SmartAcre Reviews

3.9

66% would recommend to a friend

(14 total reviews)

David Snyder

100% approve of CEO

62% positive business outlook

Reviews by job title

14 reviews
2.0
1 Dec 2017

Great at First, Then it Hits You

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Unlimited vacation. Opportunity to work from home. Fun events and culture.

Cons

Underpaid and terribly overworked employees. It's like a sweatshop for marketing professionals. Leaders are from Bethlehem, PA, so they spend tons of money going to visit clients at the Denver office. They stay in expensive hotels and get drunk on company money. When you realize that they are wasting money on fancy hotels and bars only because you and all of your fellow employees are underpaid, it's upsetting. They promised promotions to almost every worker and they never got promoted. CEO can be a jerk and lash out at random times. You basically need to teach yourself how to do everything because the turnover rate is so high so no one knows what they're doing. Would not recommend this to anyone looking for a long-term job, you'll be a mess and realized you made a bad decision after about a year of working there. They want you to have a good work/life balance, but it's hard to do that when you have to come in early and stay late every day just to finish all of your work you have - and then they hire more clients!

avatar
SmartAcre Response
8y
Thank you for your feedback. Our leadership is always listening to our team to improve. It has been a year of extreme growth with our new team in Denver, and supporting the continued stream of clients who want to be a part of the great work you/our teams are doing. We strive to ensure that everyone is supported, has a clear growth path, and is appropriately recognized with competitive compensation and benefits. Our leadership team acts with integrity and the increased travel to the new office was required and responsibly budgeted for. This has been beneficial for new and existing team members, providing the chance to travel, and lead and collaborate across offices, teams and clients. While we do not agree that all of your claims here are factual, we understand there is room the agency to continually improve. We are disappointed to hear about your experience, and we will use this feedback to improve. Facts for others considering working at SmartAcre: - In 2017 promotions were given to 8 different employees. - 12 raises were given based on performance in 2017. - 100% of employees were/will be given year-end bonuses in 2016 and 2017. - Medical coverage options were expanded and employee cost was reduced to as little as 10% of monthly premiums for 2017 through 2018. - Employer 401k contributions were raised from 3% to 6% based on team performance in 2016. - On average over the last 12 months employees were able to enjoy 16 days of vacation in addition to 13 paid holidays. - SmartAcre employees were able to travel to 11 different states to meet clients and/or attend 12 conferences or training events in 2017. - SmartAcre continues to formalize training including certifications and support from 6 different technology partners. - A dedicated HR resource and professional services firm will be introduced to employees beginning January 2018. - In a recent best places to work in PA survey, overall SmartAcre scored 88% vs the 92% state average (which we will continue to work to improve).
2.0
27 Mar 2018

Great team mixed with chaotic leadership

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The core team is smart and ready to work hard for clients. It's rewarding to execute campaigns for clients and watch them succeed or have a great meeting with their leadership. Clients are typically super thankful for the help that the team provides. It's nice to work with a team of people who understand marketing. If you can deal with the senior leadership, this is a great resume builder. There is an opportunity to learn all aspects of marketing - SEO, PPC, lead and demand gen, content, and more. It's great to add those skills to your expertise. Office setup is good. Everyone gets Macs and what they need to get the job done. You make a lot of great connections with interesting companies and people.

Cons

Two main things standout: abrasive, misleading leadership and employee turnover. Senior leaders request transparency from team members, but don't follow through on their side as well. People walk on eggshells because senior leaders lash out unexpectedly and share their opinions of team members with that person's peers. There is a culture of fear because when team's present ideas or plans to senior leadership, they hear "Do you really think this is good?" or "It's not... horrible." Then, when you ask what they are looking for instead, "I don't know, but it's not that." The environment is one of "Do as I say, not as I do" and it starts from the top down. Senior leaders fail to recognize their own faults and continue to blame their problems on others. Meanwhile, clients are leaving and employees are unhappy. The employee turnover is intense. Anyone that has been in a good environment before and is competitive in the market won't stay long. It's just not worth the time and energy. There are other agencies that offer similar experience and less of the drama. Because of so many people leaving, employees are left to pick up the pieces and are pushed into projects that they don't understand or don't have the skills for. Very little skills training since there is too much work.

1.0
11 Jan 2018

I still have PTSD.

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- The location. - The salary is fair.

Cons

- There is zero training. - Sink or swim mentality. - They use shame tactics and intimidation to get work out of people. - If you don't know how to do something their answer is "google it". - They take on clients without the ability to support them. - Zero work-life balance.

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