Let me begin at the actual ugly nature of this so-called culture they have built:
1. If you were part of the "founding committee", you have the right to come late, come drunk, come yelling & create unnecessary ruckus, come smelling like an entire pack of cigarettes, or even come for an hour or two & disappear.
2. Promotions/appraisals are all subject to how much an employee grovels at the feet of said founding committee, or other absurd notions of "bonding personally" with the top bosses (bonus points if you smoke with them)
3. Dont expect comfort from the SENIOR MOST members because, a) they know EVERYTHING, and b) they excel at lame excuses instead of actually coming up with solutions. (Again, diplomatic immunity from all discomfort for said committee)
4. Be prepared for unexpected firing/team dissolving/random shuffling/and being singled out because of unexplained factors (case numbers have risen significantly in recent months with "bottom" performers being ejected unceremoniously)
5. If you revel in gossip, thou shalt be exalted. If you remain a recluse, be ready to be ousted from every social group that is formed inside, because partying with the right people gets you more brownie points than real hard work.
6. The work itself is not just mundane & repetitive, but the amount of arrogance that goes into each project is ghastly! Facts are faked, projections haphazard, realistic approaches denied and for lack of better resources & paid data hosts, a fair amount of imagination works just fine!
7. Be warned: A single error (often pointed out by clients) is enough to attract the wrath of the exhumed leaders (who themselves cater to Thier whims & fancies, watch Videos online or gossip all day). However, when finding innovative approaches or achieving something worth commemorating, all you receive is an impersonal certificate or cash. The actual effort goes unnoticed in the hulabaloo of cramming wild statements into the next project.
8. Survival of the fittest: Weaker associates stand no chance. You either need to be a bully, a diva, a politician, or just plain evil to succeed.
9. Timelines? Be advised, enter a typing course, because even if u have a 1000 WPM speed, you will fall short. A DAY at max, is what you receive to create a "world-class report". Overlapping projects? No problem Sir, I'll just attach my other two robotic arms & carry on.
10. Market Research tools are just Word & Excel. Given enough time & resources, one can make thier reports at home (display of quality?) & still suffer less. Claims of work-life balance are propagated to lure you in, but 16 hours a day, and work on weekends makes you forget you even have a life outside.
The best part is, if you work well, mentors dump the entire effort on you (including duties beneath your stature), and yet you face the wrath & receive undue blame. it's easier to work less hard, pretend to be tired and unwell, because those who shirk thier responsibilities are better off than the hardworkers.