The merger between SBC and Ameritech generated a great deal of excitement among company employees. "I love working for a global communications firm that's very aggressive," said one worker. "Telecommunications is a great field to be in right now, and it's a nice feeling to be working for a leader within the industry," says another. A third SBC insider seems unbounded in his optimism: "I expect that in five years there will be only four or five major telecom companies in the world and that SBC will definitely be one of the dominant players."

Rewarding performers

Insiders say pay and perks at SBC are fair but not outstanding. "Compensation at SBC rewards performers but also provides the flexibility to take care of people during extraordinary circumstances," says one. "At times we find certain top performers are earning below the general market. But management does have the flexibility to recognize this and correct it. In any case, this isn't the norm."

All business?

For SBC employees working in the company's San Antonio hub, pressure to succeed drives a day's work. "I work in headquarters in San Antonio and the culture here is conservative, buttoned-down, and all business. People are driven to increase the value of the company and we are evaluated on that basis," says one employee.