Old Boys’ Network - Delusional and Self-Important
Pros
Great coffee, and a beautiful office and view in a high rise building in North Hills in Raleigh. They gave a company foundation that is connected that the company donated dollar for dollar every contribution an employee makes via payroll.
Cons
This company is very out of touch with what is really going on. They tell stories of and tout the importance of their culture, and the culture is the biggest problem. They are terrible at training mid-level managers, and people that have been there forever are lazy, catty, rude, back-stabbing and not managed well. It’s a hostile environment full of underpaid miserable people waiting for their next “brick bonus” (a bonus paid to non-financial advisors when enough large clients are won, to supposedly incentivize those ‘working hard’). I do believe many folks work hard, but they are not only not rewarded because they haven’t “existed” long enough (tenure is huge here, not an employee’s actual value to the company). I have seen countless incredible dynamic, intelligent, awesome people go because they weren’t rewarded or regarded for the quality work they did. It was really surprising to me the first few times in happened. But then it was me. I don’t understand this phenomenon - it seems incredibly short-sighted and counterintuitive. But then again, it depends on what you’re focused on as a company leader I guess. I was floored by how much gossiping, back-stabbing, and catty behavior exists at such a seemingly professional company, started by someone I respect immensely (Fielding Miller, the CEO). It’s largely a facade. The upper echelon of management is either not aware, or is so focused on growth and acquisitions or drilling their advisors to sell services at all costs that they don’t see the company foundation eroding underneath them. The people left are not the best of the best. They are the barnacle survivors of a forlorn tale they’ve been told. Or a promise they were sold. That the end will justify the means.
