Barthco International – “Erratic change, the most confident people seem to be the most wrong about things”

Pros

It was a very relaxed work environment
Solid people in most areas
Very experienced team

Cons

Too familial, many people are related to each other in the upper echelons
Didn't see the recession of 2008-09 happening even as all other companies were being hit
Recent mergers had centralized decision-making with new coprporate parent in Tennessee

Advice to Senior Management

Be a little more realistic. Of course you weren't recession-proof, no one is/was, but how could a shipping firm not knwo the recession was going to harm business?