Advantage Sales and Marketing Reviews

Pros

Advantage management works hard to treat employees well
It offers a competitive benefits package (health insurance, 401K, etc)
Good work environment
Management has tremendously high moral ethics
Because the company is in the food business, it does not struggle when there are downturns in the economy

Cons

May have to work extra hours due to growing business opportunities

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to communicate the status of company attainment of goals, including client wins and losses

Pros

Great people, great business. The culture at ASM rewards and supports those who are willing to work hard. Despite its size, an entrepreneurial spirit thrives and leadership always encourages fresh ideas. Perhaps most importantly, respect in the workplace is a mantra which starts at the top and permeates the organization.

Cons

I haven't personally experienced any downside. When I describe to friends and colleagues the type of work I'm performing, the environment which exists here and the opportunities available at ASM, they generally find themselves wanting to work here too.

Advice to Senior Management

I have read the other reviews of ASM on this site - some of which echo my sentiments and some which appear to be the work of those who are clearly disgruntled. As you know, in a business with some many employees, there are bound to be a few bad apples - and, unfortunately, they like to use forums like this to air their complaints. I'm not distracted by these characters (and neither are my co-workers) - so just keep on doing what you're doing!

Pros

If you are an achiever, ASM rewards those that deliver results. I received much larger raises and bonus's than I did at my prior employer, because they tried to give everyone a raise. If I perform, I can get a large raise to the detriment of my non-performing peers. I want to be paid for the work that I do, rather than paying someone else for the work they don't do.

Cons

If you want ot punch the clock and collect a paycheck, look elsewhere. You will be challenged to perform at ASM!

Advice to Senior Management

You nailed it with the pay raise strategies. I don't want a low pay raise because my co workers feel entitled, but are not performing.

Pros

coworkers are supportive to one another

Cons

no pension plan. low salary. boss who micro manages :(

Pros

Company has a solid track record with its clients
Company has some great clients (if you are lucky enough to work on one of those programs)

Cons

Low pay compared to industry standards
No recognition for work you do
Health insurance premiums are very high
Huge territory
Lack of communication
Impossible to get ahold of someone at the corporate office
Lots of disgruntled reps

Advice to Senior Management

Communication is key.

Pros

Very independent work; no supervisor breathing down your neck. Every job was usually different. Lots of interaction with people. Learned about new brands, products and specials. Decent health plan available considering it is a part-time job.

Cons

Sporadic work schedule. Sometimes you would get a full schedule (about 30 hours); some weeks you wouldn't get any work at all, so budgeting was very difficult. Supervisor would ask me to come in last minute after not being scheduled. I was transferred once and asked to fill it in at various locations. If you don't read your paperwork carefully you might end up at the wrong location. There was no bonuses or recognition for going above and beyond and really selling product above the minimum recommended goal. Sometimes the store would be out of stock of the product being sampled and then you stand at your counter all day with no product and it can be very boring.

Advice to Senior Management

Coordinate with the stores better to ensure product is available. Offer bonuses and recognition for beating goals. Treat employees as individuals. Be more up front upon hiring about how sporadic the scheduling is.

Pros

Of all of the merchandising companies Advantage seems to be one of the better at giving their employees the freedom to do the job well. There is minimal oversight and as long as you are meeting the standards set for you they're fairly lenient. I never felt micromanaged.

Cons

Not a lot of training. When I started being unsuccessful I didn't know what questions to ask to get help. A lot of management is people you hardly see that only know you by numbers and statistics so if you're falling short it's difficult to know how to improve. Advancement is difficult. The employee job website doesn't give much information on what jobs are available & location is a huge factor in weather or not management positions are open to you.

Advice to Senior Management

Make it easier to help employees find positions well suited to them. Communicate more with the lower levels so they have a complete picture on what you are seeing.

Pros

Decent hours for part time job

Cons

Repetative job with limited opportunity for advancement

Advice to Senior Management

Instead of motivational slogans try motivational commissions!

Pros

Quick to hire inexperienced supervisors, so a good way to get your foot in the door if you are interested in supervisory experience. (Most companies require prior experience.)

Cons

Literally work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day (including "days off"," sick days and paid holidays with no positive feedback. Some of middle management is vindictive, very little assistance and support from middle management who is quick to read negatively into things, some managers rather fire people than train properly, will give you faulty directives and deny doing so so when there is a problem, will hire people to meet recruitment numbers then dump employees en mass when numbers are up. Underhanded terminations, team members terminated by email without notifying supervisor, relatively low pay for expectations. (Terminated the entire team after one year.) If you have a decent work history and skills you will be happier working just about anywhere else.

Advice to Senior Management

Respect personal and professional boundaries, days off, etc. and you will receive respect in return.

Pros

I have been with the company for 18monthes and while I was promoted to a Lead position quickly (I was food safety certified from a past employer) The people in the clubs are great to work with and it is a intersting changing job

Cons

the raise i was to recieve for promotion took 6 monthes to show up and than they tried to only give me half what was owed. I recieved retro pay but was only given .50/hr for the past 600hrs worked and even though i was given a dollar raise it took many calls to payroll from my CS and the DM was unable to do anything about it.. payroll dept screwed me out of probably $200. if the UPPER Managment would get their stuff together and properly follow their own rules it could be a great company to work for.