Hi there
Loads of people if they've worked in the same business for a long time often feel "The business is going nowhere" or "It's changed a lot since I started in it and not always for the better".
The whole nature of work has essentially changed and unless you are in a job like say a Clergyman, the Police, Fire services or even a successful Lawyer then perhaps a CHANGE is good -- since who ever really works for a typical business for the whole of their working lives. A lot of people would actually BENEFIT by possibly doing a career change -- in most Western countries it's not abnormal for people to live well into their 80's and even 90's and today's 65's are often much fitter than the 55's of even 20 years ago. I'm getting on and can STILL run a Marathon (42.2 KM) in just about 4 hrs dead.
(The current Archbishop of Canterbury - head of the C.of E or Episcopal church as it's known in the US was originally an OIL executive -- and he's doing very well having a go at "Payday Loan" companies who are essentially legalized loan sharks charging around 5,000 % (yes FIVE THOUSAND %) APR by tempting POOR people into short term loans).
Archbishop of Canterbury declares war on Wonga: 'We'll put you out of business' | Mail Online
Shows that a change of Career can be a good thing. !!!
I started off in Engineering, did a load of I.T and now do essentially some Market Trading and a few Pro Photography Gigs -- all these types of jobs I've really on the whole enjoyed myself in but would I have stayed in ANY of them for 30 - 40 years -- No I don't think so. I still do the odd I.T gig but I'm essentially "Semi-retired" now - but am busier and probably enjoying myself far more than when I was in Full time work. !!!
We need to look at OURSELVES a bit more rather than expect a corporation like MS to stay essentially the same for over half a century -- even the British Monarchy has changed considerably over that period -- and I for one certainly wouldn't like the equivalent of QEII's job. !!!
I still don't think Ms is a bad organisation and there's lots of innovative life left in it yet -- even allowing for the W8 fiasco.
As for Ms not paying suppliers for up to 6 months -- this used to be the NORM in a lot of businesses --180 day billing cycle was quite common -- even if you were a tiny "Under the Railway Arches" business or "Sids Café" across the street supplying Sandwiches.
One of the worst offenders -- and I know as I've seen plenty of external contractors constantly ringing them up as to when they can expect to get paid - was Accenture (more popularly known as "Accidenture" !!). Sometimes people weren't paid for nearly 9 months. !!! However the Law ( in the EU / EEA) has now been changed so they do have to pay their externals quickly now.
In the EU / EEA rules have been changed that suppliers must now be paid within 30 days at the latest and before accepting any contract it's very easy to get a FREE instantaneous brief online credit status of the organisation in question so your risk as an independent free lancer or supplier is significantly minimized.
Cheers
jimbo