Weather Channel Reviews

Pros

People are passionate about what they do. Contrary to popular belief, the compensation & benefits are not below average - they're actually very fair.

Cons

Poor communication from upper management to the rank-and-file employee. They try, but often miss the boat, though it's getting better. With more and more emphasis placed on satellite offices, Atlanta folks tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Advice to Senior Management

You're doing well, but keep trying.

Pros

Expectations are low, if you're even remotely competent you can make a big splash.

Cons

Ahhh.. but the big splash will not be rewarded or recognized in any way. There is no growth professional or personal. There are ZERO internal promotions and a consultant (usually from a Comcast Labs company) to explain how to do things.

Advice to Senior Management

Build a team, rather than a group of employees. This brand could be great, but if people are treated as fungible commodities they aren't invested in the brand.

Pros

The culture is very casual in that you can wear jeans or shorts to work everyday. Also, the culture is very friendly and I think it really focuses on bringing in people that fit the pleasant culture. The benefits at least the medical are strong in that the premiums are on the low side relative to other companies.

Cons

Though it has a strong and prevalent brand, the company itself lacks the technical capacity and best practices across different functions preventing employees from having the tools to really effectively do their jobs. Surprisingly, the company is fairly amateurish in that regard. Lastly, since the company is partly owned by some private equity groups, it is obvious that through management actions and goals that they are looking to make The Weather Channel a company suited for purchase rather than a company suited to grow the right way.

Pros

Great people who are dedicated and love what they do. Some of the best in the industry in all departments.

Cons

Lack of proper policies, chain of command, communication between departments and management, and proper resources to run it's operations efficiently.

Advice to Senior Management

I would definitely say to invest more in it's core business operations to have the resources to grow as a company, both in head count and computing infrastructure. Employ policies and procedures to keep operations running efficiently and to automate as much of the process as possible.

Pros

The location is nice. Vinings is a nice area.

Cons

Many people have been getting laid off and the structure does not make sense (why are there so many VPs?).

Advice to Senior Management

Don't let incompetent people into high level positions. There are too many cases where people are in their positions simply because they knew the right people. Hire managers based on what they know, not who they know.

Pros

Super nice people!
Flexible hours - outstanding work life balance.
The brand has great recognition and carries weight. It's fun to work with a highly profitable industry leader.

Cons

There is ZERO advancement. Once you accept a role, it's yours for life. Don't ever think you'll get a promotion. Leadership is excellent about telling you what you want to hear, but words do not align with actions.

Advice to Senior Management

Words matter - take the actions you commit to. Reward and appreciate the people who work for you. You're the leader now, but one day the broadcast channel will go away, better be prepared.

Pros

If you are a fan of weather this is the place for you.

Cons

slow with promotions, you have to fight for fair compensation.

Pros

Strong brand recognition, largely good and considerate co-workers, a convenient location to get to outside of downtown, fairly decent pay and benefits package.

Cons

Since the takeover by NBC and two private equity firms, the place has undergone a 180-degree turnaround. Only lip service is given to putting employees first, the rank-and-file are expected to
keep their heads down and not give advice to a management team that has largely been brought in from outside. In the current culture, you are largely denied advancement or not listened to if you are a holdover from the Landmark Communications days. Upper level management doesn't have a focus or overarching strategy beyond making as much money is possible, there is virtually no chance for advancement or transferring to another department, and the workload has increased while recognition for a job well done has largely disappeared. As a result, there are rumors around the building of whole departments resigning practically en masse. Everybody in my department comes in, keeps their head down, does their job and the gets the hell out as quickly as possible. I could go on and on...

Advice to Senior Management

Put your money where your mouth is. Value your employees instead of treating them like cogs in a wheel. Listen to your good employees, or none of them will be left!

Pros

quality of work, excellent benefits, fun place to work

Cons

no work life balance.
Confusion in upper management.

Advice to Senior Management

Open communication with employees would ease up confusion and raise the morale up. In general there has been lot of changes after NBC consortium's acquisition of TWC and due to poor communication talent is leaving TWC,

Pros

Of course there are problems, but the new management really seems to have a grasp of the issues and is trying new things. There's a lot of personal freedom (somewhat dependent on your supervisor).

Cons

Limited career growth, but it seems to be improving.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should continue integrating the digital and TV teams.