Pros

Great leadership and fair performance evaluation. Also, discounts on batteries!

Cons

They filed Chapter 11 so job security is an issue. In marketing there isn't too many places to go.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the honest conversations.

Pros

The best reason to work for Spectrum Brands is that as a Spectrum employee you will be given a great deal of freedom with which to do your job. As a whole Spectrum's lower management levels were staffed by intelligent and capable people who were deeply devoted to their task. The level of dedication at the lower levels of management was remarkable. The products produced by Spectrum are of a high quality and generally well developed and placed in the market place.

Cons

Senior management seems to have absolutely no connection to their workers. They make decisions that have negatively affected the company on many occasions. The support from corporate to the lower reaches of the sales-force is lackluster at best. The salaries, bonuses, and benefits given to employees are sub standard at best. Promotions rarely happened in my experience and bonuses were rarely paid out.

Advice to Senior Management

Get out in the field and try working a little for yourself.

Pros

Flexible Schedule, many cities to work in. The pay wasn't bad and the benefits were pretty good. I had a lot of independence and autonomy. The sales meeting for the whole organization was held in Atlanta this year and was pretty nice. The dinner was good, the meetings were pretty informative, I got to meet with a lot of executives and decision makers for the company. All in all it was a good experience and they flew everyone out there. However, in retrospect it seems they could have spent their money elsewhere since they are now in some financial trouble.

Cons

As of November of this year, a lot of people have been laid off. I think it was about 50% of the salesforce that were included in the lay offs at all levels. Sales reps, regional managers, and district managers were targeted. Also they completely laid off the department for fertilizer and growth. Shipping was also always a problem. It was always delayed and a lot of times it was the incorrect quantity and incorrect product being shipped. This caused problems for the stores and the representatives for the stores that were not their fault. I don't foresee this company bouncing back soon.

Advice to Senior Management

More communication to lower employees.

Pros

Competitive pay and good benefits

Cons

Horrible management and employees treated badly. More concerned about management image than customer satisfaction. Not open to any employee suggestions. Goals change everyday and are virtually unattainable in the long run.

Advice to Senior Management

Get off your high horse and listen to employees! Stop managing like it's 1960 and you are the sole authority over every aspect of your employees life. Stop gossiping and be more professional.