Expeditors – “People who spout assumptions clearly don't "get it".”

Of course you have to say all those nice things when you're "District Manager." If you said otherwise, you might actually get fired. Anyway, let me take apart your argument about Expeditors.

Myth: Expeditors is secure, transparent and approachable as an organisation.

Fact: If EI is anything, it's NOT transparent. At least not to those who aren't in management positions. Upper management does not inform those in lower positions about decision-making in the company until it's actually implemented. It's very political and it seems like upper management vs lower employees.

Myth: We're also very women friendly..... the growth of women within this industry is growing year over year.... within Expeditors, women management has been part of us almost since day 1... there is no glass ceiling here!

Fact: I strongly disagree. In the Seattle office, besides the district manager, 95% of the supervisors, managers are caucasian male.

Myth: The fact is, Expeditors pays a lower monthly/base salary to EVERY employee than most competitors. HOWEVER, the bonus programme is the driver.

Fact: EI does have a severely low base salary. When I started, it was about $14.50/hr. I had to fight to get my next pay raise which was only $1.50 more. To the best of my knowledge, EI is now making it harder for employees to get their pay raise since EI had lost the business of many clients due to the RECESSION.

Bonuses are NOT the driving motivation. Also, it is based on how long you stayed in the company. If you've been there less than 3 years, your bonus will SUCK compared to upper management such as yourself who I believe gets $2000 if you've been there at least 8 or so years. And no, nobody is striving for the bonus anymore because EI is now restricting bonuses which is even worse with the severely low base salary.

Myth: Unfortunately, people assume that management (in various forms whether at branch level or corporate level) walked into these positions and high salaries and bonuses - this is how it works everywhere else - so its difficult to not be judgmental about it. This doesn't happen, the individuals walk into their jobs 9 out of 10 times at the grass roots level.

Fact: False. If this were true, then all high-profile positions in the company would be selected by candidates who work in the company. Could you then explain why this past year Expeditors drafted Chief Financial Officer Bradley Powell who was not an employee of the company?

Myth: I would never work for anyone else.... this is MY company. I love it and although there are things here and there that make us crazy.... Expeditors has taken care of me as long as I took care of them.... it is NEVER a one-sided relationship. Employees at the desk level and even struggling managers need to step outside of their box and understand, it happens but only with work and when the opportunity arises, you sure as hell better be ready for it.

Fact: My entire experience working at Expeditors is the opposite of what you claim. In order for a person to climb the corporate ladder, you need to be politcally-savvy and also, kiss other people's butt. In other words, most people I know do not get promoted. And for this reason, besides the company culture and salary, the avg employee turnover is 3 years.

Your opinion of this company is severely biased because of your high-profile position and is not based on reality.

Its unfortunate you feel that way. I suppose if you're no longer with Expeditors, you're still harbouring some issues and that's too bad. If you're still with us, it's probably a good thing to leave if you're that unhappy with the organization.
I suppose my opinion is biased. It's biased because over the last many years I've seen the good and the bad just as many do in any company. And, because I started as an agent and I worked my way up. I did that not by sleeping with anyone, not by being related to anyone but simply doing what I was suppose to do. And, that paid off. Being politically savvy is just a part of life. Every company no matter where you go has an element of things you like and don't like - its focusing on what you like and if what like outweighs, great.
There's over 13000 people in this company - promoting all of them is pretty much impossible so the simple chances that most people you know don't get promoted, makes sense. There are only so many holes to fill.
Expeditors fundamentals are pretty simple and at the end of the day, its still people that keep those going. If you're in a department or office that doesn't make you happy, it doesn't mean you speak for everyone. Secondly, that one department or office is not indicative of an entire organization.
At the end of the day, we work for the money, but, many of us also do it for opportunities and not just the money.
Its too bad you're unable to see the positive side of the company. Hopefully, you'll find a company that will fit what you want based on your above 'facts' which seem to be what you don't like:
A company that you don't have to be politically savvy, kiss butt, everyone makes the same amount of money so that there is no question as to who makes what and what is fair or unfair , no bonuses so that no one has to worry about who gets what, where there is only one office in the entire organization so that all rumours, statements, judgements can only be made about that one location and where there is no management at all so there is no worry about 'us vs. them'.
If you can find that type of company based on your above 'facts', it seems that you will have found the perfect organization for you.
Best of luck.

It's funny how this guys uses ONE example (new CFO) of how EI doesn't hire from within. I challenge this person to review every DM in the US and tell me who was hired as a DM. Answer....NOBODY! In fact, I can pretty much guarantee you that 80% of them started at very low level positions within EI. Sorry to break it to you but EI is NOT about CHQ. EI is about the 250+ offices (with GREAT support from CHQ) doing the job around the world.

Having worked at another large multinational company before EI, there is a huge difference. At my old company, all decisions were made at CHQ. I couldn't hire a messenger without approval from somone in a different country!! Seriously. At EI, the company is driven by the branches. CHQ provides some great support, direction and a handful of policies that must be followed.

There is no question that EI, although not perfect, is the class of the global logistics industry.

Your arguments are specious. I think Anon made some excellent points, and you fail to address them, or address them with platitudes.

I enjoy many aspects of working for EXPD, but I am fully aware that many other employees are not satisfied, and have good reason to be demotivated. If you are unable to defend your position in a rational way, it would be best to simply admit you've been bested and remain quiet.