"so the reader could judge the veracity ot the author, but the contents are patently inaccurate."
Speaking about accuracy of the source, here is a different
opinion of a peer of yours:
amazon.com
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Greate insight into a fascinating company, November 28, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Israel
As a former Intel employee, I feel that Tim Jackson got an in-depth understanding of the dual face that Intel has. On one hand, it is one of the most exciting companies in the world today - full of clever people with bright ideas, who create one of the most exciting products in today's world. Intel gives its employees the opportunity to be an active part of the technologic revolution. It also made many employees rich by giving them stock options (although it was much less generous than other companies in the high-tech business, like Microsoft). On the other hand, if the big companies of today are like independent countries, then Intel resembles the former Soviet Union. The walls at Intel's sites are all covered with propaganda posters about how Intel is "A great place to work", and how "Intel culture" makes sure that it will always be so (pretty much like "the communist heaven"...). Employees get regular lessons in "Intel Culture" and its principles - like "Constructive Confrontation" "One on One" "Intel Management by Objective" - teaching them how these great principles make sure that their voice is heard, that they will have an open door in the upper management, and they will be able to express their ideas freely. In practice, however, employees soon find out that the system's main purpose is to provide management a tight control over the ordinary engineers, and make sure that everybody "stays in line", and avoid criticism. The hierarchical system of "key results" and periodical reviews makes sure that any manager would be able to get rid of "trouble makers" reporting to him as soon as possible. As a result, internal politics and the pressure on the workers constantly grow. (In my opinion, this is the reason why Intel couldn't convert its great success in building processors to any other field - like software development or networking products - despite huge investments in these fields). It is amazing that Mr. Jackson had never been an Inter employee himself - as his book gives a fair and accurate description of what it is like inside Intel - with the good and the bad parts. "
- Ali |
