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Not afraid of the big bad Microsoft Lotus went into business in 1982, when the IBM PC ruled the world and Lotus's 1-2-3 was the only spreadsheet in town. The introduction of Microsoft's Excel in the late 1980s was a major blow to business. But Lotus has now won a new niche by marketing itself as the software company that really knows its way around the Web, an area in which Microsoft has met with limited success. The current product list includes Java Desktop, cc:Mail, Asset Manager, a variety of IBM software, and the myriad of applications related to Lotus Notes and Domino, the company's two top sellers. Now a Big Blue Blossom Acquired by IBM in 1995, Lotus has managed to maintain an autonomous corporate identity, and has won industry awards for superior customer service. Lotus has also been been able to expand its core business through acquisitions of DataBeam and Ubique in 1998, and Onestone Information and Macromedia Inc. in 1999. Though most recent press attention has been devoted to Lotus's Web-related software, the company has also been developing its intra-office communications software. Lotus's latest release of its flagship Notes, the R5, is an overhaul of its last version. Offering a new browser-like navigation screen, workgroup collaboration features, and access to AOL services, Lotus hopes that the R5 will beat longtime foe Microsoft Exchange. The Sprouting Weeds 1999 proved to be a rough year for then-CEO Jeff Papows when he suffered two career-threatening accusations. First, a former female employee filed a sexual harassment suit against Papows, and then, The Wall Street Journal printed a front page story that said Papows had lied on his resume about his educational background and the details of his military service. Details were sketchy, but Papows was fully backed by his corporate parent, IBM, and claimed the accusations would not effect his career. Papows turned Lotus around when he arrived at the company in 1993 and had experienced a successful track record since then, including easing tensions with Microsoft. However, in early 2000, Papows announced his resignation; he was replaced by IBM veteran, Al Zollar. So far, the switch in CEO's has not effected the company's performance, although it seems to have spurred several other execs to resign. Lotus Notes registered 56 million users by early 2000, up from one million users when IBM took over in 1995. For the future, Lotus is continuing to develop online education products, from which it has already signed major deals with Babson College and the Ministry of Higher and Professional Education of the Russian Federation.
Lotus lists current job openings on its employment web page, accessible from the company web page at www.lotus.com/. Each listing includes an e-mail address to which applicants can send a cover letter and resume (in ASCII format only). Lotus also accepts resumes submitted via fax or regular mail at its Cambridge, MA, headquarters. The web site also includes a listing of nationwide recruiting events. For MBAs who join the company in its financial or corporate consulting departments, there's The Lotus Consulting Academy, a two-week residential training program based in Cambridge that provides a crash course in Lotus' products. Those who land technical positions at Lotus take note: "You will, of course, start at the bottom, taking small programming projects, but as you learn more you'll move up. If you're good, you'll move up fast" Says another insider: "On the technical side, you can advance to being a senior architect, or even a Lotus Fellow," explains one insider. "Lotus Fellows are sort of independent researchers. They just work on whatever they think is interesting. Most have PhDs."
Oh, the joys of high tech Policies such as "generous" tuition reimbursement, "frequent" company parties, and "outstanding" insurance coverage foster long-term, satisfying Lotus careers, employees tell Vault.com. Not only do employees appreciate the "lavish" salaries, they also appreciate the "informal," "laid-back" office culture. "Lotus is very casual, no dress codes," says one employee. Working parents also praise Lotus' "widespread efforts" to accommodate their particular scheduling needs, such as the option available to some employees to work at home. "Hours are extremely flexible," says one insider. "I usually come in at 11 and leave at nine. My boss, on the other hand, comes in at seven and leaves at four." Progressive workplace Lotus was one of the first U.S. employers to extend same-sex partner benefits to employees on its health and life insurance plans. The company also boasts "an award-winning day care center." In addition to offering generous family leave and child-care assistance, Lotus was also one of the original sponsors of the National Organization for Women's Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Women are well-represented at all levels of management, insiders say, and female employees report being very comfortable in the Lotus workplace. Not the tops in salary, but close The company's offices consist of "cubes for the non-managers and offices for the managers. All facilities have a cafeteria/grill." "Lotus has a policy of keeping salaries at the 85th percentile of the industry norm. And in 1997, we got a 4 percent bonus of gross salary," reports one insider. The bonuses are based on company performance. And if a product ships and you have worked on it, you get a bonus based on your contribution. Product bonuses can be quite large." Perks also delight the average Lotus employee. "The vacation is generous. You get two weeks the first year, three weeks the second year," explains one employee. "After five years, you get a month's paid sabbatical. After ten years, four week's vacation. After fifteen years, another sabbatical. Also, twelve paid holidays, your birthday (or closest working day), five personal days and five sick days." Both drivers and public transport commuters are rewarded at Lotus. "If you want to commute, Lotus will pay for your pass. Otherwise, there is free parking, which means a lot in Cambridge!" Lotus employees think "Lotus is regaining some of the momentum which was lost to Microsoft. So it's getting more exciting now." Insiders also note that "although Lotus is a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM, we have our own policies and procedures. Technically, we are IBM employees, but it hardly seems like it."
Human Resources
Asset Manager;cc:Mail;Domino;Education;Java Desktop;LotusNotes;Professional Consulting;Technical/Customer Support
Microsoft;Intuit;Oracle;Sun Microsystems More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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