Boutique communications consultancy run by poor management and offering little to no job growth.
Pros
*Flexible working conditions, ability to work remotely *Clients include major Fortune 500 and large private companies. Direct face time with client senior management at all consultant levels. *Posh offices in downtown Chicago with nice amenities. * Ideal for mid-career communications consultants with pre-existing client relationships that wish to work at a smaller boutique company vs. a big consultancy.
Cons
* CEO is a poor manager. Very micromanaging and control-oriented. Not a "people person" and extremely difficult to work with on a team (and as a junior level person, you will work on teams with her). She is never in the office, and expects 24/7 attention at all times for non-mission critical issues (generally expect 4 am panicky emails from her). * Co-owner is very removed from the business and non-responsive or engaged. * No neutral third party HR-type rep to handle conflict resolution. CEO and co-owner are source of many issues at work and there is no way to mitigate these issues since there is no one else to turn to with authority. * Lack of open communication among small staff. Often felt like only person in the office, outside the admins. * No processes, policies, or controls in place. Very disorganized work environment. Each consultant has his/her own way of handling projects and deliverables. Deadlines are never met and business operates under constant crisis/whiplash mode. * Payscales, promotions, pay increases, etc. are undefined. No clear path for job promotion or advancement. * Client relationships are hotly guarded by owning sr. consultants. Little opportunity to develop client relationships as a junior person. * Not a young environment. Most staff is in 40s and 50s, usually with families. Not recommended for anyone under 40. * Not a great place to launch career. Consultants operate in their own sphere of orbits, sharing office space but not much else. Little to no professional development opportunities. No autonomy or trust to anyone junior. * Administrative staff is helpful but abused by consultants. * Not very forward-looking company - no defined mission or vision. No real emphasis on technology improvement, and no defined corporate philosophy/ideals. Overall, the company is a collection of freelance consultants that pool office space resources. * Financials are in disarray. Many within company have expressed that a shut down of operations is likely in the next couple of years due to financial mismanagement on the part of leadership.
