Progressive Business Publications Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – I can't think of a more exciting challenge for a writer than to work at Progressive Business Publications. You learn to write for extremely busy business professionals who don't have time and who by nature don't want to read. Business-to-business writing is different from any other kind of writing I've ever been exposed to -- and I think I've seen most of it in a 50-year writing and editing career. It's a tough craft to learn, but then again, it's like they say -- nothing easy in probably worth having.

Progressive Business Professionals serves business professionals with critical information for their jobs from Presidents and CEOs to administrative assistants and every other job function in between -- HR, Payroll, Sales, Safety and Environmental compliance management and others. Each audience has its own unique needs. Our writers are trained how to talk to these business professionals and then serve them by selecting the right information just for them from a variety of sources. We got a lot of satisfaction when we hear people tell us we've really helped them become more effective in their jobs. I never felt I had such a direct relationship with my audience when I used to work in general media like newspapers. It's challenging, but it's exhilarating at the same time!

Cons – traffic on US202 (construction seems to be everlasting) can be bad for the commute

Advice to Senior Management – think about work-life balance

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for more than a year

Pros – Progressive Business Publications is a company in it for the long-term. More than half of the employees have been around longer than 10 years. That says something. The company has made a huge success of print information, in an age when everyone else is struggling even with digital because of their quick-read, expert-to-expert business format. Others have posted, and it's absolutely true, that the culture is unique (by design) and entrepreneurial -- the job is really what you make of it. No one comes in with a list of job description bullets to follow. At Progressive Business Publications, you have to know your talents and how to leverage them.

Once they prove themselves, business owners become empowered to drive their areas, and there's no small amount of pressure to deliver. The culture is very flat, which makes for a vague hierarchy, but again that's by design. This combination of pressure and gray area is probably not for everyone. Decisions are debated and often determined by consensus. It's a model that has worked for the company time and again as they transitioned from print, into audio, and then into virtual training. Progressive Business Publications stresses the role of collaboration during their recruiting process, and they aren't kidding. It often has the energy of a start-up, but with long-time employees who act as mentors and coaches. Very unique place, very unique opportunity.

Cons – Not a lot of natural light in the HQ, except at the building edges. Would love an updated working space.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for less than a year

Pros – Progressive Business Publications is a very stable company, with a strong base of business, which allows them to aggressively pursue growth initiatives. As in any entrepreneurial environment, the job is really what you make of it, and is perfect for anybody who knows how to prioritize and go after the top 20% of opportunities. Expectations are high, and potential compensation is strong for those who make an impact.
Having grown up in the traditional print newsletter business, Progressive Business Publications has made aggressive strides in the digital and e-commerce spaces, creating brand new businesses that leverage its existing content and resources, and makes fast growth possible. If you know how to write a business plan and build a financial model, you can launch a business, and get to profitability much faster than in a traditional setup.
Business owners are empowered to make decisions, and are clearly on the hook for results. If you like and want true accountability, along with all of the authority to make it happen, this is for you. This is not a place for anybody who wants to coast along.
During the hiring process, the recruiter and everybody I met with stressed the company's culture and values. I was honestly skeptical as to how far these went within the company, and am happy to say that there is a consistency in this, across all levels and departments. Progressive Business Publications hires smart and talented people, who are also driven and respectful. Don't get me wrong...there is plenty of healthy debate and productive conflict, so you should be comfortable with this, and know that it makes for better business.

Cons – The fast pace of growth initiatives makes for some difficult prioritization discussions and resourcing. As with most companies, this impacts IT work, which can create resourcing issues. This is being actively addressed with stronger project management and ownership of initiatives.
Also, not a con for me, but if you're looking for a job where you just show up and leave at the appointed times, this is not for you. You will work hard, and have high expectations put on you, so be prepared.

Advice to Senior Management – Maintain the balance of high expectations with the empowerment to make it happen, and I'll stick around.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Progressive Business Publications as an intern for less than a year

Pros – I interned here while still in college and learned a ton about how company culture can shape the success of a company. I was surrounded by intelligent and passionate professionals who work as a team and exemplify qualities of good leaders. Couldn't have asked for a better internship and although I never worked at PBP full time - the experience certainly set me up for success down the line.

Cons – The commute was a little far for me.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – PBP has a great culture. People are friendly and great to work with. It has a entrepreneurial spirit and is constantly driving towards the next big project, which keeps things interesting.

Cons – Sometimes too many projects going on at once can cause a logjam and be particularly difficult on IT.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for more than a year

Pros – I had the opportunity to work with so many first-rate, talented individuals - many of whom have become lifelong friends.

