High Scores "Strongly agree" Score Industry Rank Pay is good 98.9 2 Immediate resolution of problems 98.4 2 Fair appraisal system 90.9 2 Low Scores "Strongly agree" Score Industry Rank Exciting growth opportunities 85.5 8 Less stress at work 78.0 11 Encouraged to take risk in work 68.9 8 Dream Job "Strongly agree" Score Industry Rank Growth opportunity 29.6 17 Organization culture/work climate 43.2 8 Salary & compensation 63.0 1 Strengths: High compensation and a good work environment, which provided balanced growth and flexibility Weaknesses: Slipped on several satisfaction parameters. Employees expressed some disapproval on the appraisal process and support from seniors Employee Size 2004-05, 501

Cadence Design Systems (India) has always been a consistent performer in our survey. It slips marginally on employee satisfaction this year and manages a 'Four Star' ratings.

Sameer Wadhawan, director (HR)

With just 481 people at the close of FY 2004-05, Cadence is one of the smallest companies in the survey, which is understandable given its highly niche domain operation. The largest R&D site of its parent company develops some of the world's most sophisticated software for electronics design automation (EDA) and provides design and consulting services.

Like Rolta, Cadence too falters on HR score, but makes up on the employee satisfaction scorecard, to make it to the Top 5 in terms of composite score. It slips on all the parameters on the HR scorecard except training, where it comes (rank #2) just
behind Infosys. An issue of concern was the relatively low hikes given last fiscal, but being one of the highest paying companies, Cadence scored well on employee satisfaction on compensation.

Some areas of concern in future could be appraisal process (rank #4), people (rank #5) and training (rank #11). However, a reason to cheer is that few thought that these reasons were important enough for them to consider quitting the organization.

And compensation remains Cadence's biggest strength. At #2, it is marginally behind HCL Infosystems. But as our study revealed yet again that salary has ceased to be the most critical driver for retention today. Cadence might need to get its act together on some of the other satisfaction parameters. It continued to suffer as a brand as only 2% of the cross-company sample considered it as their 'Dream Company'.