Pros
*Solid technology. The main products sell quite well (they need to dump the 35+ other products) *Rank and file employees are quite nice. (You will share a common bond with them over the poor working culture) *They promote from within and hire jr level leaders from the outside giving people a shot at roles they wouldn't get at bigger companies (this is because sr. level people aren't willing to deal with the negatives discussed below and they end up leaving) However, this ultimately is a negative for everyone else because the "first time in role" leaders tend to be inept.
Cons
The Cons mentioned on Glassdoor are 100% accurate, not just complaints from fired employees. What it comes down to is, there are 2 classes of employees - those in Ken and Michael's inner circle, and everyone else. To be on the inside you kind of have to sell your soul by not questioning Ken or Michael and just doing what you're told. For this loyalty you are rewarded with salary, stock and bonuses. Everyone else, not so much. Ken and Michael are the very definition of micro-mangers and will not acknowledge when they are wrong. Instead, they hold others accountable for the outcomes of what were clearly poor decisions (the constant realignment, creation and subsequent layoff-off of sales verticals foe example). Because of Ken's obsession with micro-managing irrelevant tasks and his lack of trust in nearly everyone, he has completely failed to deal with the big picture - Palo Alto's marketing and sales machine. In summary, even though the company is successful the culture here is bad, unethical and in some cases possibly illegal. If Ken and Micheal like you, you can get away with anything - harassment, hostile working conditions, even clearly discriminatory hiring practices. All known and permitted by the CEO and CTO. They will fire anyone who complains (more appropriately described as those who question their decisions). There is a reason 2 CMOs resigned after 6 months on the job. A new head of sales left after 3 months and the VP of HR quit all within the last few months.
