Short answer: You don't.

First, a manager is not in charge of determining corporate strategy. They are in charge of making sure employees implement it. Strategy is done at the senior executive level (CEO, Pres, VP's) and implementation is done at the director level.

Second, whatever your manager shared with you that wasn't public knowledge would be considered "Insider information" and if you were to trade on it (rather than accepting a job), it would subject both you and them to a whole boatload of hurt from regulating authorities.

If you're concerned about the company's short and long-term plans, go find their last 8K or 10K filing's press call (usually available in the "Investor Relations" section of their website) and listen to what the senior execs told the financial analysts and press. That's the only place you're going to get a valid answer to that question.

Short answer: You don't.

First, a manager is not in charge of determining corporate strategy. They are in charge of making sure employees implement it. Strategy is done at the senior executive level (CEO, Pres, VP's) and implementation is done at the director level.

Second, whatever your manager shared with you that wasn't public knowledge would be considered "Insider information" and if you were to trade on it (rather than accepting a job), it would subject both you and them to a whole boatload of hurt from regulating authorities.

If you're concerned about the company's short and long-term plans, go find their last 8K or 10K filing's press call (usually available in the "Investor Relations" section of their website) and listen to what the senior execs told the financial analysts and press. That's the only place you're going to get a valid answer to that question.

EDIT: Follow-up to question edits

Not wanting to get to pedantic about corporate financials, but are you certain you're looking at revenues, and not profits? The "bottom line" number could be misleading as they may be amortizing capital expenditures, or other issues. The number I would recommend looking at quarter-over-quarter is EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). In the end, though, there are only two questions that really matter:

1. Is my position secure?
2. Will my paycheck clear the bank?

Number 1 is always a toss-up. A merger, buyout, or corporate restructuring can cut you even in the most successful of companies.

Number 2 is not going to be a problem in a publicly traded company. You may get laid off suddenly, but stiffed on pay (almost) never happens.