Once on the Edge, Now on the Ledge - Anonymous employee ComFrame Employee Review

1.0
11 May 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

In its time ComFrame was one of THE best consulting firms in the Southeastern US. I would rate any of its architects in the late 90's on a par with Martin Fowler and his contemporaries. Software development knowledge, especially Java development, innovation, and pride of workmanship made it a wonderful place to work. It had a real sense of purpose and that giddy start-up feel. Some of the people who gave it that feel, very few, are still there. Being able to work with them can be a tremendous reward. The good news is that the recession all but gutted the organization, which means if they can get back on their feet, there may be abundant opportunity for a self-starter.

Cons

All of the things that made ComFrame a great place to work all but vanished in the run up to the "great recession". The company's hiring practices and overall strategy had little or no apparent discipline. As a result, many costly initiatives, both personnel and project-based (poorly managed product development initiatives, thin-veneer frameworks that were really just "thud" and "vapor" ware), did not pay off. A litany of upper management changes, revolving doors, and recycling of talent created a directionless environment full of fiefdoms. Positions were created and titles distributed, stupid acronyms, buzz words, and false starts in just about every imaginable technical direction abounded. The culture shifted from one of technical innovation based on high margin quality delivery engagements to cash-strapped technical trick turning. Given an environment in which their projects would be sold at cut rates to impossible deadlines in order to simply keep the company afloat, the organization's talent began to seek alternatives. The vacuum of qualified delivery personnel had the effect of creating dissatisfied clients which in turn has led to even more financial difficulties for the organization.

Explore other reviews about ComFrame

5.0
30 Mar 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great Benefits, Great People, The economy downturn afftected all services companies and ComFrame was not different.

Cons

Layoffs during the downturn afftected the moral of the employees

1.0
9 Jun 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company has reasonably good benefits.

Cons

The company is extremely disorganized; with little or no coordination or communication from management. They go as the wind blows with no corporate vision or direction. They are known for putting all their eggs into one basket. If a major account fails, the entire company suffers. Early in their history they saw themselves as having a "mystique", vaguely defined by its strength of IT resources and overall talent pool, along with a focus on Java as a leading-edge technology. Now, even internally they recognize they have lost their mystique. The reasons for this are primarily due to a short-term vision, a body-shop mentality, an addiction to short life-cycle, minimal-resource Microsoft Sharepoint gigs, and a total loss of community recognition as a player in longer-term, mission critical projects.

3
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