Bowne Reviews

Pros

Good pay, good benefits, employees treated well. small company feel

Overall, I had a positive experience with the company, wish they weren't acquired

Cons

Politics, Management did not always recognize and deal with issues of poor performance. Towards the end of the company there were a lot of cut backs and layoffs which lead to a decline in employee morale.

Advice to Senior Management

Because the company is now owned by RR Donnelly, there is really not a whole lot to say. I wish them well

Pros

Great corporate culture. People actually interested in helping each other, no vicious back-stabbing politics. Overall competence of almost all employees. Low turnover. One of the best corporate experiences I've had.

Cons

Somethings overly bureaucratic and slow to change. Takeover by RRD. Having worked at both is it a shame that the unpleasant corporate culture of RRD will destroy Bowne's.

Advice to Senior Management

The sellout of employees by the senior management to line their own pockets and then to abandon ship is beyond contempt. Oldest public company in the US destroyed for stock options.

Pros

Mostly people doesn't want to leave. Bowne family thing was very strong. Lots of learning opprtunities. Free parking, good benifits. I had some excellet bosses.

Cons

Very conservative about new technology. Field I.T. had very little say in the matters. Outsourcing I.T. was a very hasty decision. Other employees were not happy by this moves.

Advice to Senior Management

This was a specialized business model. And earlier management were very close to the employees. But the new management has a disconnect with low level employees. If they bring back previous good managers and start from basic, it could turn out to be a very good company again.

Pros

Learned a lot about systems and corporate culture at Bowne. Great mentoring from my direct supervisor. Benefits were good, pay OK, plenty of opportunity for overtime, good group of co-workers.

Cons

Career growth is difficult. A larger company, you have to wait your turn on line for promotion. Also, it helps to be part of a "crew." There are several cliques that are led by upper and middle managers. Those crews always favor their own when it comes to promotion.

Pros

Bowne had a generally good work environment. Most co-workers were fine; some were excellent at their jobs and had been with the company 20-plus years. The pay was very good.

Cons

Management let the slackers get away with murder. My immediate supervisor had a horribly entitled attitude, and was quite "clique-ish" with a couple of my co-workers which made my immediate environment sometimes unpleasant.
In 2008 most of the staff was laid off because of outsourcing, automation, and financial problems.

Advice to Senior Management

Bowne has been taken over by another company. I would advise them to hire supervisors who pay attention to what is going on around them.

Pros

Fast paced, great coworkers, excellent location. Financial printing is not for everyone, but for those who crave an ever changing environment this is a company for you.

Cons

Work can take over your life. Clients are not the most respectful so be prepared to take an earful from a young-buck attorney.

Pros

flexible, encouragement, interesting, ever changing

Cons

not much room for growth,

Advice to Senior Management

make sure staff is happy with what they are doing

Pros

Good to learn technology
Nice environment

Cons

Lack of leadership
Poor compensation
Poor policies

Advice to Senior Management

Promote quality people rather than sycophant

Pros

Hourly pay WAS above standard. Benefits WERE good.

Cons

Crazy hours. Inept management. H.R. is pretty bad. Morale always down

Advice to Senior Management

Sell to RR D while you can...

Pros

colleagues are encouraging and helpful
Learn the print domain
insight knowledge to the working of applications
Get to work on Production

Cons

Management is not so competent
No work ethics
Work from home not flexible
No overtime benefits
Timesheet details are needed hour by hour

Advice to Senior Management

Change Timesheet software and policy
Include more annual leaves
Keep the employees informed of the changes in the company
Give training to employees on newer products