Capital Group Reviews in Los Angeles, CA Area

Pros

When times were good, we could expect 2 bonuses a year. I'm not quite sure whether that is the case anymore. The retirement plan is phenomenal. They offer 10% of your entire annual salary (bonuses included) in addition to your salary and bonuses to invest in your choice of funds managed by the company. They also paid 200/mo to subsidize for public transportation costs. I took the train, never had to drive and slept on my way to and from work. I also like how the company doesn't believe in giving corner offices to any employee for the sake of remaining fair to everyone.

Cons

The company seemed to take a 180 when the board hired a CIO from Fannie Mae. She completely destroyed the culture. What was once an open and non-hierarchical organization has become what my coworkers there would now equate to a sweat shop. It would not surprise me if people started addressing one another by numbers rather than by name. The company lost a lot of good people during the downturn and it no longer surprises me that it is no longer ranked one of the best places to work. I'm glad to have been there when the times were good. It was indeed a rewarding experience, however it has becomes a completely different company.

Advice to Senior Management

I would say to go back to the old way. Their corporate culture was once unique and I believe that the culture made it one of the best places to work. Too bad things changed. Being a great place to work really does boost morale, which in turn translates to good faith by its employees to perform at their best. It's extremely sad to see how a great company can fall from grace in this way

Pros

benefits are really good, overall package is good

Cons

Provide more growth, transparency plus recognition

Advice to Senior Management

growth

Pros

Pros: Clean campus, reasonably priced cafe, plenty of vacation time, generally very friendly co-workers.

Cons

Cons: Excessive overtime, work on almost all holidays due to global business operations, job title does not match job description, favoritism plays a huge part in your success, too many redundant meetings.

Advice to Senior Management

Please be more involved in the daily operations of the team. Step out of your offices and get to know your employees better.

Pros

Great benefits package
Above average compensation
Very ethical company
Great coworkers and very pleasant work environment
Prestigious company that likes to maintain a low profile

Cons

Limited growth opportunities
Needs a much more well defined associate development program
Way too many meetings in which seemingly no real decisions are made

Advice to Senior Management

Look to promote from within and recognize the true talent in the company and hang on to them. Understand that the grass is looking greener at other companies more and more, especially since the reductions of 2009.

Pros

Working with smart people who enjoy being there
Beautiful offices
longevity of other colleagues

Cons

Comp starts out slowly and it isn't clear how good it can get

Advice to Senior Management

Give honest feedback more often, especially to younger/newer hires - otherwise it feels like swimming with no direction and the need for more feedback bad or good would be helpful

Pros

Very conservative company with a long-term view of investing. Very strong ethical guidelines that leaders and employees adhere to. Job very good for people who are looking to do a job very well for the long term. Collaborative, team-based environment, although management definitely still has the final say (and usually does).

Cons

Not much available in the way of professional development. Leadership positions are very hard to come by. Feedback from management is not very strong or helpful. Opportunities to move within the company are not as available as they make you think.

Advice to Senior Management

The collaborative and ethical work being done at CG is inspiring. I would say that management could show more trust in associates by providing more helpful feedback on a more regular basis. Opportunities need to be made available for associates who want something different from where they are in the company.

Pros

Collaboration with brilliant colleagues, competitive salary and generous benefits.

Cons

Project production process requires lengthy schedule and approval cycle can be reduced. Strict brand identity limits creativity.

Advice to Senior Management

See Cons.

Pros

Good Pay, Good Benefits, nice work environment

Cons

Working long hours with recogniztion, no real promotions
Your satisfaction will depend on the department are area you work of. Some really good, some not so good.

Pros

You get paid well. They pay for your bus/train pass. You get a pretty good schedule, and the job isn't too stressful.

Cons

You get paid well, but you do put up with a lot of stuff that really wouldn't fly other places. Your career advancement is based on who likes you. Period. If you make the wrong enemy, you are done and may as well find another place to work. HR doesn't respond well to issues in the workplace. Things that are supposed to stay confidential may not. I know if one instance where an HR person was asked to keep the person's name confidential who had complained. And she didn't. Also, incompetence doesn't mean you'll lose your job. It may mean you get promoted. Seriously.

Advice to Senior Management

Do an anonymous 360 interview for your middle managers. They are really creating a place of low morale and things are going on that are making good people leave. Hold them accountable for what they do. And ask their reports how they're doing. You'll be surprised at what you hear.

Pros

Nice people, nice offices, fantastic benefits.

Cons

IT is stagnant in technology. While most other places strive for newer technology close to leading edge, we are still in the 1990's.
The IT staffers, developers, and admins do not seem to exude initiative, but rather just keep their head low and churn their daily tasks...

Advice to Senior Management

Hire some of the contractors that are around. Most have real experience and great ideas.There are even some former IT Managers and Directors floating around that could breathe fresh ideas and methods into our groups.