Critical Mass Reviews in Toronto, ON Area

Pros

There used to be some amazing people at CM Toronto, and there still are a handful that, in my opinion, are some of the best in the industry. These people made you feel confident that you were part of something special; that you were part of a team that was designing and creating outstanding products.

Cons

There is a "changing of the guard" that is occurring at the senior management (director and VP) level. Managers from another Toronto agency are establishing a new leadership team in Toronto. For better or for worse, this is causing an inevitable exodus of the old guard. Both managers and front-line staff are looking to other opportunities, as they witness the end of a "golden age" of CM Toronto.

Advice to Senior Management

Recognize that you're bleeding people. Don't just see it as an opportunity to bring in your own people. You are squandering the potential of working with a new group of peers and subordinates, who can offer you new perspectives at approaching problems. Above all, communicate openly about the challenges of a brand new leadership team integrating into a group of fairly well-established front-line staff. Work together with the staff, and be willing to concede and compromise just as much as the staff are compromising. The staff that are sticking it out will most likely not be able to advance their careers at a regular pace, as you (the new leadership group) are trying to figure out how to run your new agency. Don't think that they understand the difficulties you're facing. Talk. To. Them.

Pros

Critical Mass has an open and dynamic work environment where people can get exposed to many different roles and projects and types of marketing work. It's a good place to gain some experience in the digital agency industry, and to improve your teamwork skills.

Cons

Critical Mass has problems with responding to employee concerns in a timely manner. Nagging issues which would otherwise be easy to solve are swept under the rug. This has caused a lot of turnover in spite of the ongoing attempt to keep a strong culture and an open discussion going.

Advice to Senior Management

You have a good base built, but please dig deeper into the complaints and requests that your employees give you and try to really listen to what your employees want. Don't shove your own interpretation of retention strategy down people's throats. Team building exercises and parties don't make up for lack of progress in other key career development areas.

Pros

Variety of clients to work for, challenging environments and ideas. Room for advancement in some specialties. Like to have a lot of fun in downtime. In other words, lots of beer.

Cons

work-life balance not only not respected but actively considered poor choice for advancement. massive disconnect between bottom level employees and senior level management. Not all 'types' of employees considered equal. It's also very unclear as to how you can push for the best things when the company seems to actively dissuade the 'right solution' even when the benefits are clear.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to listen realistically to the people that really matter. If the messages aren't coming up from those just below you, you're not hearing anything that is being told to them. middle management is the bulk of the problem.

Pros

The people are great, the work is good too.

Cons

Communication is poor and morale is suffering. I think it is a leadership issue. It used to be "the" agency. Not so sure anymore.

Advice to Senior Management

Talk to the people in the trenches, not just to the directors and managers.

Pros

Dedicated co workers who will always support one another

Cons

- salary was not very competitive
- salary reviews were non-existent
- long hours were considered the norm (evenings, weekends)
- senior leadership was not strong

Advice to Senior Management

- standardize your processes (bonus, promotions, etc)
- reduce micro management
- improve work life balance
- promote and compensate based on merit

Pros

The people are wonderful, and the work we do is sometimes best in class. When it is at its best, CM can be one of the best places to work hands down.

Cons

It is difficult to advance my career. I am not sure what is required of me to get a promotion. It is not what it used to be. People have been leaving in Toronto very quickly and that is having a negative impact on the office's culture.

Advice to Senior Management

Please focus on retaining talent and growing more internally. It created an atmosphere that people thrived in.