Limited Mobility:
One of the drawbacks I experienced was the lack of mobility within the organization. Opportunities for advancement or lateral movement were limited, making it difficult to grow within the company.
Interdepartmental Challenges:
There were noticeable difficulties between the sales team and the product development/install and creative teams. The blame game often took precedence over collaborative problem-solving, which sometimes hindered the focus on customer benefits.
IT and Administrative Red Tape:
Dealing with the IT team often involved a lot of red tape, which could be frustrating. Additionally, despite being a small company, there were constant blocks and approvals required from higher-ups that slowed down processes and decision-making.
Lack of Diversity:
The company lacked diversity, particularly within the sales team, which was predominantly female except for leadership roles. This imbalance often led to the sales team being treated more like secretaries than valued professionals, impacting team morale and overall job satisfaction.
Market Challenges and Layoff:
I was disappointed to be laid off, but I understood it was due to competitive struggles within the current real estate market, affecting our franchise customers' ability to open new locations. This impacted our ability to bring on new clients and maintain a robust pipeline for current and potential clients.