I know that Alcon has great retirement benefits (12%) but other than that, what are the benefits like compared to other pharma, diagnostics or medical device?
About 5-10 years ago that was the truth. The retirement is still much above average, 6% is matched by Alcon and 6 by Novartis. However they do not offer stock options anymore, no stock for presidents club winners either. The medical/vision/dental seems good but pretty comparable to any pharma. Expensive for a family but what isn't these days, unless you're a teacher and get insurance paid for? One perk is if you wear contacts you can get free Alcon contacts or a discount on LASIK with an Alcon laser. All Sandoz, Novartis and Alcon prescriptions are free as far as I know, probably not including biologics or oncology. Company car costs around $100/mo taken from your paycheck and personal gas benefits taxed (standard again). Lots of reps sticking around for the retirement, especially those in surgical. Don't know what else the world is offering but here at Alcon you get a low base by industry standards and the opportunity to make up for it in 'uncapped' bonus. Company culture is typical pharma.
Company sucks compared to 10 years ago. Reps get paid less here then anywhere else. Goals are so high no one makes bonus either. Hardly work and get paid here or go somewhere else and get paid
I would not recommend this Spending time here. Many strategic mistakes in business planning and the product pipeline is not very strong. NVS paid too much for alcon and then screwed it up. Smaller players will continue to eat away at various areas. Smaller companies bring products to market faster with far fewer resources and provide better prices to consumer. Alcon management has failed to do this. This is a consequence of promoting or hiring incompetent people for management. Where is the sales growth? How about all those new products? How about all the promised synergies? The combination of back stabbing and self centered management will continue to bring this place to new lows. would your manager be able to survive outside a bloated beurocracy? Unfortunately too many would not have what it takes. Do you want your future in the hands of the current management?
