I left NTAP because the culture there is long dead. They are not the NetApp they were 5 years ago. After 3 layoffs, the atmosphere on the RTP campus is melancholy and abysmal. I could not be any more happy to be out of there and at a company that reminds me of the old NetApp that I used to love working for.
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I have worked at NetApp for over 12 years, being proud of our products and our company culture. I have to admit things started to change a bit when the old leadership started to hand over their positions to new leaders, but even then NetApp remained that special place to work. Then the layoffs started, one after the other. People, old friends leaving the company. And it became hard to adapt to the ever changing reality on the working floor.
When It was my turn to leave the company in 2013 I knew I would miss this company a lot, and I still do miss the company the way it was in the 2000-2010 decade. It was really the best place to work.
NetApp really worked hard at change early - remember kotter? Iceberg is melting? Then they hired carelessly from large (but closed down like SUN) companies - VPs, Techocrats. These guys came with arrogance, know it all attitude. They loved the trust and amazing culture they received from top from Rob, Tom, Dave etc., but adopted cronyism, ass-licking, mediocrity below them. All the good employees that actually worked were either demotivated or made a decision to quit. So now there are a lot of jargon spewing managers left - who justify why they are losing and why it's good. 2 years later when Netapp finally closes down this will be a great comment section to look at.
What a sad state for a company that use to pride itself on it's culture. I worked at NetApp for seven years during the ramp up and it was obvious to me all the x IBM, Nortel and other castoffs that landed at NetApp would eventually screw it up. I'm surprised people still fill out that stupid survey stating best place to work.
Really? You didn't do ANY WORK for 3 years and then BITCH about being sh*t-canned?
Good riddance.
Folks that were cut today, deserved to be cut in many aspects. Were there mistakes made? Yes. Can they be corrected? Yes. With phone calls. Leadership was whacked. So was Support. Many FSE's and many PM's. Lots of lazy shitbirds too. I'm happy. See you in the frontline.
I've been at NetApp for nearly 6 years. Hands down the best job I've ever had. But there's no denying that the legendary NetApp culture has noticeably diminished. I love the job and I give it my all. The work/life balance is still pretty good (at least in my department), but it's certainly not what it was 6 years ago. Not even close. I love my boss, I love my team, and I love the challenge. But I suppose a diminishing culture is inevitable.
Notice how many email signatures in North America promote (or even indicate) GPTW. I don't even know if that signature is even an option anymore.
Yea, I've been rated 1s for past 7 years, was recognized many times. Won lots of spot awards. Have thousands of RSUs, but got the white folder today. I think it's just what team you're on at the time.
I'll get another Dev job with the competition and take my skill set there, but that's the game.
I hope DATA.ON.FIRE is a not an omen...
Dell/EMC and Amazon will inevitably erode NetApp's business until its bought out by a company like Cisco.
I find Ntap works how I would hope a company works. Succeed, and you are recognized and given more opportunity. Fail, and you get chopped. It's the nfl that's how it should be.
NetApp is still a great place to work. I've been through three layoffs myself and one of the reasons I still want to stay is because I love the work I do at NetApp. I learned and did more things at NetApp in the last 5 years than I did in my entire career.
I worked at NTAP for 8 years in RTP and left by choice, I could have left many times but I did not because it was truly a great place to work... Hopefully with their purchase of Solidfire they wont' just burn it to the ground like they did with so many other companies they bought in the past. Sorry for anyone who lost their job today but hey at least you have severance and it's not like you didn't see it coming.
I agree with poster 100%, culture is dead and gone. If you say the culture is alive you have not been working there long. If you're working for NetApp for the culture, re-evaluate.
NetApp destroyed my health and family life. Putting in 50-80hrs a week in my early years all for naught.
Working there for 15+ years, to experience the culture, I missed out on so many things. Wishing I spent more time with my family, especially my mother,who pass away recently. I will never get time to spend with her.
Work / life balance, its a joke. I even did a few 48hr days there. Go Johnny go go!!
Luckily, I got some of it back. For the past few years, I basically did nothing but took online training courses while getting paid a 6 digit salary to prepare myself for the next chapter of my life... Little tit/for/tat.. Seriously, no work at all, just watched training videos.... Anyone need a python scripter... lol...
But...I got my white folder today....
The writing is on the wall people, NB is the place to be and that is where the cultures at..
Good luck everyone who stays and I hope you survive another year or two....or move to India....where all the jobs are going.....
Also, I can't believe they let go the number one developer for ONTAP today....Not sure what they where thinking....
Till next time....
NetApp is still a great place to work but that is only due to the great people that are (still) here and not due to senior leadership.
Sadly didn't make the necessary cuts when it was needed 2 years ago and so had to resort to Draconian measures today. Too much bone was cut this time and that is going to be an issue in the future that I hope doesn't spell the start of a death spiral.
I survived all three cuts in the three years I've been here and not because of who I know as I can not and will not manage 'upwards'. Do your job to the best of your ability and that's all you can do. Stop trying to arrange your next promotion.
I really wish those in senior leadership positions would have felt the pain but they rarely do and even when there is a change in senior leadership, they don't feel the pain even then.
I can understand why people who were long-time employees are mourning the change in culture (not loss). But the inability of NetApp to adapt to changes in the industry got us here in the first place. If you don't see a connection, you need to get out more. And if you think NetApp is a bad place to work, you've been incredibly blessed in your career. I've worked in places where things weren't a problem unless they involved law enforcement. So get some perspective and move on.
I was new...and now laid off. I have been impressed with a few standout people, but I never felt the outstanding culture I had heard about. I would not vote NetApp a great place to work.
I hope this transformation works out. As NetApp just got rid of many talented people today. BYW, good luck to those who get to stay because he/she knows someone in the managements.
Hey, what about the pillars of NetApp -- the four C's?
Clarity
Collaboration
Candor
Coalesce
??
Haven't heard these mentioned since they were borned a year ago.
Get the white folder (severance paperwork) or have someone you care about get the white folder and then tell me NetApp is a great place to work. Geez...
3 words you say...
Iceberg has melted
Ship has sank
Netapp is only a great place to work if you are new, naive and work in a brand new area or Sunnyvale. As far as RTP, the culture died there 5 years ago and with the support there, getting chopped up and shat on every year in a high stress environment killed what remaining spirit their was. I am so glad I was let go in last years downsizing. As they haven't really eliminated any of the absolutely horrible decision makers....will see you again on this website next year.
So you found a company with better culture? NetApp is amazing and more than just RTP! The culture is there if you live it and don't let anyone put you in the place that you went when u took the decision to leave. If u can define NetApp culture with 3 words how would you call it or how would you have likedone it to be? I like get things done for example that one is amazing if you are getting it done ☺
completely disagree that the culture is dead. NetApp is a great place to work.
truth