Beyond.com Reviews

Pros

A startup executive search company that is poised for growth and offers a lot of solid opportunities for learning and development

Cons

Basic employee benefits, limited client base, although this is understandable since it it just a new company. Things will surely look better once the company expands.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to be focused on the company's growth potential and put in place the systems and processes that will ensure effective and efficient operations

Pros

Owner cares about employees
Free health insurance for employees
Food, snacks and coffee available in kitchen
Good co-workers
Convenient location

Cons

Product is hard to understand
Like a call center
Average sale is for a small amount
Lofty goals
Monthly and online only specials
You get paid when customers pay
Paychecks come once a month
Political environment

Pros

Opportunity to work on several projects simultaneously--no day is ever the same. Work in cross-departmental teams so you get to know your co-workers throughout the company. While you do wear several different hats, work hard and at times you can be stressed out trying to reach a tight deadline, it's nice that the corporate culture is casual--jeans everyday and your coworkers have a sense of humor--which is refreshing. Beyond did not turn to layoffs during the recession and kept every employee on staff. They really look out for their employees.

Cons

Many projects are worked on in a bubble and are not always clearly communicated to those who will be impacted when the project is complete--This can be frustrating. Management definitely plays favorites--not in the sense that others receive promotions over someone else, but just on a day-to-day management certainly treats employees differently--stopping to chat etc... There is never down time--your plate is ALWAYS full.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep employees informed of what's going on--so there are no surprises.

Pros

1. The people make everything here. Everyone is great to work with. You could complain about a million different things, but at the end of the day you have a great team to work with and that is what keeps people here.
2. Usually a 3% salary match on your 401K
3. 100% insurance paid for yourself (works great if you are single or have other family insurance options).
4. You will learn and learn fast!

Cons

1. 9 hour work days
2. Salaries below industry standard in general (which is surprising for a job board)
3. Not flexible with working at home
4. Micromanagement
5. No family coverage with insurance (you will have to pay for any spouse/kids).
6. There is no opportunity for management advancement, training or advancing your own skills. This kind of comes with the territory of working for a smaller company.
7. There is no down time here, projects are constantly moving and there is constantly something in the queue next.
8. You are not officially given any PTO or financially compensated if you work overtime (even if you work all weekend). Depending on your manager they usually try to make up for this, but it can be difficult.
9. Work can become repetitive.

Advice to Senior Management

Every company has it ups and downs. Beyond is a great place to work for, but this is not a place you can settle down and make a career out of. Beyond does not seem to have a long term plan. Thus there is not much need to keep up with current technology standards or a need to train its employees on them.

Pros

The people are fantastic and are always willing to help one another.

Cons

The level of bureaucratic insanity is enough to scare away good talent. The compensation is meager for a company that considers itself to be a top-tier employment site. Pay is only once monthly and time off must be accrued.

Advice to Senior Management

process improvement plan must be in place immediately. Communication flow needs to be better. Technology needs to improve. Usability and general experiences from a user standpoint need to be addressed. Competitive salaries should be considered. Succession planning and career advancement plans should be implemented.

Pros

The best part of Beyond.com is the people. Great team to work with, refreshing, collaborative dynamic, and for the most part, small egos. Beyond.com also offers numerous opportunities to grow in your position, as well as expand your skill set to grow in your career as well. Hard work and achievements are both publicly and privately recognized through the company award program as well as perks like the best Phillies tickets you'll ever be given. Last but certainly not least, Beyond.com senior management truly CARES about their people. Layoffs have never been considered (even in the worst economy), and it is the rare, rare instance that anyone is ever let go. In other words, complete and unfaltering job security - gotta love that.

Cons

Workload can be intimidating at times. Also, everyone in the company works so hard that its tough to find yourself at the top, even when you're investing considerable effort.

Pros

Awesome game room!!!!! THAT NO ONE USES!!!!!! Because you only get a half hour lunch and the rest of the time it's work, work and overtime work.

Cons

Unprofessional management that gets involved in office drama and takes sides.
Never praised for you accolades.
Always reminded that if you don't do what they want they will find someone who will.
Always expected to work overtime but it's a salary job so you never get paid overtime.
Unprofessional work environment and no chance for advancement.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat employees with more respect because they DO matter.
Create more opportunities for advancement.
Lead by example when trying to set examples.
Don't created fake draws to potential employees (ie employee game room) unless you fully intend on allowing them the time to use it.