Capital Group Reviews

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

The benefits package was a highlight - especially the MRP. Also, the work atmosphere was very casual and open communication was strongly encouraged.

Cons

Pay was on the low end of the scale. Also, there was a lot of favoritism shown during promotion periods.

Advice to Senior Management

Embrace changes in the financial markets and explore new possibilities for business.

Pros

benefits are really good, overall package is good

Cons

Provide more growth, transparency plus recognition

Advice to Senior Management

growth

Pros

1. The people... the other associates and many of the leaders.
2. Some of the offices have a great atmosphere
3. Many of the senior associates/ portfolio managers / senior analysts have an invested interest in you and helping you grow professionally
4. Great retirement plan
5. Extensive/thorough hiring process -- as a result, a lot of great people recruited.

Cons

1. Moving away from the original values and management style of JL
2. Too many changes at once. And these monumental changes seem to be implemented by top management without getting input from anyone else (i.e. associates that would be most impacted by the change). Often times the changes only hinder the associates ability to do their job
3. Despite what they say, there is no "open door" policy. They do not want to hear feedback unless you are singing their praises and 100% onboard.
4. Mentality is turning into "it's my way or the highway"
5. They seem to be moving into a direction where all employees will become dispensable - where ideas to develop, improve or evolve are disregarded and instead, an assembly line of mass production is put in place.

Advice to Senior Management

Returns will rise and fall. We cannot always beat the market. But clients stay because of the customized and personalized service. Listen to your associates -- you hired smart, capable people. If the majority are unhappy or concerned with the direction we are moving, then perhaps it is worth reconsidering the strategy. In the competitive and volatile industry of investment management, your greatest asset is human resources. If you lose them, you have nothing -- no culture, no personality, and no competitive edge.

Pros

The company has good benefits. I was always able to get time off when requested. Worked in a new clean building.

Cons

The took away flexible work schedules. Took away ticket programs. Managers want more and more work with little chance for advancement. I you have an MBA you shouldn't be stuck as a Senior Fund Accountant.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop making managers micro manage every word you use in every meeting you attend. Way too many meetings with no good reason for many of them. 1 on 1 sessions every month is unnecessary since there is very little for career development.

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

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

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

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

Great facilities and environment
benefit packages - especially retirement
Conservatively managed - privately held
With few exceptions, the talk is walked

Cons

Associates are long tenured which makes upward mobility difficult
Front line associates and management not sufficiently involved with or consulted by senior leaders

Advice to Senior Management

Institue more 360 feedback processes
Spend more time listening to concerns and ideas of associates who interact with investors and advisers