Active Network Reviews

Pros

Overall, not that many pros. One thing I can think of is that you are allowed to wear jeans and comfortable clothing at work. Some coworks are great and normally those are the ones who carry everyone else weight.

Cons

If you are going to be working in the Accounting department, say good bye to your normal life. Hours are really long and what you are asked to do, doesn't fall within job description. Managers are not that understanding and the only time they will help you is when their A** is in trouble. The pay is horrible for what you are asked to do. I wouldn't recommend working here to anyone at all, unless you are loner and have nothing else to do.

Advice to Senior Management

Please talk to employees at lower level and get their perspective. Because they are the ones who do all the work after all. Rather than having so many levels of authority and directors, managers, supervisors, and seniors, just have the organization more organized and smooth. Try to show some appreciation for the hardwork every employee puts in.

Pros

Fun working environment; Values commitment and "time in" vs. education when it comes to promotions; At the highest level of management, great vision of where the company is headed

Cons

Company has grown too rapidly over the last few years and can't keep all of their acquisitions on their radar; Poor compensation compared to similar job duties across organization in different offices; No checks and balances for mid-level managers

Advice to Senior Management

Work harder to assimilate acquisitions, and get a "fly on the wall" at some of these offices. The Frostburg office needs major help getting the call center in order but on-site management is too proud to ask for what they need. There is no mentoring or coaching for call center representatives, though call center supervisors are given great flexibility and detailed, well-prepared performance reviews. Why this discrepancy? The call center supervisors need to be kept in the laps of management so they will be more likely to yield when asking to do something that goes against their business sense or seems inherently wrong. Management passes lies to call center supervisors who in turn, unknowingly pass this erroneous information to their teams. Call center supervisor is not perfect, either- a big problem in Frostburg is employee retention. Supervisors have been permitted by management to go on "firing sprees", citing minor policy violations which in no way impact revenue or prevent business from being conducted. HR's attempts to intervene were rebutted by management time and time again. I loved the vision of Active Network and if Frostburg reflected the same values as San Diego, I might still be there. Ultimately, my integrity led me to look for other employment options.

Pros

- Ability to work with top consumer brands and high profile tech customers
- Great mgmt. team that truly cares about company culture
- Autonomy to do my job without micro-mgmt and hierarchy
- Excellent work/life balance; lots of employee-focused programs
- Nice to work for a company that cares about its impact to society and not just the bottom line
- Exposure to many different vertical markets, which provides great experience

Cons

- Has grown very fast in a short time -- interoffice communications and processes are still catching up
- Too many products are currently supported -- consolidation is under way

Advice to Senior Management

Continue folding acquired companies into corporate culture and fostering open communications. Strengthen and properly resource horizontal B2B/B2C functions such as marketing and product management.

Pros

This company has a youthful energy and an entertaining office atmosphere. They focus a great deal on wellness and health.

Cons

Empty promises, salary 30%-40% below average, HORRIBLE communication and cooperation between offices and a very tribal atmosphere. Company of acquisitions.

Advice to Senior Management

Improve communication and responsiveness, stop being afraid to fire those unwilling to work as a team and increase base pay.

Pros

Great work place with highly energized people. Very open and approachable executive team.

Cons

Matrix organization does not work so well. Too many people say "not my job".

Advice to Senior Management

Stay focused. Adopt a more agile organization structure.

Pros

Work environment is, overall, relaxed
Direct management is friendly and helpful
Nice vacation package
Affordable health insurance
Schedule flexibility
Company strives to educate employees on living a healthy lifestyle
Surveys are frequently offered asking employees how they could feel happier and more fulfilled in their jobs with the company

Cons

Horrible pay (positions that are stressed as integral to the company's success have a monetary compensation that is sub-par, to say the least)
Little to no room for promotion/advancement
The company seems to strive to reward the employees in every way but the most important way -- monetary reward

Advice to Senior Management

Although the perks and fringe benefits of working at Active are very nice, they fall on deaf ears when salaries are sub-par and nearly stagnant

Pros

The company has a very good working enviroment. Supportive people around your position all the time. Starting to support balance between work and personal life.

Cons

The company requires proactive people to be in the team. Consistant raising the bar for the employee can be seen tiring sometimes.

Pros

-Extremely Energetic Environment

-Flexible

-Laid Back

-Strong Opportunity for Growth and Advancement

-Creativity is Highly Accepted

-Very Diverse Staff

-Great Location

Cons

-Communication between teams and management could be stronger; this has been the only challenge I have had at Active but, I guess that is what you get with a company that has grown as fast and large as we have.

Advice to Senior Management

Motivate, Motivate, Motivate. Thank your team members for the jobs that they do. Encourage, Mentor, Communicate Rewards do not always have to be given in the form of a bonus check, just show that you truly care and appreciate the effort that they put forth with a simple "Thank you, dynamic job." It will extract better reception from your staff.

Pros

Some good experience in tech and learning about many different POS systems. Employees within same department willing to help and assist. Current manager is really good and understanding....

Cons

Hired in to do one type of job but after awhile doing alot of non technical duties. Advancement within job seems not possible. One would need to take a completely different job to move up in the company. Training is minimal and no avenue to get tech certifications. Some troubleshooting is hard to do without equipment.....

Advice to Senior Management

Expand and train the tech people so that everyone can get the same tech knowledge

Pros

To be honest a year ago I had people tell me not to work in IT at Active. I thought the story was compelling anyway and took a chance. Best decision I've made personally and professionally. It probably was not good in prior years but its changed dramatically, quality/skills of employees and leaders is better, and overall experience continues to get better. Take prior reviews with that context.

* GREAT work/life balance
* Tons of opportunity to make an impact and drive change/innovation
* Driven and energetic co-workers
* Good relationship between development and IT orgs
* Clear appreciation of achievements by superiors/execs
* Fast paced, growing, and no signs of slowing down
* Cool products and a monopoly in many of the spaces we compete in
* ActiveX program (employee fitness/wellness) is an outstanding perk and benefit if you're activity minded

Cons

Don't work here if you want to coast, do the same job everyday, or are not flexible. Priorities change and there will always be more demand than supply especially in development or IT positions. People who want to be told what to do wont survive here.. success stories abound from folks who find opportunity to make a difference and just do it.

* Its a startup in behavior/pace but no stock or robust bonus plan (but work/life balance is great so pick your poison)
* 401k match could be better
* Growth is so fast that workspaces are crowded, often with 2-3 to an office. (San Diego)
* Lack of available conf rooms make impromptu team meetings/gatherings almost impossible (San Diego)
* Having to use all vacation time before the end of the year and Inability to roll vacation time over to the next year is dreadful
* Later quarters get painful when some departments overspend their budgets and then everyone else has to cut into their budgets to make up the difference. Wish there was more accountability for poor $ management to those who caused the problem.