Where Talent Goes to Die! - Strategist Proverb Employee Review

1.0
Apr 9, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There's nothing good about Proverb.

Cons

I could tell you a million things about how horrible it is working at Proverb. But since you’re probably reading this because you’re looking for a job, I’ll save you some time and break it down: 1. This might be one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the world. Timelines, scopes, decisions—everything is arbitrary. There is zero regard for process or efficiency, and anyone who tries to improve things gets promptly shut down. Every project is twice as hard as it should be because there are no standards for anything and nothing is organized. It’s pure chaos. 2. The only thing that beats its dysfunction is its toxicity. The two people who run this company shouldn’t be allowed to run a dishwasher. They are vapid, ignorant, narcissistic and emotionally abusive to their employees. They behave like high schoolers, regularly engaging in trivial power struggles that negatively impact their business. They don’t understand their business at all, and constantly make fools of themselves in front of clients. It seems their only interest is in maintaining a ‘Mad Men’ lifestyle in which they get to look very stylish and pretend they’re powerful and important. It’s complete garbage. 3. The team is surprisingly talented but totally disengaged. Due to the aforementioned toxicity, most team members are either horribly depressed by what they have to put up with every day, or they play into the snide attitudes of upper management only to realize later that they were manipulated and gained nothing. There are no systems for accountability or goals. There’s no professional development whatsoever. Oh, and the benefits and PTO policies are straight out of the dark ages. The smart ones leave, the super smart ones never join in the first place. 4. Should you choose to work here, out of desperation or morbid curiosity, I can guarantee you will leave in worse shape than you started. The energy you normally spend on deep thinking or doing good work, you will spend trying to understand the hostility and inertia being thrown at you day in and day out. Your brain cells will die, your skills will become dull, and your talent will suffer. You can do better.

Explore other reviews about Proverb

5.0
Jan 19, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Since I've been at Proverb, I've experienced a management culture that is willing to grow the team (with both permanent or temporary help) in order to produce quality work rather than just suggesting that designers "find a way to get it done". Salaries are competitive, and bonuses are generous. If there is an equipment/software need it's approved almost immediately with little to no red tape. Employee expenses are reimbursed in the next pay cycle. I've worked for several companies where that can take months. The current model is hybrid with the expectation that the team is in the office one to two days per week. Ownership listens to concerns and suggestions and is receptive to thoughtful change. As a team lead I have biweekly calls with management to address concerns, upcoming projects, team needs, etc. It's a small to medium size shop, so you have to be willing to embrace design tasks that are out of your comfort zone.

Cons

One paycheck per month, rather than every two weeks. This can be challenging but has also led me to be better with budgeting. Parking in the South end is getting expensive. Not the worst for coming in once a week, but if you can take public transport, I recommend it. Ownership is working on this, but sound travels in the office which can make it difficult for client calls when multiple people are talking in the office.

1
1.0
May 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The office location was decent and pay always arrived on time, which honestly feels like the absolute bare minimum.

Cons

The boundary between work and personal life completely disappears at Proverb. I would finish a project at 6 PM only to receive Slack messages at 10 PM demanding immediate responses, and none of it ever felt optional, everything was treated like an emergency. Employees are expected to stay constantly available, night, weekends, anytime, and the moment you are not instantly reachable people act like you are failing your job. I stopped trying to create boundaries only creates tension and makes you look like you are not a team player, which becomes exhausting very quickly. The culture has zero respect for the fact that people have lives outside of work, families, sleep, or even basic personal time. The nonstop pressure and constant anxiety of feeling glued to your phone eventually wears you down mentally and emotionally every single day.

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