SolarWinds Reviews

Pros

Company appears to be on a good trajectory and is well managed. CEO does good job of communicating vision of company. Nice cash bonuses.

Cons

Very short-term, tactically focused. What have you done for me lately attitude. No opportunity for wealth creation through stock program. If you were not part of the pre-IPO then you don't really have a chance to share the wealth. Have been bringing in a lot of external management that have not panned out.

Pros

Benefits like insurance and PTO are good. I was lucky to get a good work shift 7 - 4.

Cons

Thrown in to the job, no training, no help when you are on the phone with customer. Was told 30 cases a week was satisfactory then they expect 40 then 50...management never satisfied. No matter how many calls you take, while some are not doing as much. Support is not where you want to work.

Advice to Senior Management

Even though you will be told in the interview you will get training, don't trust them. Since a few are leaving, Management might be getting the hint, but no training once past the initial phase will happen...no kidding.

Pros

Very good geek culture, and lots of great people to work with. This company will go places. Lots of opportunities to learn.

Cons

Very top-heavy management, and a lot of the rank and file don't think too highly of some of the VP and SVP's. When you get there, find a protector. The marketing dept experienced almost a complete turnover in 2011, this coupled with the growing pains is going to make 2012 a bumpy year, I think. They are trying to expand beyond their traditional products via acquisitions and new types of products. There will be more shakeups before they're on steady ground again.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to quit the politics and power struggles, it's not doing anyone any good. Be a leader, set an example.

Pros

Gym, Free lunch twice a week, a job in a tough economy - Looks good on resume

Cons

1st: From a sales standpoint a person is hired to manage an assigned territory, yet there are 5-6 other sales people on average selling into the same territory. Account ownership is determine by who opens an opportunity under the contact or account first. Thus creates false opportunities being created to protect the account with too many sales reps calling into the same database or territory. Less revenue achievement for all reps.

2nd: Quotas are a flat rate across all territories. So a person who has New York has the same quota as a person who has Vermont. Thus results in the more Senior sales reps acquiring better territories with better leads being handed off. Results in lack of actual results that a good sales person has the same equality to achieve what another sales rep can strictly on the territory. Better territories results in increased spiffs and commissions. Quarter over quarter the larger territories achieve more while the smaller territories with the same quota achieve less than 100%.

3rd: Management, there is a lack of performance plans and one on one meetings between employer and management. Only expectation is to close daily revenue and motto is discounts for time frames. Be persistent, but not abrasive. A sales person is required to call customers 3-5 times a week, thus creating an unprofessional harassing sales model towards customer's. Management's attitude is both harassing towards customer's and sales rep's to push their customers into getting the PO in today is standard policy.
Opportunity for advancement in the company are few. There are no outside sales reps or sales organization. Account Executive titles are a Sales Rep II internal position that are left to create their own leads and pipeline. Advancement are typically restricted into management positions.

If you thrive in a high pressure transactional sales environment with intense micro -management structure than this company and position is a good opportunity to gain knowledge, acquire a paycheck and work up the corporate ladder into management positions. Average total compensation achievement range from 60-70k from a 40k base (base is non-negotiable) . Average sale rep stays less than 2 years.

Advice to Senior Management

Great leaders and companies are define by direct behavior and messaging. Contradicting messaging often results in goals that fall short of long term corporate agenda's. Be willing to accept and open minded to take feedback from employees.
CEO's motto " Be Uncomfortable"

Pros

Location was good for me. Fast-growing and well regarded by analysts. Rapid company growth can create advancement opportunities if you're politically savvy.

Cons

Lots of employee churn - people were out the minute they vested. No loyalty. Low-skilled, transactional sales team. Heavy workload, little recognition. Most managers were not good people managers. Bringing in a large number of managers from Dell, who seem intent on making SolarWinds an even gloomier version of Dell.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest in your people. Treat them well. People want to do good work and be recognized.

Pros

They pay well compared to similar positions in other companies. The interview process was quite easy. Free food twice a week and good colleagues to bond with.

Cons

The place is very top heavy with management. Too little worker bees. Departments rarely communicate with each other. All the time, planning is done too little and too late so execution is poor. The company runs like a sprinter, not a marathon runner. Seems like they are trying to always take short cuts in hopes of lasting just long enough for a buyout. Also, be aware there is a lot of back stabbing and there are defined cliques in the company. New hires be aware.

Advice to Senior Management

CEO needs to let their VPs do their job. Delegate, don't command and your ship will run a lot smoother. Can't run an enterprise of this size like a small mom and pop shop with out planning.

Pros

Pay, benefits, some of the co-workers, bonus.

Cons

Culture, environment, communication, top-heavy, lack of support from other departments, tons of internal fighting, too many alphas on an agenda, poor hiring.

Advice to Senior Management

The culture which has been created here is horrific!! I was one of the first people here, rising to mid manager, so I can speak to how it changed over the years. They have managed to create an environment where alpha personality types fight and position themselves, running others over without any regard. This is not just my personal experience, but what I have witnessed throughout the entire company. Additionally, the management is way top-heavy; not enough people to support and execute effectively.

Overall, the worse company I ever worked for, and I feel like I wasted 2 1/2 years of my career life working here. Lesson Learned.

Pros

fast-paced, successful company. good pay/bonus amounts, 401k matching, free lunches & snacks, beautiful building. fun, smart co-workers.

Cons

most of the stuff you see at a growing software company: it can be chaotic, departments aren't always coordinated, it's kind of sink or swim sometimes.

Advice to Senior Management

keep trying to find the perfect blend of process, speed, and flexibility. make executive management accountable for the management decisions of the line managers - get feedback from employees and get rid of bad managers.

Pros

Great Culture, Good pay, once a week catered lunches

Cons

Just a bit far from where I live, not too bad.

Advice to Senior Management

A little more training curve

Pros

if you can stick around for a few years through the hardships, once you establish a track records people will respect you and you will eventually get prompted. but it takes a long time to get there.

Cons

very difficult place for newbies.
departments don't exactly talk very well.
some departments are way let's make this quarter driven.

Advice to Senior Management

company has grown. folks who helped the company grow more or less have been rewarded. a lot of new folks have come in since. you need to provide a clear path for them to get to a place where they can earn more money without leaving the company. management doesn't seem most approachable about a raise.