"North Korea... Really?..." you say. Well, let's compare.
1) Family Monopoly, Generation to Generation
Company control is passed down from parent to child, generation to generation. Unfortunately this means the people in power do not have the experience nor intelligence that typical top executives are required to have.
The two grandsons (3rd Generation) are now in control as CEO and President of Merchandising respectively. The CEO brings in the qualifications comparable to a back alley sports bookie. The other plays serves as "Lennie" from 'Of Mice and Men'… always under the constant protection and sheltering of the CEO. Otherwise it would be disastrous.
2) Family Propaganda
As you stroll through the Lakeshore halls, it wouldn't take you long to find 'Family Tribute Art'. Company event posters, work anniversary buttons, employee awards, department signs, etc. All shameless opportunities to celebrate the Owners in cult-like fashion. Cartoon caricatures of the family are the cornerstone to most designs.
Lakeshore even finds a way to twist the most basic employee tributes to their own family's favor. Annual bonuses, a time to celebrate employee hard work, has been perverted into an annual suck-up celebration to the Owners. Each department must create elaborate “Thank You” posters in appreciation of their 'generosity'. Halls are lavishly decorated as if Caesar himself was returning to Rome. Then comes the Family Parade to pass out the bonus checks. Mindless applause, fake tears, dancing. The only thing missing is a pinkie-ring kiss worthy of the Pope (or Mafia Godfather).
3) Closed to Outsiders / Dissenters are silenced
Be prepared to "do", not think. The owners micromanage all strategies & decisions across every department, even if they have no experience on the matter. Department budgets are forbidden too. Therefore the sole reason for your job is to execute. Period. If the process is inefficient, shut up and do the job. If the project outcome is not best practice, shut up and do the job. If the design lacks a good customer experience, shut up and do the job. Oh, you have a problem with that? HR is waiting by the door holding a box of your possessions.
Needless to say, outside Managers / Directors / VPs are on a revolving door of early resignations and terminations. The inner circle of C-Levels & SVPs surrounding the owners are paranoid "YES men/women" with no shame, spine, or career ambition. They are completely content in being Executive Chambermaids at Chez Lakeshore until retirement.
4) No Integrity or Moral Compass
Lakeshore has a twisted view of "right and wrong" in how to treat employees.
Self-Centered Arrogance? Professional Ignorance? Who knows. Of course they'll boast about initiatives to improve work-life such as training programs, summer giveaways, and better break rooms. I suppose a Farmer could also list steps taken to improve his cattle's quality of life. But what is missing is the Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to understand what employees really want. To be treated with respect & trust, and to be seen as professionals... not children or cattle.
For example, salary raises are sent home in sealed envelopes to avoid "confrontations". Requests for an employee gym are "under consideration", meanwhile the owners enjoy their secret workout room in the building. Then there are the weekly car washes & detailing of the owners personal cars using warehouse employees. (Of course they aren’t courteous enough to do this discreetly on the back lot. Its done in front of the employee entrance.) Don't forget the 'mystery calculation' used to pay annual bonuses. Its "too complicated" for us simple folk to understand. Can't forget the parties too... the owners wives & kids are invited to every event, day or night. However, employees are told to attend alone. Lastly, North Korea isn't the only one with bombs. "F-Bombs" are dropped frequently by the owners in the face of anyone that doesn't do things to their satisfaction.
5) Revenue comes from the Government
Lakeshore sells high-priced educational materials considered "luxury" to most teachers. When the government pumps more money into schools, teachers can splurge on Lakeshore. However, when the government slashes funding, sales suffer. And that's when it gets interesting. Lakeshore is proud to admit its never had a "layoff". Instead, Heads of Departments are instructed to terminate their weakest employee for "under performance".
Unfortunately this company lives and dies by the politicians in office. And Lakeshore isn't ashamed to admit it. During the last election, the CEO stood at the all-employee meeting and suggested everyone "vote Hillary" since Democrats typically invest more in education.
6) Controlled Media
My personal favorite is how Lakeshore tries to suppress the truth to the rest of the world. When GlassDoor.com started to expose employee frustrations, their solution was... raise employee morale? Address the concerns? Nope. Have HR post FAKE reviews.
One after another after another... the 5-Star Fake Reviews kept going up until the GlassDoor rating was acceptable. Of course, HR isn't bright enough to write somewhat realistic reviews. “Cons: NONE! I love Lakeshore!” Really?
At one point, HR posted a Fake Review claiming to be a person on my team. It contained wrong titles, incorrect team details, and glowing praises for... you guessed it... the HR Dept. Hmmm. I cannot recall walking around my team hearing “the HR Dept. is my favorite part of Lakeshore!"
Conclusion:
If you just want to put your head down, not speak, crank out 8 work hours, go home, and cherish your 3% annual raise... you’ll have a 25-year anniversary parking sign waiting for you (with the owners' caricatures of course.)
