Pros
Worked with the international marketing team. A superb group of dedicated, hard-working professionals who had to adapt to near constant changes and constraints. Everyone was hard working, putting OT when required to get projects launched. Design, development, sales and marketing team are all superb professionals. Communication between these teams was improving but still restricted due to not having a proper Project management system in place across the company as well as no weekly meetings to ensure department alignment. If you are adaptable and able to work under pressure or (under the radar) this might be the right company for you. It is international, so if you are looking for that opportunity, it may be available. But be aware head officer (HK) has the final say in everything the company does.
Cons
- No company clear structure or purpose. (a structure as show to me but was thrown out, and kept changing constantly) - No clear business goals, objectives or strategy. Senior management did not communicate down to middle and junior teams. There are no quarterly or annual goals. Only direct: "Just make me money". - Micro-Management from most senior stakeholder paralyzed teams efforts, freedom and creativity. This redirect effort towards spontaneous tasks that did nothing to drive any key results and substantial goals. Task/projects were assigned, pursued, presented with quotes for sign off and forgotten about on numerous occasions. No explanation was given, even with regular follow ups. - In contrast, reporting up is expected on a daily basis, with no monthly or bi-weekly review of results with the marketing team. Decision making is made on a daily spontaneous basis which detracts from a clear overall picture. - The only mode of communication the key stakeholder seems to know how to use effectively is screaming at whoever is in his office. This can be heard throughout the office. This causes teams difficulty to concentrate on key tasks and raises stress levels of surrounding teams. - One HUGE issue was centralized approvals and decision making. Nothing could be launched without direct approval from the main stakeholder. Depending on his availability, interest or other factors. This hindered the day to day delivery of projects. - Disrespect for people in meetings, key stakeholder smoked in almost every meeting I was in, including my interview. Meetings last for some times 3 hours, going through 2 to 3 cigarettes in 1 sitting, causing passive smoke inhalation and discomfort. - Staff turn around is high, no-one seems to last longer than 3 months tops. Most people find better positions with other companies. You may be working with someone one week, and the next week they have disappeared without notification from HR. Mid-project this can have knock-on consequences and extend deadlines. -Hiring is spontaneous and off the cuff, dependant upon the senior stakeholder's whim. My interview was 20 minutes long and was offered a job immediately. - Key senior stakeholder has a lack of key knowledge and unrealistic expectations of key digital areas, causing delays, confusion, miscommunication and frustration. from all parties involved. - Due to constant changes and spontaneous projects (even in the final stages of launch) it made getting things accomplished very difficult as in some cases we would have to go back to square 1.