Things I saw but initially discounted as unique - but weren't:
- At its core, Showpad has no real value prop and the ROI conversation is non-existent. Nobody has heard of it, nobody needs it, and nobody sees why they should pay for it. There is just simply no way to underscore how clear this problem is because it is the basis of every conversation. If employees can’t clearly communicate to customers why they should pay for this product, then when they churn (which they will), it’s no surprise to anyone. The C-suite and other leaders will feign shock, but they know. Or they should. Either way - inexcusable.
- Reps are not held responsible for missing quotas - it’s amazing how the low-performing AEs just live on in what’s supposedly a sales organization. Never seen that before - or since. Not how the world works.
- Get used to hearing that “leadership cares” which of course they do not, as evidenced by multiple layoffs (after saying there wouldn't be any more - which is doubly insulting: first to continue to lie and conduct layoffs after you say you won't, second to have the hubris to say there won't be any more layoffs when of course any seasoned leader knows you cannot/should not ever state that unequivocally).
Continually losing business through customer churn (top reason: Showpad not only NOT an essential or of vital importance, it’s not even secondary - it is an option that’s quite easy to remove and therefore is a line item on a marketing budget that is readily removed).
- “Company culture” or any level of communication is non-existent but again, it kinda tracks when you have a disspirited, disheartened, disenfranchised, and frightened leadership team just waiting for the next ax to fall.
- Middle management is filled with people who don’t have the experience (business or life or any combination thereof) to lead the teams they oversee and never tell employees what’s really going on - if they even know. What’s worse is they’re not even aware enough to know they are inexperienced, and are easily threatened by team members with actual experience. Again inexcusable either way. Regular promotions for those who are in the in crowd but not based on merit, tenure, work product or any of the usual business metrics.
- Micromanagement on a massive scale. What’s going on globally at Showpad is goals are unmet, growth is unachieved, and targets are unhit. When everyone is fearful of the future, they often tend to become more controlling and excessively detail-oriented in their own personal microcosm; in other words, mass micromanagement. This makes leadership feel they are actively participating, while simultaneously creating their own job security, but what’s happening is this plan is actually driving out any thoughtful, productive people who don’t want to be babysat while causing major heartburn to anyone remaining. Things like emotional intelligence, trust, integrity, empathy, continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic thinking have no place here - they can't afford such luxuries.
- Beware the word “feedback” because it is a trap. There is no positive reinforcement - any feedback will be negative, just prepare yourself for that.
