XTRA Lease Reviews

Pros

Experienced leadership
Good working environment
Invests in the business

There's a reason this company is the leader in what it does. For the most part, it hires smart people and makes good business decisions. The company expects a lot from its employees, but that's one of the things that makes it so successful.

Cons

It's not a large company, so there are limited opportunities for career advancement. Otherwise, don't have much negative to say.

Pros

Relaxing atmosphere (doesn't feel corporate). Good communication between employees. Allows you to get real world experience while working for a private, well established company.

Cons

If you have any physical problems such as arthritis, or are easily fatigued, this is not the job for you. it requires lots of physical activity, getting in and out of eighteen wheeler trailers, etc. Can be hard on the knees.

Advice to Senior Management

My advice to management would be to offer more employee praise for employees that are making progress. Many of the successes of new employees are ignored, while faults are highlighted. This obviously will differ from branch to branch.

Pros

Great health benefits - potential to make a lot of money if the economy is cooperating - regular business hours

Cons

Too much of salary is tied to a bonus that is essentially out of your hands. Excessively micro managed. CS management not in the field is out of touch. Sneeze wrong, and you might get fired.

Advice to Senior Management

back off. we know what we are doing. just because an explanation sounds somewhat like an excuse, doesn't mean that it isn't the truth.

Pros

Benefits are good, medical and 401K

Cons

Management is the worst I have ever seen. NO communication. List goes on and on! Very sad that our corp. office think they have a good VP out in the field, employees are actually afraid of him, and afraid to report him.

Advice to Senior Management

You manage, and let employees do their job. Corp. office is in another state, their eyes and ears are closed to knowing anything that goes on in the field.

Pros

XTRA offers great benefits
Competitive pay and bonus potential

Cons

Managers have to clean the branch toilets/bathrooms and offices
Senior management changes its mind about what is important to focus on today
Poor training, lack of follow through and little room for advancement
A very reactive company, make big changes after a problem arises
No atta boys for a job well done. Its expected you will do better tomorrow
Flavor of the month management style
Region offices don't let the managers make decisions on their own

Advice to Senior Management

Let the Branch Managers and Ops Managers run the branches.

Pros

Excellent benefits at this company

Cons

Employee for life commission plan

Pros

You will be working for a company that is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. You will receive pay and some benefits.

Cons

I would avoid this company like the plague. There are way too many problems and all are linked to management. They are very political in how they respect people and how they promote. They use people like a chess game. When they are done with you, your career is over. Each office and region has its own click. There is no training or positive feedback. Your feedback is your check on pay day. You will be micromanaged and threaten for everything you do. Honesty and integrity is not a virtue with these folks either. Bottom line is that no bonus or benefit package is worth the misery these people will put you through.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop with the game playing and start managing. Be honest with your employes and customers. Lead by example of what you want the company to be. Start a processes of training, developing, mentoring, and promoting your employees from within.

Pros

Great Pay and Benefits
Backed by Berkshire Hathaway
Great Products

Cons

Xtra lacks leadership and vision from top leadership. Every decision and oversight is made by top management. They are very reactive and not proactive. Branch staff are seen as nothing but glorified office assistants. If things don't go the way top management sees, your career is over.

Advice to Senior Management

Call off your dogs and let your branch management do their jobs freely. Start thinking 6 months to a year out and make decisions that will improve the company.

Pros

A job and decent benefits to help through this horrible recession
Part of Berkshire Hathaway
Best products in the industry

Cons

Overly centralized management
No promotional opportunities
Good Ole Boy management and network
No upper management accountability and responsibility
Horrible working conditions
No Central Support
No proper planning just reaction

Advice to Senior Management

Resign, and let young, innovative, creative, smart people run the company and take the company to heights never before seen!

Pros

Good pay and benefits. That's the only reason the company is okay. It would be negative otherwise.

Cons

Working conditions are horrible
Company is very centralized, senior management controls everything
Communication is lacking
No trust in employees
You feel like a pawn in their chess game, if you don't do what they want you're career is over

Advice to Senior Management

Give operations employees more attention. Improve working conditions. If you want dedicated employees, give them more than just pay and benefits. You're losing out on talent by requiring employees to relocate.