Sun's Performance Evaluation

Personal

A recent BSC blog reflected on the reasons why the author likes working at Sun. That got me thinking of my own list of considerations. Think of this as a reverse Performance Evaluation :-) These are some of the categories that are important to me. I haven't revealed my weightings (some are more important than others) nor Sun's "score" - those will be different for everyone and will shift over time. But the concept of evaluating your employer is intriguing. Sun does quite well, by the way.

Role
What I Do (interesting & challenging assignments that make a real difference)
How Often (always on a project - multi-threading when possible)

Basic Comp
Salary (I'd like to be able to work for free, but... a competitive base)
Bonus (extra rewards for personal and corporate contribution & performance)
Benefits (standard stuff, plus things like tuition, cell phone, broadband, car, etc)
Stock Options (and a growing stock valuation :-)
ESPP (guaranteed 15% return, plus valuation growth)
401K (with decent matching)

Scheduled Down Time
Vacation (extended R&R with the family)

Strength of Company
Respected (by customers, prospects, competitors, analysts, neighbors)
Vision (a strategy that is unique, consistent, aligned, communicated, and rational)
Technology (lots of smart people creating interesting and relevant stuff, related to the vision)
Execution (the resolve and ability to realize the vision, in time to be valued by the marketplace)
Solution Oriented (able to solve a client's needs, not just sell a collection of parts)
Process Driven (able to deliver predictable excellence, consistently, every time)
Marketing (capability to stimulate strong market enthusiasm for our vision and solutions)
Management (leads by example and motivation, removes barriers, empowers)
Profitable (a strong indicator of great leadership and decisions)
Growing (a strong indicator that our vision and execution aligns with client needs)

Other Considerations
Training (professional development - continuous capability improvement)
Mentoring (formal one-on-one relationships to stimulate optimal performance and growth)
Colleagues (passionate, fun, smart, supportive, aligned, empowered)
Resources (given access to the tools, techniques, & talent needed to succeed)
Stress (managed: adrenaline-producing, not fear-inducing)
Exposure (opinions/ideas heard at the exec level and in public forums [blogs, conferences, etc])
Personal Growth (a clear and achievable roadmap for promotional opportunities)
Organizational Stability (evolution, not annual revolution (as in washing machine :-)
Job Security (no concern of massive corporate-wide RIFs)

April 18, 2005 10:37 AM EDT Permalink