Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

I think it's an ok place, but 5 years max is recommended, and leverage their time for skills upgrades. I think the longer you stay past 5 years, its not advantageous at all. I think they want people to leave after 2-3 years, they want young people, want to move GT offshore, reduce the WHQ staff more, if that's possible. Though you know there are still lots of slackers that need the DOGE audit and need out.

Worked at Nike from 2005-2017/18 ....before getting laid off (wife too. she worked a few years longer)... Nike was fantastic those years... but when those layoffs started happening in 2017...it was the beginning of the end. Nike lost many many good people since then. The brain drain was just too much...imho. People who lived and breathed the brand... it was a lot more tight knit it seemed. everyone kinda seemed to know everyone. there was still a bit of backstabbing, but it just became more and more and more...

and now you can see the results of how getting rid of so many good people has affected the brand.

The nepo babies, the DEI, the focus pay disparities just all caught up with the place. It's left a bad taste in peoles mouths ....those that were left because there were things beyond your control in charge of your career. Some HR person, some Sr. Director whose kid needed a job, getting passed over for DEI hire who had zero experience.

Nike got wrapped up into the same sh-t that's happening in Portland as a whole..... too far left. too out of touch with reality.

I think EH has a big job ahead of him, but the place is so toxic, and the trust is gone. It's a shame. It seems like the good old days are behind it, and what is left is an empty shell of what it once was.

idk how you turn it around, but I think it starts with treating your employees with respect and having more transparency and having a sense of fairness, but once people get a little taste of power, they often f- it up...

rooting for ya. I still own a bunch of stock and got my discount for life, but FFS, get back to basics

Was there for almost 10 years and can confirm, your accomplishments are meaningless in the real world it’s an echo chamber there. Unless you really prioritize certifications, learning new skills in your field or expertise while there you will be in a tough spot when it ends. They just toss you around from role to role and you figure it out, before the next one.

Maybe the OP should examine their own career and ask why you need to move companies every three years? IMO, that's what's wrong with Nike tech - it's populated with people who want to build a resume and then bolt for something else (with Nike on the resume). Sure, tech has it's problems - most were created by leadership that hires come and go staff like the OP.

I guess you are simply not good enough. Good luck on the outside.

@xe+1jm0ceczn This guy spitting facts

If you are new to Nike, you will wonder why there is such a high concentration of incompetence in grades 45/50/55.

The answer to that is Nike WAS a grow company. It grew rapidly between 2010 to 2022. Rising tide lifts all boats.
If you observe closely, you will see most of these employees have been at Nike for 10+ years.

To be honest most of Nike's Principal and higher grade employees would not even clear the first round of interview at any of the FAANG companies. They know it and that is the reason they never leave voluntarily.

Nike is a myth
What matters with our time is how it’s spent. There’s no fairytale career at Nike or elsewhere. Take what’s yours, remember what you can’t control, and be a good person.

Good write-up, though you contradict yourself at the end.

Yes, directors, sr directors and VPs are ineffectual.
Yes, there is no going back.
No, Nike is NOT a fantastic brand.

I worked at Nike for over 20 years and acquired SO many bad habits, mostly marketing myself 24/7. Left in 2017 and have learned about humility, professionalism, and real business skills and strategic thinking.

@a8+1jm0ceczn

Fwd: De-mystifying career growth at nike by MM

Blah blah blah

Workday and self-serve learning will fix everything.

100% agree - I've worked across maybe 4-5 companies before I came to Nike, and now i'm somewhere else as well. I was there for 10+ years across different cities and WHQ - it is true that Nike looks good on your resume, but the smart recruiters know that Sr Dr, VPs don't actually do much at Nike - when i was interviewing for my now role, they asked me specific questions on when have I actually done something, made a decision, created something new - a process, a team, etc etc....luckily I had that those experiences but there were roles I had at Nike that I couldn't find a good example from because all I was was an intermediary and messenger between teams, and all I spent all day doing was building a portion of a slide for my boss' boss' boss to present at a meeting and chasing down answers across teams that didn't want to answer for fear of throwing their teams under the bus. It was constant CYA. How's that for career building and development? if you're young and early in your career, get a few years at Nike and then go find a great place to work and build up your management skillset - this place won't teach you what you need to know to survive in the real working world

Spot on
It’s almost worse to invest 10-20 years then get laid off and realize other brands don’t want people from Nike because they can’t make decisions, are used to someone else doing a job and pretending to push papers around doesn’t actually justify as work

I completely agree with the OP. If you want to grow, find a company that will foster your career development.

Most of the long-time veterans have been let go in the past few re-orgs. Many of those I knew were good people and high performers. That is what you have to look forward to (unless you make it to the very top and then there is almost no accountability).

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERES NO CAREER GROWTH AT NIKE?!?!?!