Corporate Executive Board Reviews in London, UK Area

Pros

Young company, nice colleagues, very senior clients.
Enjoyed the multicultural atmosphere.
made some good friends (who all have now left too).

Cons

Only spent a few months but terrible management, long hours and low pay.

My manager didn't have a clue on how to manage me (I had more experience than him).
They only seem to reward people who suck up to them and are part of the sucking up "group".

Even senior managers don't have a clue and always come out with very short term strategies which never work.

Advice to Senior Management

Learn how to manage people. The company had tremendous potential but thanks to ridiculous middle managers, most people are unhappy.

Pros

A good first experience in the workplace after graduation. View it as a one year training course then get out, it will stand you in good stead however for working at most companies. Good for learing process driven working enviroments and their sales methods are good for developing and honing skills but limited in focus.

Cons

Claims to be a meritocracy, but they only way to get on is start as a graduate and be moulded by them into what they want. This however makes you of limited value to any other employer. Senior managers have been indoctrinated and can only repeat CEB methods and prases in coaching and advice as they have no other perspective. You will be micromanaged to a ridiculous level and goals and objectives are unrealistic. There are mandatory early morning meetings and after work meetings on a very regular basis. Holiday is virtually impossible to take or get approved as there are many days through out each month when it is mandatory to be in the office. There are several subtle cult like elements of CEB. You will likley be advised who to associate with if your face fits and told it will help your promotion. If your face does not fit you will likely be subject to disciplinary procedures or an improvement plan with little support or for a trivial matter so that you can be managed out or dismissed at their convenience.

This place is a sweat shop that exploits thew young enthusiastic and naieve.

Senior manager skills are very limited and focussed on helping favourites or people in their gang, largely due to managers having no formal experience and never having worked outside of CEB.

Advice to Senior Management

Start again! get in some people who have managerial experience