Job Title: Business Manager
Location: Vienna, VA
Submitted on: 26-Jun-03
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With the rapid expansion, the company is definitely trying to keep up
the internal organization with that pace. However, problems crop up
more and more and the company has become less attractive in many ways
compared to its high-growth years. First, it does seem to have many
telents, but primarily focused on data analysis field. This provides an
edge in its IBS (information-based strategy), but afforded failure in
its effort to expand into niche and affinity markets. Second, many
managers are cocky, inexperienced due to quick internal promotion. The
immaturity resulted in large amount of re-org, many times messy and
having negative impact on morale. Also, the recent slowing in its
growth meant career advancement opportunity is much less. Third, often
positions and org structures are defined very unclearly. The good
aspect you can say is it "inspires" entrepreneurship. The bad aspect is
it reflects poor management. Fourth, bureaucracy is building up
quickly. For a case to pass, you have to present 3,4, or 5 times to get
final approval. You are told to prepare PowerPoint in a certain format
to suit different levels of managers' taste, which is time-consuming and
counter-productive. Fifth, it's a hostile environment for new comers,
especially if you come at a middle level. Nobody will coach you when
you are faced with numerous CapOne jargons and if you need a little time
to adjust, you are done. Sixth, generally you need to be a white male
and know politics to advance to senior management. Seventh, it's a
place with many (probably too many) talents, and they are often not
fully utilized (i.e., 1+1<2). Eighth, the twice-a-year performance
measurement is contentious to say the least. It's a "cultural
revolution" people claim their interests. Forced distribution mixed
with a powerful manager's favorites could make you crazy. Finally the
culture within the firm is strong and apparently favors only one type of
employee - people who can speak loud and make their voice heard; people
who do the thing quickly but probably not the best (particularly middle
management and under). If you are a quiet doer, and do not know how to
play the politics, this is NOT your place.
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