Telvent Reviews in Calgary, AB Area

Pros

There's a lot to be learned here. If some of the obstacles were better handled by management, it really would be inspiring to work here. The work that we do, and the product we have, is very inspiring and intriguing to consider where it could go next.

Cons

The culture here is of fear and despair. And with these feelings of mistrust and hopelessness pervading the morale, it's really hard to have any faith that initiatives being announced by the company will make any difference. When the last 10+ years worth of behaviors are being driven by meeting financial targets and protecting bonuses, it's hard to believe that there is any actual value being placed on emotional intelligence and the human quotient. When executive and middle management rarely show up to functions it’s hard to believe they care. They are even resistant to feedback about the current morale problem. They don't believe there is one.

There is a dichotomy between what middle and executive management thinks of Telvent at its best; and what the employees and customers think of Telvent at its best. The employees and the customers both want a product and a company they have confidence in, and feel pride in. People here have ideas. People being the front line. But they’re not listened to. They’re shot down by middle management who are years out of date with current technology. All employees are overworked, and with leading statements such as “do whatever it takes, just get it done” – where is the motivation to contribute? At the end of a 60 hour work week, “doing whatever it takes” with bad tools and limited knowledge, how do you believe anymore that you’ve got a chance to make a difference.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen. Get out from behind your desks and ask people what they are thinking and feeling. When presented with suggestions for improvement, don't shoot it down before it's even left someone's mouth. Acknowledge that you might have the wool pulled over your eyes by your middle management. Consider what's RIGHT more than how it affects your budget. (I'm not naive enough to think it wouldn't be considered, but does it ALWAYS have to be about budget?)

You are 3+ years too late to acknowledge that this is a knowledge-based business. Therefore people-centric. Promote training. Of all kinds. Hire more people to get critical projects done. Teach them how to use the tools and infrastructure that exist. Teach them how to be leaders and effective managers. There is a dearth of emotional IQ here.

Pros

This is an innovative company. They develop and deliver a superior product and, when given the chance, are creative and daring. This is a company where you can thrive regardless of your level of knowledge or skill. Very focused on the bottom line cost management is kept as a high priority. Middle management is given free reign over their respective departments.

Cons

A sense of disconnection, lack of trust and respect are pervasive. There is little or no communication between departments or from managers. Overly convoluted processes and bureaucracy lead to frustration. Change for the sake of change seems to be the norm with little or no regard for the company as a whole.
There is no real performance evaluation process and raises/promotions seem subjective. The company spends an innordinate amount of time and effort training people on internal processes they will never use and no time or money on leadership or technical upgrading.

Advice to Senior Management

Technically gifted, creative people are continually lost because of the blinders placed on management. From the Spanish parent company on down, antiquated management styles are lauded and promoted. Upper managers must take responsibility for the extremely poor performance of their immediate reports.
There is no unity or sense of purpose within the rank and file which is due to highly technical people given management responsibility over people.

Pros

There is some flexibility in the hours you work.

Cons

Being expected to work extra time and not get compensated for it. Communication is non-existant between management and employees. Salaries and rasies are poor.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on your employees instead of profit and share holders.

Pros

Great people, some flexibility in work hours, 1/2 day Fridays in summer

Cons

Serious lack of communication and investment in it's people, poor compensation, unfair salary review process, no social gathering place for employees, lunch room gone, games room gone, all the fun gone!

Advice to Senior Management

Low morale isn't your biggest problem, you need to stop making excuses and get on with making changes at a higher level. People are going to continue to leave until that happens.

Pros

-Decent Benefits, RRSP matching program, decent medical and dental benefits
-Good coworkers, very friendly atmosphere.
-Small offsite business unit offered isolation from day to day management interference

Cons

-Below average salary, by quite a bit, almost zero chance of significant compensation increases
-Changing job titles overly convoluted with no compensation review.
-Training almost no-existent.
-No salary or performance reviews, raises distributed amongst the teams from a tiny pool of money at the end of the year.

Advice to Senior Management

-Recognize when you have high performers and make it worth their while to stay.
-Institute a salary and performance review system and give employees motivation to perform
-Proofread contracts before submitting

Pros

International company with strong internal social network. Great company perks such as onsite gym, cafeteria, and external sporting events. Company subsidized external fitness class twice a week.

Cons

Not enough client facing focus within the environment. Management played a detached role with their teams and direction of the team seemed lost at times. Internal growth was very limited. Great company if you are looking for steady environment.

Advice to Senior Management

Telvent's business relies on deep customer relationships. Do not agree with the approach of only visiting with clients once a year. Telvent Systems developed for pipelines are long-term systems, but application suppliers are a threat where Telvent has not focused on mitigation. Although Telvent software can cover all of the customer needs, by not focusing on the deep relationship building of core accounts they have serious potential of losing these opportunities which are long-term maintenance agreements.