I see.  I have been in product development meetings
    where hard decisions had to be made.  Sometimes it is voiced, but
    I'm sure it's in the front of everyone's mind: "Do what is right."
    And, wonder of wonders, I have repeatedly seen the hard decision
    made, not the cheap decision, or the easy decision, but the right
    decision.  This sort of culture has got to succeed.  - Chris

    I like the encouragement to learn and grow.  My management is always
    supportive of requests for training, new books, and college courses.
    If I say I need a day at the library to do research, no questions
    are ever asked.  If I want to attend meetings and seminars, they
    almost always find a way.
    
    All they ask in return is that I do quality work, take good care
    of the people funding my projects, and try to come in "on time and
    under budget".  What a deal!  
    
    I love it here.
    
    

    There have been many great replies which express the many good things
    that makes us love Digital.
    
    It, clearly, begins with Ken's genius for keeping things simple,
    respecting people, allowing direction to come from below, and 
    doing what is right.
    
    There is still a Digital Difference which pervades throughout the
    company.  As long as we make the effort to maintain the values that
    Ken has exhibited for so long we will thrive.
    
    The key is respect.  Respect for ourselves.  Respect for peers.
    Respect for subordinates.  Respect for managers.  Respect for
    competitors.
    
    Most importantly, respect for customers.
    
    Keep the faith(s),
    
    Don

	    Freedom of expression
    
    It's great that people are free to say negative things about the
    company, for example, in this conference.
    
	    Generosity toward employees
    
    We're able to use company resources for things that aren't strictly
    business related, for example, this (and many other) conference(s).
    
	    Management isn't always "them"
    
    At other companies it's always obvious that "we're" just employees,
    and "they're" management.  Here, I feel like we, the employees,
    "own" this conference.  Other places management would control it
    (if it were allowed to exist at all).
    
	    Rank is downplayed
    
    At other companies, you can tell a person's job level by the color
    and size of overhang of his desk.  Here it seems that employees
    treat each other with respect and are often unaware of each other's
    job level or seniority.
    
    
    At my previous employer (IBM), none of these were the case.  I hear a
    lot in this conference about "the old Digital" vs. "the new Digital".
    I think we take a lot for granted in the current Digital. 
    							Larry

    Ya know, I started to list out all the things I liked about Digital,
    but when I got to around line 500, I figured no one would bother
    to read the response.
    
    Let me just sum it up in twenty-five lines or less, and I will let 
    you all read between the words (some of which have already been
    used):
    
    Communications (Conferences, Mail, Phone, Phones, VTX, VNS, Feedback)
    Security, Trust, Faith, Teamwork, Resources, Treatment,
    Professionalism, Respect (Don is right on as usual), Honesty, Humor,
    Training (enlightenment?), Fairness, Flexibility (Freedom),
    Transferability, Understanding, Customers, Quality...
    
    I know I will think of more, but they will all go in other responses.
    Basically, I have to agree with all the previous responses, and
    probably all the future ones to come.
    
    I think it could be generally said that now matter how much people
    complain about things in this conference, or any other, if they
    didn't like the company, they would not be here...
    
    Doug

    
    Most of the things I like have been mentioned but I'll repeat them
    for the record:
    
    - Digital's attitude towards it people.  We are more than just
      resources and this company allows and helps us to advance our
      individual careers.
    
    - The quality of the people that work for this company and their
      willingness to help out.
    
    - The incredible network of information (Notes, VTX, Hotlines etc).
    
    - The fact we have a forum (notes) to express our personal and business
      points of view without being crucified (except for soapbox) by
      management and our piers.
    
   
    That's just a short list but they are the most important to me.
    
    
    Donna

    I like DEC's policy of letting its engineers (software, anyway) use the
    computers during off-hours.  There are caveats, but none that are
    excessive.  I've taken significant advantage of this policy to
    add to my technical skills.  And I've seen others do the same.
    
John

    I think it is about time a note like this was started. It's great!
    All to often people will complain about their company, their job,
    their spouse, their kids. It's easy to complain but more difficult
    to compliment. DEC is a great place to work and play. All the notes
    conferences attest to that. Today is my 5th anniversary with DEC
    and I'm looking forward to another 30. DEC has great benefits;
             - Medical insurance
             - life insurance
             - dental insurance
             - SAVE plan
             _ Stock plan
             - retirement plan
             - tuition reimbursement
             - sick days
             - holidays
             - vacations
             - adoption benefits
             - short & long term disability plans
    as well as flex time, career opportunities, advancements, good pay
    increases, seminars and in-house training. No lay offs. Yup. I like
    it here and I think I'll stay here.        

