Far from the external branding facade - Account Manager Forrester Employee Review

1.0
19 Jan 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Travel opportunity (pre-covid) in the form of Kick-offs and if you qualify for offshore training - Benefits (healthcare, telephone bill, work related expenses)...warning! pay is below industry and competitor standards - The way the company approached WFH during the pandemic, the CPO really is a wonderful person - Intelligent people

Cons

Where do I begin! The relentless cliqueyness of offices and teams is really a major problem. "Country Managers" or even team leaders are very biased to staff who are on their "list" and ostracize those who aren't. Diversity wise, yes some offices have a diverse background of people but the core culture alienates anyone who isn't like the majority. Open racism and instances of religion based negative slurs happened more than 1 time while being employed. A diversity council was formed to "combat and educate" staff about diversity but they have a massive road ahead. Your bonus which becomes vital to your finances (pay being so low compared to competitors) is at the whim of the manager which looks at their budget and chooses who they like more to receive a bigger cut. Career ascension and opportunities are based on whether the director or manager likes you personally. There was instances where projects and big internal brand opportunities were given based on personal bias rather than merit or willingness to actually do the job. HR is in most instances either the manager who is instigating this clique culture or are close friends with the perpetrator. I reported to the manager multiple incidents and feelings of being bullied and ostracized and was to believe that that person would never do such a thing and that I was at fault. Even being told to harden the you know what up....very professional! Culture of cyber stalking and looking at peoples personal social media to judge and gossip about them is a massive problem. Separate chat and WhatsApp groups that are used solely to isolate others has to be a HR issue right!? "Senior Management" openly show bias towards some who they see as drinking buddies and openly disclude others from vital comms, office related events and social occasions which can be used to build better bonds internally.

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Forrester Response
5y
I'm disappointed that you left us with so many significant concerns. The environment you describe is unacceptable in many ways, and I would like to learn more about your specific experiences. If you're comfortable, please come talk with me. You can always reach me at skottmann@forrester.com. Thank you, Sherri

Explore other reviews about Forrester

5.0
1 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Forrester is a truly rewarding place to work. I feel like I make a meaningful difference every day, both for our clients and within the organization. The colleagues here are exceptional. They are smart, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. I’m constantly learning from a talented group of people who care deeply about the quality of their work and the impact it has. The culture encourages thoughtful problem-solving, professional growth, and doing work that matters.

Cons

The most challenging aspect right now is the current business performance, which can create uncertainty and added pressure across teams. At times, this environment can impact workloads, decision-making speed, and overall predictability.

2
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Forrester Response
1mo
Thank you for your many years of contribution to Forrester ! I’m really glad to hear how strongly you feel about your colleagues and the impact of the work. It's wonderful to see the combination of thoughtful problem-solving, collaboration, and meaningful outcomes reflected in your experience. You’re also right to call out the challenges of the current business environment. Periods of change and performance pressure can create uncertainty, and I know that can impact workload, pace, and predictability. I am confident we are on the right path towards growth this year and it wouldnt have been possible without great colleagues like you. Thank you again for your candid feedback, it means a great deal coming from someone with such deep experience at Forrester. Jobina Gonsalves Chief People Officer
3.0
23 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Smart people work here, work-life balance is ideal if you have a good manager.

Cons

Morale is low, leadership is extremely out of touch with the sentiments of the workforce.

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