Elavon Reviews

Pros

The best in the world-growth oriented-backed by US Bank

Cons

mid-level management: the beatings will continue until morale improves

Advice to Senior Management

Cancel the engagement of DeWolff, Boberg & Assoc before they destroy the best in the business-they don't partner with management, they get 20% of the mgmt to quit or be fired to get the ROI they guarantee

Pros

The new (Aug 2010) CEO, Mike Passilla, seems to be making a lot of the right changes. He's brought in some top talent at the highest levels of the company and they are bringing some much needed change to the organization.

The pay is pretty lousy, but since Elavon is owned by a bank, the hours are pretty much 9 to 5 on a normal week. Projects and deadlines occassionally push it beyond that, but it's definitely not a sweat shop. If you need to leave a little early to pick up your kid at school there's no hassle as long as you're getting your work done. Lots of employees work from home.

Cons

They pay stinks, but hey, it's a tough market right now and I'm happy to have the job. The company has brought in a lot of experienced help in the last several years that they would probably never have gotten to look at them in a better job market. Who knows if they'll stay when the employment market finally heats up again.

The company has not invested in its employees and the HR department is largely nonexistent. Management has a hard time focusing on the 'critical few' items and so the "prilority" list is long and nothing's really a priority.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest in developing your people and focus on the critical few priorities.

Pros

Elavon works very hard to produce a quality product and to satisfy and earn the loyalty of its customer base. Also, the organization is staffed largely with intelligent, creative and hardworking people.

Cons

Unfortunately, Elavon does not put forth the same in earning the loyalty of its employees. Some "cons" that could be improved with more effort include:

Lack of internal collaboration between departments, making getting work done more challenging and stressful than it has to be.
A very " political culture where employees are often rewarded/promoted for their associations over merit.
A "Just Do It" work environment that does not readily support different work styles, which can be frustrating and stilfling for some.

Advice to Senior Management

Increase communication and transparency
Build a more collaborative culture
Streamline internal processes/technologies: to make employees' job less difficult and time-consuming & to increase organizational effeciency overall
Creative an environment conducive to different work styles
Embrace flexible work and telecommuting arrangements

Pros

Flexible schedule, friendly environment, challenging work

Cons

Limited career growth and moderate salary scale

Advice to Senior Management

more perks, open communication, networking

Pros

Very flexible as long as you hit your numbers (most sales jobs). They do what is right for the customer in an industry that is full of shady companies.

Cons

Not much upward mobility in the sales channels. Comp plan is subject to change ocasionally.

Pros

Good place to start a career. You can learn about the business environment and procedures. Move on after a year or so and do something else. Not that exciting of a company.

Cons

Not that exciting of a company. Business is dull and boring. If you like cubicles and sitting at your desk all day this is the job for you.

Advice to Senior Management

Leadership is good. Upper management doesn't really seem to know what they are doing, but the middle management is good and will help you out when needed.

Pros

1. Job is secure, don't have to worry about being fired.
2. Fun activities from time to time.
3. Employees are friendly.
4. High security for the type of business they do.

Cons

1. Poor senior management, people are promoted based on "favoritism" not about job performance. People get promoted into positions that have absolutely no experience or knowledge.
2. Not very rewarding, working hard doesn't get recognized.
3. It's all about who you know and how you act. (like everywhere else)
4. Training is very poor. They will train you on things you should have learned 6 months ago.

Advice to Senior Management

Reward based on performance, not just your friends who don't know how to do the job. Things could be more efficient if more competent managers are employed. Recognize good workers and fire the ones that don't meet up to standards. Also have standards.

Pros

great company, great future, positioned for leadership in the payments industry

Cons

there's a lot of opportunity for process improvement and interdepartmental teamwork.

Advice to Senior Management

keep working on reviewing processes towards improvement while keeping the customer and employees responsible for executing the processes in mind.

Pros

If you are unemployed, come here and expect a year. If this is your first job, this may be a good thing. This company is micromanagement defined! If you are into that, this is a great place. This company has increased my work-ethic for paper shuffling. For the first time in ever, I read 500pages of irs tax instruction because the forms I file here make taxes relatively easy so I am thankful for that. There is always good in something.

Cons

Do not expect a career because they always look down on you [see other posts for details]. I hired at the bottom like any college graduate understands needs to be done to attain growth. A banker of 20yrs can be passed on promotion by a someone without job experience if the inexperienced take their breaks on schedule. The banker, true to customer service, will be out of this 'compliance' issue and be passed on promotion because of 'stats' . Job skill is irrelevant here. I work hard, and have recently y been passed up for promotion twice. The first time is taken in good taste and benefit of doubt is given to the company. The second time a year later reveals the company's true colors because I have more work experience than most regarding the position I applied for, passed, and was removed from due to these 'stats'. Well I am that banker in the above example, and speak from experience. Turnover is in part, employees voluntarily leaving because of company ethics and treatment, and this is not too far from your writers reason. There is too much red tape here and I've seen other corporations in the 20years I have been working. Good people are lost at this company and I hope they aspire to greatness in their endeavors after leaving.

 You can probably make it here for a year before being fired for invalid reasons that the company will not let you appeal.

Advice to Senior Management

Believe in your employees, help them get them to where they want to go and you will get to where you want to go. This is true anywhere. Specific to elavon, Remove the probationary periods! When an employee falls behind, do not prevent them from getting better by preventing growth. This can by done simply by choosing the best candidate for the job, not by punishing the weakest.

Pros

Easy to get in.
Better than unemployment.

Cons

Micromanagemet
Top Heavy
No Communication
Feel like a number, not a person
Advancement is limited
Poor Pay when compared to other jobs in the same genre

Advice to Senior Management

Please have better communication
Please pay your representatives better. They deserve it. It is the most stressful job I have ever had. Please make Knoxville not feel like Atlanta always has the upper hand and they are definitely favored in every way.