Adknowledge Reviews

Pros

great working environment
easy access to management layer

Cons

not much career advance for employee

Pros

Great people to work with very friendly locals.
They seem to only hire the best and brightest so lots of smart people.
Great opportunity to learn lots of new technology.
Unlimited days off*

Cons

There is lack of opportunity for upward mobility within the company.
Most management position are filled from outside of the company.
Commission structure is equals no commission.

Advice to Senior Management

Do more to promote from within.

Pros

Free lunches Mon and Weds; free snacks, soft drinks/beer 24/7
Open environment among contract writers
No dress standard (shorts OK); levis the norm

Cons

I was part of team hired to re-write the entire series of ads offered to ADK's clients. From the beginning, there was no structure as to word/character length, style and size of ads, in fact, early ads had to be re-written because there were no creative guidelines at the outset. In the middle of the project, the entire creative department was purged, our computers either confiscated or access denied. Up to this point, we had increased revenue by 3%; but mgt. goal was an increase of 6%.

When you're changing everything, you can't expect 6%; you have to test and retest, both copy and design.

There was no explanation. Because California is an 'at will' state, ADK could terminate all of us (and they did) with no prior notice. The management of the department was fired as well (VP and PM levels). That's the way the senior management of the company works. Would I recommend it as a career path? No. As a part-time gig? Maybe.

Advice to Senior Management

Why would I offer them advice? They seem to know everything. (CLUE: even though they are multimillionaires, they don't).

Pros

attractive office; free coffee and soda; young, smart staff

Cons

Superficial stuff is great, but the real building blocks of a great company are missing. Management talks a good game, but it's insincere. The only thing the CEO really cares about is "what have you done lately to make me money?" So you worked all night, so you gave up your time with your family, so you missed your kids school program, birthday, game, whatever, well, that's your job. Don''t expect thanks, appreciation or recognition. And if you hit a tough spot or technology changes, don't be surprised to be shown the door. There's a show of communication, but that's all it is - a show. No one trusts that anything that's said is real or genuine--and there's good reason for that. There's no real stability anywhere, but less here. Many companies have a lack of trust between management and employees, but here it's pervasive to a point that is sad and destructive. This is a new technology company that feels like an old industrial company where employees are just interchangeable cogs in the wheel.

Advice to Senior Management

Get a clue. Some integrity wouldn't hurt either.

Pros

Nice office space; young, fun environment; decent pay; free soda and beer, catered lunches couple times a week.

Cons

Bad hours; some managers have no idea what they're doing, if you get stuck with a bad manager you're going to hate walking into work everyday; poor yearly review process, you're lucky if you even get one; raises are unheard of.

Advice to Senior Management

Act like you care about your employees and treat them well to avoid such high turnover

Pros

Adknowledge is easily the most interesting company I've ever worked for. There are lots of constantly moving targets and the competitive nature of the industry means there is always something exciting to do. For engineers looking for that one work experience that will add enormous value to their resume, this is it. There's always an opportunity for star performers to show themselves and grow and you'll have solid numbers to back up your efforts.

The company tends to have very engaged and smart team leads and managers. Everyone generally respects their immediate supervisor.

There is very little bureaucracy; there's a phenomenal get-things-done attitude in every area of the company. Great benefits. If you're an engineer you will find yourself surrounded by super smart people that truly love what they do.

There have been increased opportunities to work remotely which is extremely welcomed on those days where the streets are solid ice.

Cons

The company now suddenly realizes that issues of culture and career advancement must be addressed. This was great but the execution was extremely botched. In these sorts of critical junctures where a difference really could be made the CEO gives lip service to these ideas, delegates them to other people, then doesn't want to hear about them ever again.

It's exceptionally hard to find qualified technical candidates for the Kansas City office and this creates perpetual understaffing.

The culture here is such that employees suspect ulterior motives for each move the company makes. This is more often than not completely justified.

People tend to burn out in dramatic ways due to the nature of the business. There's an opportunity to repurpose those employees and help them heal, but Adknowledge just doesn't have time or the interest in pursuing this. Once you're no longer producing value you're gone and this aspect is frightening for many.

Pros

there is alot of talent in upper management

Cons

There are very little advancement opportunitys

Advice to Senior Management

Advance from within

Pros

Forward thinking
Fast paced
Speedy growth
Vibrant work culture

Cons

Survival of the fittest
24hr work ethics at times
Can be a bit snobby

Pros

There is a lot to learn, fast paced

Cons

As a sales person your compensation changes ALL of the time. If anyone is making too much money, then it is changed! It's a capped compensation, so you can only earn so much. The company needs to understand that good sales people are motivated by money. If you have a horrible comp plan, then you won't attract the best and you won't keep your best! These are revenue generating positions, and your sales team and account managers are the people you SHOULD be making happy. Without them, you have nothing since they bring in your clients and are responsible for retaining your clients all of which pays the company's bills!

Advice to Senior Management

Take care of your sales and account management team! Invest in your employees so they don't leave, don't burn them out. Hire people that are self sufficient and entrepreneurial at heart...it's insulting as a professional to be given "work hours" that are between 8-5:30. Really?! It's all about the end result and not about being in your chair during these times. Invest in training and development, get a company culture...because we don't have one! Happy employees=Engaged employees=More revenue for the company! It's that simple!

Pros

The company is growing very quickly

Cons

I wish the pay was better and the job was more stable.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat the better - better pay, better culture. We used to at least get free lunch and we could choose -- there isnt a choice anymore