    I agree with everything that has been said before, but I would like
    to highlight the one thing that makes me want to kiss the floor
    (kinda like the Pope does) when I think of other companies I have
    worked 'against' (for?).  That one thing is the matrix management
    we have here.  It allows us to be in management and still be totally
    non-competitive (for reasons already mentioned in previous notes).
    It allows managers to manage instead of stab in the back to get
    ahead.  Everyone does his/her job well and deos not worry about
    keeping up with the internal Joneses.

        
    This is also the only company where one really enjoys Mondays because
    one can truly say one works with friends, 136,000 (+-) friends,
    an extended family where we talk about our children, spouses, troubles,
    etc., all in a non-threatening environment.  Thanks for the memories,
    DEC.  May there be many more years worth for all of us.
    

    To sum it up, DEC is what we in the 60s envisioned companies should
    be, and KO is the quintessential visionary keeper of that flame.
    
    
    P. S. Thanks for starting this great topic.......

       RE: .21
       
       	I'm glad I work for DEC cuz of people like John who develop things
       that pique my interest and keep surprising me with what he
       comes out with during his off-hours work.
       
       	It boils down to this: I can have some serious fun with what is
       provided for me. It's hard to walk away from fun. :-)
       
       						mike

    What I like about DEC...
    
    I like the people. Being from the States and living in Z�rich,
    the DEC way of life spreads to almost every culture.  The Swiss
    are no different.
    
    Everything that was said in the previous notes is the same here.
    
    Open managment, good training, good pay, good machines. The fact
    that you come to work in the evening and no one asked you too.

    If you drive by our office at night, you can always count on
    seeing some light on and someone working. That someone has been
    myself a lot of times, because the work is so interesting and the
    ideas can't wait until the morning.
    
    This is a place where coming to work on Monday doesn't mean another
    "Ooh..it's Monday". The time passes so fast, that when it's Friday,
    I am  wondering where the week went.
    
    This company is a place where I  feel secure, even way over here.
    The teamwork is great and it is a good feeling to work for a company
    who's president is a honest, says-what-he-thinks person, and cares
    about people. I know that I could never make it on Wall Street.
      
    I guess you can sum it up in attitude. DEC's attitude towards
    people is good so DEC can expect the same in return.
    
    Peter
    

    I like the way Digital 'invests' in its people.  Digital paid for
    my MBA and has granted me an LOA while my husband is reassigned
    to European headquarters.  Because the Company does right by its
    people, I do my best for the company.

    The values are important, and the sense that we are not doing things
    like LBOs because greed is not reinforced in and of itself.

        

    Gee -- no responses since November?  Guess I'm behind the 8-ball,
    but...
    
    One thing I haven't seen mentioned (although it's certainly written
    between the lines) is our pay for performance philosophy.  I know
    I will succeed if I work hard and do my job well.  Sounds obvious,
    but I watch my husband suffer through his union job wherein the
    primary objective is to be unproductive, otherwise he and his
    co-workers will hit the streets for lack of work.  I could never
    work for a place like that.  In Digital, hard work is recognized
    and appreciated, and our paychecks generally reflect that appreciation.
    
    Also, I feel like I have the best of both worlds:  I have the security
    of a large, thriving corporation, but I also have the "family business"
    benefits derived from the closeness of my department.  I've worked
    for four different groups in 8+ years, and I've always felt like
    I belonged where I was. 
    
    And, as has been said a number of times already, but bears repeating,
    there's always the opportunity for growth and movement in Digital.
    If I don't like my job, or if I've progressed beyond it, I can always
    move to another group while maintaining my experience, seniority
    and benefits.  
    
    One last point:  I'm a secretary, and I've seen other companies
    and firms (I was a legal secretary before coming here) that simply
    DO NOT value its secretaries.  Digital is doing a phenomenal job
    in its secretarial programs right now, and it is just the beginning;
    more programs for secretaries are being worked on and will be
    implemented.  I realize that Digital values its people, but I'm
    particularly proud that it pays attention to ALL its people!
    

    re: .28
    Agree with most of the reply, in particular DEC valuing secretaries.
    As most of "individual contributors" and first, second ? line managers type
    themselves (thanks to the tools) the secretaries can do a more
    interesting job such as organizing meetings, trips, preparing
    presentations etc etc.....
    As to pay for performance ? (There might be a reason for silence
    here !) yes, in principle. However the implementation is getting
    difficult with growth and tighter budget control. The magic number
    is the "bottom line" that a manager has to watch for. This is the
    size of cake to be shared. Your slice depends on performance.
    No problem if the cake is big and/or the rest of the group are
    lousy performers. But what if everyone performs equally well and
    worse, the cake is small ?
    To be realistic, it should say: Pay for performance relative to
    bottom line and group performance.
    
    /Fred
    ( Realizing that "pay for performance" might have been discussed
     elsewhere, feel free to move reply/continue discussion where 
     apropriate)