Callaway Golf Reviews

Pros

Great company, vision, mission, environment

Cons

Small, centralized, dynamic, location, interaction

Pros

People, product, location, benefits, brand

Cons

Executive mangement feels entitled, running company into ground

Advice to Senior Management

Communication. Get out and know the people that actually do the work.

Pros

Strong brand name, and great benefits.

Cons

Rolling lay offs, and upper management is out of touch with the workers.

Advice to Senior Management

Stay in the USA.

Pros

Product, People, Workplace Environment, Benefits, Salary, Learning Opportunity

Cons

Very Political at the Sr. VP and up level. Lots of backstabbing and turf wars which was so disappointing considering the level of talent and ability at that level. Stock options to VPs / CEO too lucrative and caused decisions to be made based on what it would take to get short-term results / stock performance rather than what was best for consistent, long-term shareholder growth. While I was there (about 8 years) the entire Senior Management Team (about 25 individuals holding VP or higher positions) turnover was over 400%. This was clearly another problem that caused this type of decision making to occur.

Advice to Senior Management

Where is the accountability at the wholly-owned sub. top management level? SKUs have quintupled over the last 8 years, yet revenues / profitability have dropped below levels where SKUs, company-wide were 1/5 of what they are now. Why are these individuals still running the major international market sales companies?

Pros

The Pay with Callaway as an outside sales representative is good compared to other types of sales professions. It is one of the top selling brands in the sport so it is not that hard to sell. All-in-all as an employee you are treated pretty well there.

Cons

Upper Level management while some have golf industry experience many do not and those that do have been so disconnected from actually being out in the field or in other parts of the country besides sunny San Diego, CA for so long that you have to scratch your head sometimes about why they decide to do things. As anywhere things are very political, and you need to become friends with the right people if your going to move up. Management is not very open to hearing anyones ideas but their own, unfortunatly. employees are asked to give it however, the decisions have either already been made or if your opinion is different some take it as you being negative.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should listen to their employees a little more, they are the ones that actually have the pulse of the customer and the consumers because they are the ones dealing with them everyday.

Pros

family oriented environment, great brand, casual pace

Cons

casual pace, budgets tight, not a ton of development opportunities outside of those growing out of entry level jobs

Advice to Senior Management

implement more progressive ideas/programs for your employees.

Pros

one of the top most recognized premium brands in the world

Cons

less attention to advancing the companies products for the future.

Advice to Senior Management

Time for a new leader at the top.

Pros

Selling golf clubs for the number 1 brand in golf is a pretty easy close. Benefits and pay are good. I made a lot of friends at the company. If you golf they offer discounts on golf clubs.

Cons

Currently the golf industry is hurting. Golf course shops and retail are struggling to stay open. In 2009 there were a lot of lay offs at Callaway. A couple of years ago management wanted you to succeed and offered growth and advancement opportunties. Now management treats employees like cattle and doesnt bother with career pathing. Also the company has become more micro managed. As far as vacation time, there is none.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should realize the value in customer service and inside sales. Inside sales should have more recognition. Management should offer a better solution to manage vacation time.

Pros

Great benefits, casual atmosphere, company spirit

Cons

political like any corporation, not alot of room for advancement.

Advice to Senior Management

Remember the "small guys" are who makes the company function.

Pros

- good work life balance
- golf atmosphere
- very relaxed work atmosphere
- good people
- california casual environment

Cons

- if your not a golfer don't expect to be included in offsites
- its a "big" little company
- sometimes too relaxed

Advice to Senior Management

its difficult to have a fast paced company emerge in such a relaxed sector. While its nice to push building relationships through golf, its not the only way.