Pros

They are local, in a fast paced, ever changing market. Challanging workload with new potential everyday.

Cons

Consistancy among/between managers, departments, work methods, fields, career paths, etc is very low making it extremely difficult to understand the company, structure and the preferred way to do business, etc.

Advice to Senior Management

Improve the overall communication and layperson's understanding of the 'method' to the 'madness' and the plan to roll out consistency and if it changes due to department structure, communicate that as well.

Pros

Compared to other big agencies, Synovate prides itself to have director level involvement on most projects. This is undoubtedly true, which means junior staff can learn a lot from their more experienced colleagues. The company culture is not very corporate and allows for a more relaxed and collaborative atmosphere. The company's new offices in London are great to work in as well.

Cons

The operations side of the business isn't run very professionally which causes researchers to spend way too much time reworking stuff and being bogged down in minor details. Pay levels are below industry average. Being a heavily sales-driven organisation means that career progression does not always depend on research skills alone but relies more on bringing in business compared to other agencies.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest the necessary time, effort and money into sorting out operations, otherwise the company can't possibly fulfill its potential. Don't just wait for a bigger agency to buy Synovate so the problem takes care of itself.

Pros

Down to earth people. Good overall work environment. Interesting projects generally. You really feel that you own the work you do, which can be great. Lots of client contact.

Cons

Low compensation - especially for some of the long hours required (not often but it happens). They should really pay people more.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest more in your people.

Pros

Culture of innovation lives within this company unlike many others; open channels of communication, though you must turn to the right channel

Cons

A large company grappling with its newfound size and structure...not unlike a puppy with big feet...

Advice to Senior Management

Sr Mgmt communication requires more action and less chatter...it's great to open a push pipeline but it's unclear what the company truly is and this must be cultivated and harnessed by those within...not quite split personality but legacy traits remain and are at odds with the culture of the future that is widely touted

Pros

I love the type of job I do. I work with smart people. Info sharing within the region is great. Good client relationships. Innovative ideas, good technics. Benefits are acceptable. Office is centrally located, easily reached by car and public transport. Very nice office, impressive focus studio.

Cons

Senior management doesn't seem to care about employees and doesn't do anything to retain talent. We feel like we're pieces that can be replaced by new pieces. The company doesn't invest in its employees. Currently not a stable place to work at. Constant surprises, lot of people are not sure whether they'll have a job in a few weeks.

Advice to Senior Management

Do the opposite of what I described above. More info about global issues from senior management. would be really helpful.

Pros

The pay and benefits packages are competitive in the middle levels.

Cons

The company's administration strives for mediocrity in its staff and its product. Competence is not rewarded. Management is not consistently honest with employees or with clients.

Advice to Senior Management

Attrition will remain high until employees feel that their work is valued and valuable.

Pros

It's international span. They do a lot of global work so you can work all over the world.

Cons

The employees are exploited. There is not enough staff. Not all, but many of the departments will do anything for business even if it is a bit unethical.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay attention to your staff's concerns. Try not to be so invasive. Take a bit more corporate responsibility and accountability for your actions.

Pros

Everyone in the Chicago office is a pleasure to work with. It is a casual laid back environment in terms of dress and demeanor. There are some difficult people to work with in the East Coast offices, but that can be said for any company probably.

Cons

There is an expectation of working long hours and remaining at your desk, even if there isn't any work. Need to look busy at all times.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus less on acquisition and more on bringing the company together as one unit. Each office is siloed.

Pros

Good learning experience to work for one of the largest research suppliers in the world - looks good on resume - plenty of opportunities for advancement if you start near the bottom

Cons

company is so big, not great communication or teamwork - very departmentalized in a bad way, many employees have a very narrow area of responsibility and do not get exposed to other areas - company was formed based on many acquisitions and the different pieces do not work well together - synovate has very good marketing scientists but our data collection costs are so high that most small clients stay away

Advice to Senior Management

no more acquisitions - focus on integrating the parts already acquired and get rid of those parts that do not work well together or are not profitable

Pros

Large company, good clients, fast paced. They pay competitively if you have relevant experience, nice offices, and generally nice people.

Cons

Not much work life balance, somewhat dominated by "old lady" types that can be somewhat bureaucratic.

Advice to Senior Management

Please make sure to have better communication with your workers, and it would be easier to solve problems and get to the root of issues.