Alvarez & Marsal Reviews

Pros

There is no set vacation policy... it's take it when you need it so you can potentially take more time than would be standard at other companies.

Cons

No vacation policy can lead to not being able to take any vacation. Bosses can veto your ability to book a vacation out in advance leaving you limited time to plan an actual trip. You are encouraged to take vacation when you are not on a client, which is not something you can predict far enough ahead of time to plan a trip.

Leadership in some offices is weaker than others.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest more in your people

Pros

Very very very Good people

Cons

constant travel gets tiresome after a while

Pros

1. People - some of the most talented people I have worked with in my career
2. People - my co-workers love to give back to non-profits and the community
3. People - they are always willing to help with work or personal related issues
4. Challenging projects - I have been challenged on every project so far
5. Leadership - all of the partners I have worked with our outstanding

Cons

You will hear this will most consulting companies, but the travel is the biggest con for me. Doing expense reports is the other complaint, so obviously it's not a big issue.

Advice to Senior Management

Sell more local projects and you will be able to lower attrition rates. Keep up the great work leading our company.

Pros

Great people work here and while they expect you to work very hard, you always feel like you are contributing.

Cons

There is alot of work.

Pros

Great environment. Smart people and good opportunity for processional growth. The structure is opened door and lateral.

Cons

Would love to see more local opportunities and business development.

Advice to Senior Management

overall in my view it's good company for personal and professional growth and development as long a ones does personal invesmtnet into it.

Pros

Free coffee and sodas, some lee way in project work.

Cons

Questionable work culture, old boys club and buddy system. No real training nor clear mandates in the projects. cut-throat culture and no dissemination of lessons learnt from other projects. no real intellectual contribution and each person/team/georgraphy to their own. Raised concerns are met with intimidation and each practice has its own HR rules. seems like hotch potch of things. Everything is bottom line driven meaning the advice provided has inherent reservations.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on providing leadership to your own staff and help them grow. Create mentoring relationships and provide that as a challenge vehicle to the staff.

Pros

Meritocracy, Collegial culture, Awesome and rewarding engagements

Cons

work life balance can be challenging

Advice to Senior Management

Building a brand for Alvarez & Marsal outside of restructuring is paramount to our ability to grow.

Pros

They enjoy a good brandname and reputation among their clients for getting results
Their compensation model rewards employees well in case of an upswing
They are highly effective in crisis situation

Cons

Low work life balance - secondary importance is given to flexibility
Very aggressive, even cut-throat work culture
Their compensation model leads to a completely individualistic work environment and does not foster team building

Advice to Senior Management

Manage incentives for employees to develop a more harmonious and team-oriented work culture

Pros

Excellent network of bright professionals throughout the firm's national offices.
Recognition in the workplace due to engagement in high profile client matters.
Potential for total compensation is unlimited.

Cons

Culture is inconsistent throughout various business groups.
Less supportive of a healthy work/life balance (depending on business group).
Lack of information sharing.

Advice to Senior Management

Development of staff and management should be a higher priority as the firm appears to be top heavy in some divisions.

Pros

High level of responsibility and ability to take initiative with clients.

Cons

Lack of internal structure and great leadership.

Advice to Senior Management

Supporting organizational culture is even more important during an ecomonic downturn than when times are good. Don't lose sight of the firms reputation for the short term gain in marginal revenue.