I worked at Local Motors full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Favorable compensation for a startup, relaxed working environment, decent time-off policies, and the HR team did their best. It took a couple of months to see that the allure of LM was a mirage in the desert. The vehicles were fun and promising and it was great to work alongside the most ambitious automotive designers and technicians.
Cons
Leadership (in particular, the CEO) fails to put forward to employees or the public a strategic plan for growth. Leadership team fails to hold CEO accountable to commitments and plans, and they simply expend lots of resources putting out fires (sometimes literally).
There [were] great individuals in the LM team who were eager to apply their talent to the fullest. The quarterly pivot in business plan/strategy resulted in nobody knowing which way the ship was going, when in fact, the ship was sinking.
Even with the latest barrage of press coverage, it's unclear if they are generating revenue and making measurable progress on their dream vehicles. Olli was a great vehicle concept, but it was near impossible for one to operate properly. The videos are out there: Olli does NOT operate autonomously and it would be nothing short of misleading to suggest it does.
Advice to Management
Eyeballs do not translate to dollars. Say no to press events. Stop being IBM's puppet and hire proven autonomous vehicle engineers with hands-on experience. Lastly, and most important, if the company has any chance of surviving, the CEO must resign. Follow the leads, money, and margins. It's most certainly not in Swell insulated water bottles.
Get Olli operating autonomously. All the resources you dedicate should be on product development. Forth should quickly on-ramp additional clients so they can break away LM.
I worked at Local Motors full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
This company has tons of great ideas and access to influential partners. If you show initiative, you'll be trusted and given the opportunity to prove yourself. Met a lot of good people and had fun.
Cons
Overall, the disparate objectives are hard to tie together under the banner "a world of vehicle innovations". Not enough focus and discipline. Always wanting to do too much too fast and attracted to the next big thing without proving themselves. Not a ton of support for growth because of the chaos.
Advice to Management
Do one thing and nail it - then grow. Hire the right people for the job.
Everyone thinks you're cool when you show-up somewhere in a Rally Fighter. You will have interesting and memorable experiences if you work there.
Cons
It's all smoke and mirrors, the company has more factories than products and makes nothing. Gullible, rich investors keep throwing money down the hole because Jay is a clever and charming salesman. His grandfather destroyed Indian Motorcycles, his father was pursued by the government for years for the Savings & Loan Scandal, and now Jay has created Local Motors. Google the Jay Rogers Playboy interview, it's fascinating.
Advice to Management
Cut your losses and walk away before the company becomes the next Enron and you are unemployable.
Local Motors
Employee Review
Employee Review
Helpful (15)
"Lack of strategy and nonexistent leadership"
I worked at Local Motors full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Favorable compensation for a startup, relaxed working environment, decent time-off policies, and the HR team did their best. It took a couple of months to see that the allure of LM was a mirage in the desert. The vehicles were fun and promising and it was great to work alongside the most ambitious automotive designers and technicians.
Cons
Leadership (in particular, the CEO) fails to put forward to employees or the public a strategic plan for growth. Leadership team fails to hold CEO accountable to commitments and plans, and they simply expend lots of resources putting out fires (sometimes literally).
There [were] great individuals in the LM team who were eager to apply their talent to the fullest. The quarterly pivot in business plan/strategy resulted in nobody knowing which way the ship was going, when in fact, the ship was sinking.
Even with the latest barrage of press coverage, it's unclear if they are generating revenue and making measurable progress on their dream vehicles. Olli was a great vehicle concept, but it was near impossible for one to operate properly. The videos are out there: Olli does NOT operate autonomously and it would be nothing short of misleading to suggest it does.
Advice to Management
Eyeballs do not translate to dollars. Say no to press events. Stop being IBM's puppet and hire proven autonomous vehicle engineers with hands-on experience. Lastly, and most important, if the company has any chance of surviving, the CEO must resign. Follow the leads, money, and margins. It's most certainly not in Swell insulated water bottles.
Get Olli operating autonomously. All the resources you dedicate should be on product development. Forth should quickly on-ramp additional clients so they can break away LM.
Local Motors Response
seconds ago
Edit • DeleteOther Employee Reviews
Other Employee Reviews
Helpful (8)
"Grand vision, lack of focus"
I worked at Local Motors full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
This company has tons of great ideas and access to influential partners. If you show initiative, you'll be trusted and given the opportunity to prove yourself. Met a lot of good people and had fun.
Cons
Overall, the disparate objectives are hard to tie together under the banner "a world of vehicle innovations". Not enough focus and discipline. Always wanting to do too much too fast and attracted to the next big thing without proving themselves. Not a ton of support for growth because of the chaos.
Advice to Management
Do one thing and nail it - then grow. Hire the right people for the job.
Local Motors Response
seconds ago
Edit • DeleteHelpful (26)
"Beware the 5-star reviews, they are planted, most likely by the CMO. The non-flattering reviews of her are accurate."
I worked at Local Motors full-time
Pros
Everyone thinks you're cool when you show-up somewhere in a Rally Fighter. You will have interesting and memorable experiences if you work there.
Cons
It's all smoke and mirrors, the company has more factories than products and makes nothing. Gullible, rich investors keep throwing money down the hole because Jay is a clever and charming salesman. His grandfather destroyed Indian Motorcycles, his father was pursued by the government for years for the Savings & Loan Scandal, and now Jay has created Local Motors. Google the Jay Rogers Playboy interview, it's fascinating.
Advice to Management
Cut your losses and walk away before the company becomes the next Enron and you are unemployable.
Local Motors Response
seconds ago
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