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The one stat you need to know
F5 Networks was recently ranked #4 on GlassDoor’s top 50 companies in America to work for.
What this episode is about and why you should care
F5 Networks recently made it to Glass door’s 50 Best Places to Work. Richard James, Director of Staffing gives an insider look at what makes F5 stand out. Richard introduces us to the inside world of F5 and how the company is committed towards making a difference. That F5 is governed by its core values of excellence and collaboration, resonates with the company’s outlook towards meeting new challenges. Richard also shares his perspective on the company’s culture and employee management, which makes F5 a great place to work.
What you will learn in this episode>
- What makes F5 Networks a coveted place to work?
- How F5 is governed by its “seven core values”
- Why “being listened to” makes a difference?
- Understanding the end objective of an organization
- How F5 is able to scale its “start-up” feel from close quarters?
- Why focusing on perks and benefits isn’t the only way to create a great culture?
- What advice Richard has for other organizations looking to create a great place to work?
Links from the episode
I’m coming up on my 5th anniversary at F5, and I’m always trying to get friends to join – because it is the best place I’ve worked to date. I joined the workforce full time in 1994, just out of college, and I’ve worked for ‘scrappy startups’ and ‘megacorps’ far larger than F5.
I’ve seen a lot of the hokey gimmicks used – open work spaces (which I hate with a fiery passion), forced socialization, free food, etc. I’d take F5 over anything I’ve been through before. About the only company that might tempt me away is Google – and that’s because I have a number of friends there and it really sounds like working for Willy Wonka at times. But I’m so happy at F5 I’m not sure even they’d woo me.
As was said in the podcast, it is the cumulative effect of a lot of factors. Working in tech it is satisfying to work on a leading edge, innovative product. Being proud of the product your company puts out has a lot to do with satisfaction. The sense of comradery and teamwork is strong. In five years I’ve never had someone say “That’s not my job” or “That’s not my department”. There is open communication both horizontally and vertically.
My past career was typical of tech – jumping from company to company fairly regularly, in search of something new or better. Or, if I stayed in one place, moving around internally to different roles for the same reasons. At F5 I’ve been in basically the same role since I started (promotions aside) and I’m still enjoying it. The work is interesting and challenging, and as an engineer that’s what I really want. And yes, the compensation is very solid too.
IMHO, F5 treats employees well, they have management that ‘gets it’, and they produce a top notch product while continually innovating. If you’re working in tech, I don’t think you can ask for more. And I’d take getting the fundamentals right over lots of bells and whistles to make up for falling short.