Pros
+Management typically supports work-life balance, especially in the summer. Busy times can be quite the opposite, though. +International job opportunities grow increasingly common starting at the $65K range. +Fairly flat management structure. CEO once gave a quarterly town-hall presentation in a hoodie. +Good talent. There are a lot of very competent people, but definitely not everyone
Cons
-Needs to focus on innovation. E-commerce and tech is so fast paced that you have to constantly invent and innovate, such as with Amazon, Cisco, and Apple. For example, Expedia hasn't had a hack day for years and none of the great ideas that came out of past ones ever got implemented. -Not enough "long term" planning. Expedia, like many tech companies, doesn't know what its needs will be two quarters down the road. But, while others have compensated by beefing up R&D, Expedia hasn't. (Related to first point) -The only real advancement path is into management. High producers *can* hop up the ranks fairly quickly, several directors are in their lower 30s or younger and the CEO is 39. But, not all high producers have the emotional intelligence to effectively lead and aren't ready for direct reports. Setting up alternative modes of advancement, such as a two year rotational program for people like this to give them a chance to grow into themselves more would be a much better way to breed solid leadership. Also, several people have complained about having to "play politics." Annual reviews take into account the opinions of your entire group, often comprising 20 or 30 people in several different offices around the planet. You have to make sure that everyone has a neutral to good opinion about you going into review season. I found that personal feelings can get involved, but most people judge the quality of your professional interactions, like "Did you drop the ball or get a slam dunk on that project in June?" As long as you have good social skills, politics will take back seat to performance.
