InnerWorkings Reviews

Pros

One of the first things I look for in a company is the managers' level of competency and excitement about what they do. InnerWorkings has some of the most qualified, experienced, and motivated managers I've ever experienced.

As far as training goes, one of the most robust, intense, and thorough training programs I've seen. They really go above and beyond the call of duty-- much more than the "here's a script, learn it and get on the phone."

The office environment is very open and collaborative. People are constantly sharing knowledge and feedback to help each other succeed.

Cons

Things change a lot, but as long as you stay focused and get your job done, who cares what's going around around you. Plus, who doesn't like the opportunity to move to a new desk every once in a while? With a rapidly growing division, naturally it will have its growing pains, but the most successful individuals roll with the changes and use them as opportunities to contribute to the collective growth of the team and division, not hinder their work.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to foster the collaborative nature of your teams, keep people in the loop as to upcoming changes, and always lead by example. Sales managers are experts in the print industry and should keep up the good work by advising and leading their teams to success!

Pros

You get the opprotunity to work with little or no supervision

Cons

Very limited scope for growth

Advice to Senior Management

Do an economic audit of the personel in the firm so you can know exactly who can do what. this will eventuallly improve performance as you will have the right persons doning the right jobs.

Pros

Good IT and Production team.
Senior Management know the business.
Helpful HR team.

Cons

Senior accounting team should be booted out. They bring no value and are big hurdle in companies progress. Get someone who knows how to collaborate with other teams.

Advice to Senior Management

You need to communicate better with other teams. And get rid of some senior accounting teams.

Pros

Lots of potential customers buying print

Cons

Limited value add outside sourcing function. If you bring a book of business to the company, you can survive - otherwise a non-starter.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't screw sales people out of accounts and commissions they have worked very hard to secure.

Pros

Highly self directed work environment in many roles
Employee ideas are routinely implemented and acted upon quickly
Willing to invest in good ideas and good people heavily

Cons

Highly self directed work environment - if you dislike self direction it may not be a good fit
Not many formal procedures - if you know what you do you'll love it - but don't look for lots of formal guidance around processes

Advice to Senior Management

It's a great model and it's on the way up. Stay focused on the people and clients that got it this far.

Pros

Sister company of Groupon that doesnt have of the perks or clout of Groupon. The River North area is a cool area to work and it is what draws a lot of people to this company.

Cons

There are many but the biggest thing is that there isnt enough support for sales reps. They just hired another class of reps which means that my quotes are now taking even longer to come back. Turnaround times for prospects on bids and production of projects has also suffered. Management team is also very unorganized and you can tell that the majority of them are in over their heads. The morale of the sales floor is pretty poor and we just wait until we are brought into another pointless meeting to tell us what we arent doing well. This place is an absolute joke.

Advice to Senior Management

In my short time with the company I have seen good sales talent being let go in a shady manner or I have seen reps flat out quit due to probably what I have written above. My advice to the VP is to take some meds and really evaluate what you are doing with your inside sales division. I would not recommend any qualified sales rep to work at this organization. This place is where good sales people go to die. I am patiently waiting until I can be the next rep to leave this organization.

Pros

There is always something new going on in terms of initiatives, etc. If you have an idea or suggestion for improvement and you actually express it to your manager or other leaders, there's a good chance they will either do something OR put you in charge of leading the change. It's a great place to work if you are used to (and thrive in) an entreprenerial environment and are accustomed to change - there is no stagnancy here. Also, the people are great - you are very likely to make some good friends when you start working here!

Cons

This is NOT the type of place you should work if you are not a go-getter. The ambitious employees who work hard and voice their opinions are the ones who are listened to and are rewarded. If you are a 9:00-5:00-er, look elsewhere.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue seeking out (and listening to) employees' opinions. Make sure that key areas are appropriately staffed, and understand that a quickly growing company will need added support to make it work.

Pros

The office location is cool and will impress you as is the decor. They have excellent health insurance but little else in terms of an overall package.

Cons

Where do I start? First of all, it's a very misogynistic workplace. There is very little chance you will be promoted if you are a women working at InnerWorkings. Second, some very underhanded and unethical things take place within the walls of corporate headquarters. I was shocked at the way I was treated and some of the things that happened to me and others. I would be very careful about accepting a position at this organization.

Advice to Senior Management

Remember that your people are everything and long term your treatment of them will mean success or failure. If you valued them a bit more, you could be very successful. Promote some of the strong women you have employed to more key management positions. Stop protecting the incompetent men currently in high level roles.

Pros

The people are incredible - driven, motivated, hard-working and fun. I found a very welcoming environment when I joined the company.

Cons

There is not a lot of structure in place for the less tangible elements of a job, like training and development. To me, that leaves the door open to suggest ideas and I know they will be happily received and I will be recognized positively if I do - that's the type of culture IW supports.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep supporting sales growth with operational support!

Pros

InnerWorkings is a great place to work. They are growing and there is much opportunity for career growth. There is an accessible management team and they are open to hear your ideas.

Cons

The only major downside to working at InnerWorkings's corporate location in Chicago is the lack of nearby lunch places. This has been recently improved by the addition of a new sandwich shop in the building. And they also have a free shuttle that will take you down to the Mag Mile for shopping or lunch.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep listening to the employees. The recent employee survey was a great way to be able to give my opinions on the direction our company is headed.