Pros

Friendly work environment, direct supervisors are always avaliable to their subordinates, cross training sessions to understand other departments are helpful in knowledge growth.

Cons

Company does not present clear career path definition for employees of middle management or below, senior and executive level management is not transparent enough to allow for sense of job security. We are also at the bottom of the spectrum in compensation for Market Research firms of our size and recognition.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees and what they have to say- we know this company on an operational level, not as a balance sheet and can provide insight.

Pros

Great online database of poll participants
Good reputation in the market research field
Innovative research methods
Good work life balance

Cons

Way too many layers of management
No internal communication between divisions
Internal fueding way too prevalent to have any level of success

Advice to Senior Management

Offer more opportunity for career growth by creating individual growth plans for every employee. Allow researchers to be researchers and not make them into sales people

Pros

Highly intelligent people still work at this company, mostly in middle-management positions, but the number is shrinking. Upper-management is more concerned with developing gimmicks and hiring bloated executives than investing in these individuals and those under them.

Cons

No retirement benefits, high health insurance premiums, salaries below industry medians, long and stressful hours, and cumbersome research processes.

Even before the economic downturn this company had no willingness to invest in the professional development of its employees (training, workshops, conferences).

Advice to Senior Management

Remember that a company's greatest asset is its employees. Attracting and maintaining intellectual capital (competitive salaries, retirement benefits, bonuses, merit-based promotions) should be a top priority for upper-management.

Pros

They didn't downsize me, like they have with 25%+ of the rest of the US workforce

Cons

They have suspended the company match on the 401k. The health care costs (bi-weekly premiums employees pay to simply have health insurance) are advancing at a much faster pace than the annual raises. Therefore, when you combine basic inflation, plus insurance costs, it's like we're taking a pay cut every October when we get our "raises" (when the raises aren't even matching inflation rates to begin with).

Advice to Senior Management

Stop firing the Indians, and start firing the Chiefs.

Pros

Industry subject intelligence, competitive salaries

Cons

Bad corporat culture, unfairness in promotions, cut-throat managment style, bad employee moral

Advice to Senior Management

Value employees, fairness in promotions, listen to employee and treat them with respect, poorly trained managers

Pros

This company has a tight-knit work 'family' and we all work for the common goal. personal achievements are recognized, hard work is praised and management gives great feedback. your progress is well monitored without feeling like you are being micromanaged. hard work rarely goes unrecognized and the company provides cross-department training so you can do your job better by understanding what your colleagues do. The benefits are good and they offer a generous 401k compensation plan.

Cons

we have gone through some restructuring this past year and that sometimes makes you wonder if your job is secure. the benefits have gone from excellent to good and merit raises were less this year than in the past. perhaps all effects of the economy though. additionally, they pay a bit less than our competitors for the exact same position.

Advice to Senior Management

The company has improved quite a bit in recent months in terms of vision and direction for the coming years. keep up the good work!

Pros

Flexible work hours, since i was working as a free lance interviewer in Thailand for the company's Singapore office.
Good staff - My interaction with my supervisor and her manager were always very positive. Although there was a big distance, the communication was always very clear and quick. I was in touch with my supervisor on a daily basis through emails and they were always quick to respond to my enquiries and if i had a doubt they would call immediately. Instances where i was not able to get a work done, the office supported me and asked other interviewers to make a call for me and help in getting an appointment.
They also had a good incentive structure along with good salary which motivated me to work hard. They were frank with feedback and kept me updated of my progress.

Cons

Since i was working as a free-lance interviewer, my interaction to the company managemet was limited to my supervisor and a few peers.

Advice to Senior Management

I think they are already doing a good job

Pros

Harris is an excellent company going through a difficult period. The people below senior management are incredible. It is a great learning experience.

Cons

Too often the good people leave and the driftwood stays.

Advice to Senior Management

Clear the way for those able to lead.

Pros

The company offers employees great research industry experience.

Cons

Seeing highly-qualified employees heading for greener pastures is somewhat troubling. The job is demanding and the rewards are few. No clear path for career advancement.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire and retain senior managers that have Market Research industry experience.