corporate culture: CMP Media, LLC

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, July 1, 2002 by Susan Thea Posnock

Byline: Susan Thea Posnock

portfolio: The high-tech and healthcare business-to-business media company has nearly 40 magazines including InformationWeek, CRN and Network Computing. Other products include newsletters, Internet products, research, custom publishing and trade shows. Owned by British-based United Business Media, the company has been hit hard by the tech slump, with layoffs - including 30 last month - a major contributor in whittling staff down to about 1,800 from about 2,700 in April 2001.

location: The corporate headquarters are in Manhasset, New York, with other offices in San Francisco, New York City and other locations throughout the country.

word on the company: With all the layoffs and changes over the last few years, it is "collaborate or die," as workers have to do more with less. That has its positive aspects, as the company focuses on "employee empowerment" and doesn't have a real "closed door old boys' network." Employees say there is tremendous interaction among staffs and even different offices. The environment has been changed recently, by more than just the downturn. Since being sold by the Leeds family in 1999, an employee says, "it's kind of morphed from this real close-knit family environment," into one that is "more corporate."

atmosphere: Workers show up in everything from casual to business suits, "as there is no hard and fast dress code." In the Manhasset office, it is all offices and no cubicles. The San Francisco offices were remodeled within the last couple of years and now have a more open environment. Staffers say the workforce is on the young side, with about a 50/50 split between men and women.

benefits: Standard health plan, 401K and vacation package that starts with two weeks. The bad economy has impacted benefits. As of January 1, emloyees will no longer be allowed to carry over vacation days.

perks: The corporate headquarters has a childcare and fitness center, a cafeteria, and offers dry cleaning service. Employees in San Francisco can take an onsite yoga class (at their own expense) on Tuesdays. All employees can get a discount at Crunch fitness clubs. Additional perks include a childcare referral program and employee outreach programs organized for charity and to give employees the opportunity to interact outside of work.

churn: Turnover in the last year has been through layoffs, with not many employees leaving voluntarily.

challenges: The biggest obstacle right now is the economy, and more specifically the tech market which impacts employees whether they're in the high-tech sector or not. "We're trying desperately to keep up the pace with a smaller workforce." There's also uncertainty as employees don't know whether they'll make it through the next round of layoffs. While corporate has been understanding and communicative, "it seems like every month we get a new memo about something," says one staffer.