Ask Questions - Video Department Manager SMC National Employee Review

2.0
14 Feb 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Insurance, 401K match, Work from home, 9/80 work week (if it applies to you, I was told I wasn't eligible even though I was FT employee)

Cons

Trying too hard to look hip and relevant. Company culture is important- everyone wants the perks like work from home, short week, or flex hours, but those things become less appealing when you spend the majority of your time putting out client fires and checking off tasks that are unnecessary and irrelevant. Looking to work here? Ask a few questions: 1.) How long does the average CSM, sales person, web developer, designer or video team member last? Why? Look at the employee stats. Yes, the NUMBER of people in the company has increased, but employee retention is poor. People come in enthusiastic and optimistic genuinely wanting to make a difference but simply adding numerically with no structure, vision or purpose does not mean you’re business is growing or successful. 2.) Who are some of your biggest clients, and how long have they been with the company? Inquire about client retention and satisfaction. Yes, they acquired some notable clients based on the personality and charisma of the leader, but many found the follow through lacking. Lots of promises with little support. 3.) How do you handle conflict? Growth, whether in staff or increased clients tests limits, pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo. Severe lack of organization (somewhat expected of a start up) and shortsighted goals were disappointing. Conflict uncovered areas that needed to be addressed and when challenged, leadership was not equipped to handle it. Instead, they tossed the problems to people who were not qualified, trained or prepared to manage it while they went off to pursue different passions (podcast/marketing app). Processes and protocol changed from the “available”, “I’ve got your back” “we’re in this together” boss and leader who did weekly one on one check ins to stay connected, to someone who was unavailable, ghosted meetings, and dodged emails, calls and texts. Leadership needs to recognize that resolving conflict in a professional manner rather than avoiding it or passing the buck will not only earn you the respect of your employees, but increase the morale, culture and longevity of your team.

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SMC National Response
4y
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. We appreciate your candor and pay close attention to this sort of feedback. Building a happy team where everyone looks out for one another is our top priority. We do our best to live up to that goal and are thrilled to work with such a talented, excited group of folks whose collective brilliance also plays a big role in why our client retention rate is three times the industry average. That being said, we hear clearly that we have let you down. When you started with us, we were a small company, and our CEO, Gary, was directly involved in managing everyone on board. Since then, we have tripled in size. This has been messy! We’ve failed more than once and our team has had to scramble to pick up the pieces. During this process, Gary also began focusing more on our long-term development. He delegated most of his responsibilities over business operations and was much less available as a day-to-day manager. We understand that as a result, you feel like Gary and the rest of our leadership team broke your trust and didn’t give you the support you were counting on. Please know that we regret that and are sorry. Thank you for all of your excellent work on our behalf. We’re grateful and wish you the best of luck.

Explore other reviews about SMC National

5.0
22 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I love working with SMC National. They are organized and proactive in their approach to cutting edge strategies. Our leadership is constantly navigating the areas we can adjust to make the experience better for both the client and employees. As a Registered Dental Hygienist and former Practice Administrator working directly with dentists to growth their practice through marketing with operational support of the key driver, is incredible. I love that I get to work remotely and feel supported by my colleaguse despite not being in a common workspace.

Cons

I don't have any cons. I think its really easy to focus on the bad when your an employee but I have been in leadership prior to SMC and I can directly see the effort and intention here at SMC. No complaints here!

5.0
22 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

SMC National offers a unique combination of autonomy, professional growth, and a supportive culture. One of the biggest perks is the 9/80 schedule, which provides excellent work-life balance while still allowing you to be highly productive. The culture is collaborative, positive, and focused on helping both employees and clients succeed. The team is made up of like-minded individuals who genuinely care about delivering results and making a difference for the dental practices we serve. Another standout benefit is the extensive resource library. There are endless tools, training materials, coaching resources, and continuing education opportunities available for both clients and team members. The company invests heavily in helping employees grow professionally while also equipping them with resources that drive client success and practice growth. If you're someone who enjoys ownership, accountability, and the ability to make an impact, you'll appreciate the level of autonomy and trust given to employees.

Cons

The environment is fast-paced and can be demanding at times. Team members are often responsible for managing multiple client accounts simultaneously, which requires strong organizational skills, prioritization, and the ability to adapt quickly. For those who thrive in a high-performance environment, this can be energizing, but it may be challenging for individuals who prefer a slower pace or more structured workloads.

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