I understand the need to vent and to let out your frustrations about Nike but sometimes when I read the stuff that is posted here I get the impression that a lot of folks never liked working here, ever. Did any of you enjoy working at Nike at least at some point? Or was the experience always negative? Because that hasn't been my experience. I mean, yeah, it's not perfect by any means but I don't see Nike like some sort of hellhole or whatever. If that was the case I would have left long ago.
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I loved my discount
Loved working at Nike... before the pandemic and latest re-org.
Started 12years ago and watch the company transition from a very open campus and group to a more restricted one. Fulfilling work and great environment... until it wasn't.
This might sound weird, but one of the biggest things for me is when they eliminated the child care centers. I loved seeing gaggles of little kids running around campus... it made me so happy to see them. You can thank Eric Sprunk for that... more interested in boosting their stock options and golden parachute and paying for the blue Bently that he would ride to work. Then he left with about $30min in stock options.
It was really expensive for the people who could afford it and wasn't like it was a drain on the company... pure greed and fu-k you attitude to get ride of it.
Nike went from being a Business to a corporation and quit focusing on employees and more on shareholders.
many people drink the kool aid, an astute few do not. however even those who drank the kool aid will sober up after leaving the company, sadly there are some that are brainwashed beyond redemption
For me like a lot of people, it has its peaks and lows. For me, my first two years were pretty great. My leader and manager both liked me, I got great opportunities to further my capabilities and grew. Had a lot opportunities on the table.
Then CDO happened and basically everyone I had built connections with, was eliminated. I was placed on a team that was dysfunctional and had lots of visibility because I was consider highly talented and should be able to resolve it. However, that's when I hit my low. I was miserable because everyone on that team felt they should've been Directors or Sr. Directors. No one was interesting in helping each other because that showed 'weakness'. So for about 2 years, my career was in a dead end. I was considered an "overhyped" performer and kept getting marked as Successful.
Ultimately that team got dismantled about a year and half prior to CDA. I was given a lateral/demotion to a team that was also floundering but matched more of my skills sets. I helped out some of people on the team and unfortunately our Director didn't have a strong strategy or a path to make the team successful. 80% of the team got wiped include the Director during CDA. Which was another really low point.
After CDA, new leadership came in from the outside and said we're going to be different. They gave us a direction but ignored a lot of call outs from the current team. About 6 months into that strategy they reversed and kind of told us to figure it out. Luckily - a lot of those people left to "upgrade themselves" to a VP or Sr. Director role out of Nike and we actually hired the right people for the job to replace them (past year).
Currently, I'm quite happy. New leadership came in, brought a strategy, gave the team purpose, and actively help get my career back on track.
If I looked back, 2016 was a peak year for me, 2018 was the worst year, and everything else is kind of up or down. Right now - I feel like I'm heading to another peak but time will tell.
If the economy wasn’t so rough I’d be gone. Writing is on the wall, our jobs are in the process of being offshored. Let’s see how well that works out once everyone gets tired and leaves.
Depends on the situation. Have had years I love being at Nike. Don’t feel that way now however.
Maybe one day it will get better or maybe it will get worst. Nothing I will do will change it.
I stuck through three departmental reorganizations and five managers in 18 years. I've enjoyed working here, but have seen things I disliked. Good people let go during former layoffs. Good people leaving because of no recognization for their hard work. Good people let go who were there when the company started, receiving no thanks or recognition for years served. Good people passed over for promotions because of manager friendship favoritism shown for others who were unworthy. Many inequities, with no accountability for how some people were treated.
Nike's potential is amazing- like no other company in this industry.
The problem with Nike is that a significant number of employees in middle management are simply delusional cvnts....unconscious bias is rampant as is nepotism. It has become a multinational powerhouse run by Beaverton barbies, smug brits and hi--------s....all with upward mobility at the top of their agendas.
Anyone who has been in an innovation role knows that the tip of the spear is now blunt. mostly due to cr-p managment.
So yeah, it's the people, not the place.
Yes, I enjoyed my first several roles in which I had good or great managers, was given some autonomy, and felt like I made a difference. The last few roles unfortunately became mindless PowerPoints, busy work to pass to the higher-ups, and being told what to do with no input.
Agree with @lyz. Waiting to be reorg'd under a new manager has also been a roll of the dice that has worked to improve the situation. Not so far though...
No
Loved 8/10 teams I’ve been on.
But sometimes you move and then you’re stuck with a terrible manager or situation for a year until you can start applying internally and roll the dice again.