Pros
From the first interaction, it's obvious that i360 is about far more than technical skills. The culture of this place is different, and that difference runs far deeper than just the political perspective. The company leaders really take the guiding principles of MBM to heart, and strive to cultivate a climate that actively nurtures those principles.
At i360, entrepreneurial thinking is not only encouraged, but expected. Questioning existing practices is the norm, and you should expect both to challenge and to be challenged. Here, ideas are judged on their potential to create value, not on the basis of from whose mouth they first found utterance. Hand in hand with that mindset, you will find an equal emphasis on collaborative work. This place is not about hierarchy or office politics; it's about groups of intelligent, passionate individuals working together to deliver continually greater value to colleagues and clients.
This is not to say that i360 lacks structured organization or leadership; rather that this is not the place for the thin-skinned, puffed-up, humility-lacking prima donnas that are too prevalent in the technical world. Being smarter than everyone else just doesn't carry a lot of weight here if you aren't interested in learning from your colleagues. One of the best lessons I have learned (and continue to learn daily) is that my ideas, however strongly held or rooted in "best practices", are NOT the only way--or maybe even the best way--to solve a particular technical problem. Learning never stops, and humility really is an important virtue--for these two constant reminders I am grateful.
Interacting with departmental leaders and executives has consistently reinforced my respect for and trust in them. Of course no one is perfect, but I am impressed with their ability to balance their commitments to accomplishing the tasks at hand with genuine concern for the happiness of the employees. I have been around the block a few times, and I sincerely appreciate the genuine respect shown to the employees here.
Monthly all-hands meetings feature catered lunches from great local restaurants, the refrigerators are stocked with soda and sparkling and regular bottled water, and coffee, tea, and (mostly) healthy snacks abound. Plus, any meeting held during lunchtime generally means company-provided lunch as well. And did I mention there's food?
Off-election-cycle years are dedicated to researching and implementing technology improvements and upgrades, so there is a regular opportunity for individuals to sharpen the saw and keep their skills up-to-date.
There's also a concerted effort, particularly among the younger crowd, to engage in social and leisure activities, from fantasy football leagues, to office teams in local recreational sports leagues, to after-work games and happy hours.
As alluded to above, i360 is not for everyone. In some ways, it is not unlike the parable of the wedding guests in Matthew 22 (and apparently the man without wedding clothes has already written his own review). But for those who make it through the unusual approach to interviewing, who are passionate about liberty and about using technology to further it, and who are about "we" rather than"me", i360 just might feel a little bit like the kingdom of heaven.
Cons
The hours are long as the election draws near, but that's the nature of any job tied to the election cycle.
The absence of dedicated business analysts sometimes leaves gaps in product requirements that necessitate additional back-and-forth.
