In short;
- The pay was derisory, even by agency standards
- Management very much played favourites - for example, there was a waiting list for parking spaces on the company. On at least two occasions though, new starters were immediately given parking spots at the Marketing Director's instruction.
- 'Junior' staff weren't valued/were made to feel expendable
- Because of the above, staff turnover was high. A big deal was made about the average length of service being 3 years. The only reason that's true though is because the higher-ups stay becvause they're valued while the 'junior' members of staff leave for something better-paying where they are valued more pretty quickly.
- Because the company focuses on getting lots of low-value clients in rather than a handful of clients with high retainer fees, the Sales team are treated like rockstars. At no point did senior managmeernt ever seem to realise that, yeah, the Sales team get the clients in but it's the talent and hard work of efveryone else that keeps the clients on board.
- Employee concerns and grievances aren't dealt with.
- Having spoken to other business owners around Greater Manchester since, the company doesn't have a good reputation - one MD said to me recently "I've heard a good thing said about them" - and the Sales team's calls are considered to be a nuisance.
Frankly, it baffles me that the company seems to be growing.