An Insight to the Valve Software Corp - Essay Example

An Insight to the Valve Software Corp. Abstract This paper is concerned with my personal interest to work for Valve Software Corp. This interest spans on what kind of organization is this company. In my desire to apply to this company, insights of VCS is investigated like its location, hiring procedures, its ideals, and the services the company provides. Since I plan to stay in the company, naturally, my concern is the company culture, salaries, and benefits I will be receiving. My analysis includes the type of people I will work with. VSC is a flat organization that observes no hierarchies, very few managers, and gives chance for employees to excel. The conclusion I had with this company is an ideal one for people like me who desires flexibility in an environment. An insight to the organizational Structure of Valve Software Corporation Introduction My personal goal is to work as a Computer Programmer. I am interested in applying for a position in Valve Software Corp. I am sure that with my educational background and working experience, I can be an asset to the company and at the same time I hope to learn more in the process. I will be in the company of professionals where development of growth is unlimited and there is freedom of work. Meanwhile, I need to weigh up the company to know it better, and in the process, answer the basic questions I need to know. Overview The Valve software Corp. is an American company engaged in development of video games and digital distribution. It is based in Bellevue, Washington, D. C. Valve was founded by two former employees of Microsoft in 1996. From this simple beginning it has grown to be a multinational company, earning about US $ 2.5 billion in 2012. Today, this company has 75 million users, and on average day, they serve around 6.5 million customers.(Yahoo Finance) . The company employs more than 200 people. Location, do you need to relocate. The present location of headquarters is in Bellevue, Washington is just perfect for me. Yes, I have to relocate because I am staying in California. But I do not consider that too much trouble because when hired, company spends for relocation. Ideals, what do they believe in (societal concerns, morality; is the customer always right) Valve Software Corp is in entertainment, and because of this, they want its customers to be happy. Like any other company, the term ‘the customer is boss’ is also followed as a rule; but employees here have to find what customers want then give it to them. In terms of morality, and in the context of the games they are doing, there is no moral choice because video games allow the user to do evil and bad things (Sterling, Jim, 30 July 2009), Goals – what are their future plans Valve Corp., having successfully developed many games, is not yet satisfied. They are working on changing the nature of PC by taking on Windows, turning its community into content creators, and help to bring virtual reality to consumers. (Grub Jeffrey, 24 Feb, 2014) What range of service do they provide Valve Software Corporation operates as an entertainment software and technology company. It licenses its Source game engine to game developers and provides gaming content to a network of cybercafés in 60 countries (Yahoo Finance). It offers games; Steam, a social entertainment platform that enables fans to buy, play, share, modify, and build communities around the company products, as well as titles from other independent game studios; and Source, a game engine. Types of entry level , upper level. Is there a room for advancement At Valve Corp, all employees are senior level. To be admitted in this company, an applicant must have at least three years of professional development experience, and with at most a bachelor’s degree in their area if expertise. They hire people who are integral to “high band-width collaboration”, inventive, creative and supportive.(Valve Employee handbook, 2012) Since it operates as a flat structure-organization, there are few managers and advancement thru hierarchical level is limited. However, in terms of salary, advancement of an employee depends on his own merit, evaluation of which is done by peer review and stack ranking once a year .(Valve’s Employee Handbook, 2012) Types of employees, culture, demographics; these are people you will be working on Type. From the Valve Corp. salaries scale, we could sense that they are hiring talented and skilled personnel preferably with a college or masters degree. Demographics. They are young professionals, aging from 18 to 34 years, who have a four-year degree course, and are employed full time. These types of people believe they are competitive when it comes to career. Culture. An ambitious group who embodies the lifestyle of working hard and playing hard. Wage beginning, amount increases Beginning salary of an employee differs for each position. The lowest position pays USD $39062; Ave. USD $86581; Median $85,176; High $180,000. A programmer’s pay is $61,027. (Salary List. 2012) Salary increases come after six months following a review of performance of the employee. (Valve’s Employee Handbook 2012) Benefits – insurance, paid vacation, maternity/paternity leave, etc. There is lack of information on benefits and not much is mentioned in its employee handbook. However, since this a registered corporation, although privately held, it is covered by the U.S mandatory rules for employment that consists of social security, unemployment insurance and workers compensation. Other benefits such as healthcare insurance coverage and retirement benefits are optional. Leave benefits are required under the law but are offered to employees as part of compensation and benefits plan. These leave benefits include holiday/vacation, jury duty, personal leave, sick leave and funeral/bereavement leave. However, employers are required to provide leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Conclusion. After reviewing Valve’s organizational structure, I have decided to pursue my interest in applying because of learning opportunities it offers that does not limit one’s abilities. Although it is a flat organization, I could see that cultural diversities would not be a problem because what reigns here is the culture of hard work that will shape me into a better employee. On my part I can contribute ideas, and my wealth of experience in the field. I am not interested in higher level positions, it will come, when I deserve it. Entrance level of pay in Valve is competitive and I believe sufficient for me. References Bloomberg Businessweek. Company Overview of Valve Corporation Retrieved 06 March 2014 http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=79596 Grub Jeffrey, 24 Feb, 201) Why Steam matters: Valve’s ambitious plan for the future of the PC. Retrieved 06 March 2014 from http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/24/why-steam-matters/ 92 SBA. Gov.) (n.d.) Required Employee benefits Retrieved 06 March 2014 from http://www.sba.gov/content/required-employee-benefit Salarylist.com (n.d.) Valve-Salary. Retrieved 05 March 2014 http://www.salarylist.com/company/Valve-Salary.htm?page=2&order=4 Sterling, Jim, (30 July 2009), Valve Games don’t have moral choicesReviews Editor . Retrieved 05 March 2014 http://www.destructoid.com/valve-games-don-t-have-moral-choices--141928.phtml Valve Employee Handbook 2012. Pdf. Retrieved 05 March 2014 Yahoo Finance. Valve Corporation Company Profile. Retrieved 06 March 2014 http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/119/119351.html. Read More