Pros
Very smart people working on latest technologies for customers in real world situations. Ability to develop new skills and get involved in different projects keeps work interesting. Management is very open about company strategy, current progress, and major changes which impact the company. Compensation and benefits are equal to most companies in the technology consulting industry. Employees enjoy working for Avanade, get the opportunity to work with the latest technologies, and develop good working relationships. Avanade has a number of periodic recognition and reward programs to promote the best people and solutions for customers. Avanade provides a great opportunity for people with a few years of experience looking to develop technical skills for a few years.
Cons
Avanade is a technology consulting company with the obvious challenges working in this industry. The balance between work and personal life is very difficult to achieve. Avanade provides a number of training opportunities to employees but leaders don't have the time to develop talent in subordinates. For example, succession plans are only developed for most senior levels (CxO levels). Promotions are next to impossible and recognition only is given to the very top performers in all areas. Compensation is competitive but not spectacular. Bonuses have rarely been given to employees but regularly to management. Long term incentive programs are terrible especially after they stopped the options program. Recent efforts to develop new business offerings have been a mixed success. There has been a resistance to change with areas not performing to expectations such as poor management in critical growth investments.