Robert W. Baird & Co. Reviews

Pros

Incredibly talented associates, incredible culture.

Cons

Not as diverse as they should be

Pros

Efficient work place, relatively low dysfunction and great benefits

Cons

Sadly quite a lot. I worked with all women (HR) & am a women who at the time was finishing a MBA, was 25 and got noticed a lot by upper management. I'm down to earth & have a silly sense of humor so I usually get along with everyone I work with but at Baired, I felt like I was repeating middle school. There was sadly constant gossip and backstabbing in my department. I was really surprised by this behavior as the company was listed as one the top 100 places to work in the US.

My last job was as an International Corporate Trainer for IBM. I never ran into this situation at IBM; which by the way a great place to work. Robert W. Baired however has asked me to return again as a consultant and had a great offer financially speaking but money isn't everything. The hiring manager didn't remember me, or how she treated me! haha :) so it felt really good saying no.

If you really want to work there just beware. My advice would be to document everything to "cover your butt :)" tell the ombudsman everything even if you think its not important because the women who work in HR are doing just that, so be careful! If you need an example a co-worker of mine literally was "spoken" to for looking at someone the wrong way. Now that I'm not there, its kind of laughable!

Pros

Nice company and nice people...enjoyed my time there.

Cons

salaries are not that great or maybe was just mine :)

Pros

challenging, great on the resume, not a public company, small cohesive teams, exciting projects, entrepreneurial, ability to work on what you find interesting, easy to talk to people/willing to help

Cons

may work more hours than you think

Advice to Senior Management

continue to promote that the firm is a "top 100 company to work for"

Pros

Small office environment.
Decent pay.
Boutique firm environment without the super stuffy feel of most wirehouses.
Tuition and licensing reimbursement.

Cons

Small office environment.
Poor Senior management.
No room for advancement.
High turnover of Senior Management.

Pros

Flexible, structured, low-leveraged firm with solid growth.

Cons

Good 'ol boys' club - few women in upper management.

Pros

Family life balance is great, some very good people still there. Used to be a great company to work for. Good Benefits and Employee Owned.

Cons

Former culture is rapidly declining in some areas, many good people have left/ been let go. No longer the Baird that made the Fortune Top 100.

Advice to Senior Management

You have brought in elements that do not fit the old Baird Culture. You have lost some very smart, loyal, and talented people. Expect to see you drop further down the Fortune 100 list, as you have compromised your standards and way of life.

Pros

Real deal experiences and lots of exposure to senior management team

Cons

They lack the good training on people.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire local people when expanding into new markets

Pros

Baird historically has a wonderful culture and the employees work as a team. The firm remains a wonderful place to work and stay for a career

Cons

The recent changes in the challenge of the marketplace were felt by all especially mid to small size companies as Baird is. Unfortunately of late they had to make diffcult decisions of where to focus reinvestment and the unit I was with did not seem to take a priority. However, one unit does not make a firm.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to do well and provide a wonderful client experience through a great culture.

Pros

They seem to care about employees, their well being and balance between work and home.

Cons

Health coverage. Some areas of technology.

Advice to Senior Management

Have a clear vision and stay the course. Goals of the firm seemed to change frequently. Decide what you want to be and stick with it!