Cons – For starters, the salary situation was not what it was presented to be. I was hired at a very low salary but told it could be bumped up pending a successful probationary period of 6 months. That turned out to be 100% false, and management later denied any such statement.

In the editorial department, the company sets salaries based on a hire's past salary, not based on the actual value of the job function. So you can have 10 people doing the exact same job and some of them are making 3 or 4 times what other peers in the exact same job are making. Because I had come from a geographic location where cost of living and average salaries were significantly lower, I was pinned to that salary, rather than being offered a rate more appropriate for the region. I would not have accepted the job had I not been led to believe that my salary would be adjusted to a more appropriate level once I had proven myself.

All in all, the employment experience was unpleasant. Every opportunity was taken to browbeat editors for the financial performance of their publications, while flatly denying the influence of all other mitigating factors such as the economy or shortcomings on the part of sales or marketing.

Progressive was presented as such a fantastic place to work, no BS, no politics. But that turned out to be exactly what it was all about. It took me about three months to realize what a complete bill of goods I'd been sold at the outset. Morale was horrendous. The main reason that we developed such strong bonds with each other was because of our shared misery and our need to find things to laugh about just to get through each day. Management stroked their pets and kicked the rest. Editorial decisions were sometimes made by the arbitrary whim of a company president who seemed to be only loosely tethered to reality (quite literally). Unfortunately, this fact was badly compounded by a company-wide case of "Emperor's New Clothes." Middle and upper management took great pains to avert their eyes and act as if all of these incidents were perfectly normal.

Advice to Senior Management – Pay people for their work. Stop being yes-men and stand up for your editors. Stop gender discrimination. Stop pregnancy discrimination. Stop punishing people for things they have no control over. And above all, do not LIE to job candidates.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – Progressive Business Publications is the type of place where you can learn the skills to advance your career. You will be given stretch assignments - and be provided the ownership to the work you are involved with. The people are friendly and the culture is team-oriented and encouraging.

Cons – It is not a good place for people who want to hide - and not take accountability for their actions. People like this will have trouble succeeding.

Advice to Senior Management – None

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications full-time for less than a year

Pros – After working for several years for a great small company, I was both excited and apprehensive about taking a new job at a large company like Progressive Business Publications. Much of my concern centered on my ability to quickly adjust to a situation where I would be relying heavily on others to complete tasks I had been used to doing on my own. However, my fears were soon allayed by the thorough onboarding process used by Progressive Business Publications. My department Director and the Onboarding Manager (unique and valuable position) have been great in getting me assimilated with the day-to-day activities associated with my job. However, it was the "Traditions" program which I found to be most valuable in my assimilation process.

"Traditions" is an intensive onboarding program that covers a number of different subjects. These include a company history and "lay of the land," a primer on interpersonal and departmental interactions, detailed coaching on effective work habits and significant time spent on team-building. The program took place over five weeks, meeting one morning per week. In all, it was without question the most valuable internal training experience in my 15 year career.

Cons – Nothing related to onboarding or actual work, but it does get pretty cold in our office. HVAC in an open space is tough to regulate...not much of problem.

Advice to Senior Management – Engage employees in a yearly update so the company can measure the impact of the program after employees have settled in. This could already happen...I just haven't been here long enough.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications part-time for more than 7 years

Pros – My job is rewarding. I know the work I do is benefiting various types of individuals and therefore organizations all over the country. Everyday is different for me so it keeps it fresh. While every job has a sense of monotony, the nature of what we do – providing educational materials to business minded folk – provides enough variety to keep it interesting. I am well respected by my boss and I am never micro-managed. While I am guided, I have found that in this company, if you are organized and good with time management you will be treated as the adult you should be in a corporate setting. You are set up for success and led to make “executive decisions” which also makes for a better work environment. Holding employees accountable for their decisions, creativity, and behavior is essential to a successful company.

A lot of companies preach an “open door policy” but I must stress how true this is at PBP. I always feel I am “heard” when I have an idea, propose a process, or simply voice my opinion about how I perceive something happening in the office or company. That to me is the most important part of any job.

Cons – As with every job, of course it has its "cons". Our area in the building is very cold everyday, no matter the weather outside. We do have a space heater though. Also, who doesn’t want to make more money? I have had wage increases as I have moved up and into various positions with different responsibilities but of course I hope to get more responsibility eventually and therefore make more money.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Progressive Business Publications as a contractor for more than 7 years

Pros – Flexible Schedule, You get paid for the effort you put in and the process is very understanding and easy to work with.

Cons – Bad employees fudging the system to make themselves orders and hurting the companies reputation.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the hard work, the employees that are there every day are well worth your effort. Do not let the individuals that make snap decisions of the company with out having all the facts bother you.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company