Struggling to decide what kind of company it wants to be
Pros
With lots of clever people, Thales can offer a stimulating environment to work in. The company is not afraid to take on serious technical challenges. If you are a recognised expert in one of the company's core skills, then you will be somebody in Thales. There are attractive opportunities to work with colleagues in other countries, particularly France, Netherlands and Australia. Long term international assignments are also possible. The senior corporate management in Paris is cultured and sophisticated by comparison with many UK PLCs, but no less tough.
Cons
Management structures are often bewildering, lines of authority unclear. Decision-making is slow and ponderous (though in part this is due to the very complex range of technologies that Thales deals in). Senior managers often have multiple roles which present conflicts of interest - they are expected to cope. Local factory & BU loyalties are pronounced, with local grandees often allowed to frustrate corporate policies. The fact that Thales is controlled indirectly by the French state means that, each time the French President changes, the Chairman & CEO of Thales tends to get replaced. This is very destabilising and hugely distracting for senior management.
