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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Tom Gardner
103 Ratings
Pros
"There is a great work/life balance" (in 13 reviews)
"Fools are collaborative, fun, creative, caring, and dedicated to our mission of helping the world invest better" (in 12 reviews)
Helpful (2)
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"Best Place I've Ever Worked"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
You hear people all the time who say it's their dream to work at the Motley Fool. Everything you hear about progressive companies -- unlimited PTO, flexible work hours, trust in their employees, great culture, autonomy, great people, etc. -- happens at the Fool. Over the past 7 years, I've worked at 3 other companies before coming to the Fool. I am being honest when I say that the Motley Fool is the best place I have ever worked for, or could even imagine working for. In the DC area, I knew the hip, flexible startup culture with flat management where employees are given free reign was hard to come by. I always thought I would end up in a corporate, soul-sucking govt. job. After looking into the Fool and seeing why they won Glassdoor's "Best Company to Work For" in 2014 and 2015, I knew I was onto something. When I received an offer from Motley, I had 4 other offers on the table, however the choice of Motley over the others was a no-brainer.
I love what I do. I am basically making apps that help people around the world invest better. I mean how much more of an impact could I have? There's no real supervision or micromanagement, the Fool just trusts you. There's no clocking in, or boss ensuring you're being productive. If you need a nap, go take a nap in the nap room. Sometimes I even crack the laptop open at night or during odd hours to voluntarily finish an idea I had earlier in the day. This is how a job should be -- trust the employees, give them freedom and flexibility, and they will do so much more because the *want to work* and believe in your mission. It sounds counterintuitive, especially around DC, but it works and it's how you attract the best and brightest talent.Cons
The only con I have heard of, and I have not been here long enough to experience it myself, is that the trajectory at the Motley Fool tends to plateau after many years (I'm talking about 7-10 years). The reason people have left is because they felt that their careers have stagnated, despite the perks, freedom, etc., and the wanted to try something different -- i.e. they get the 7-year itch.
Another con is that the hiring process also takes long, and it's hard to get into the Fool. It took 2 months between when I first applied to when I received a phone call for an interview. I had to turn down another offer while waiting for the Fool to get back to me. If you are good at what you do, however, then don't fret. I think it's worth the wait. If you're a developer, make sure you can make a web app.Advice to Management
Continue to provide an enriching, challenging, autonomous, and lighthearted experience for your employees. The Fool's motto is to "Educate, Amuse, and Enrich". I think this applies to all aspects, including hiring and culture. If you keep cultivating good people and building trust, you'll keep the buoyant culture and having people (like myself) excited and who can't wait to come to work everyday.
Motley Fool 2018-09-07 16:31 PDTHelpful (1)
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"Another self-reported "fun" place that oversells its benefits"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Casual, both in dress and general manner. They also splurge on office chairs.
Cons
The entire company relies only on its marketing, and so marketing is all that matters. Despite our obnoxious, predatory ads that are just barely legal in the ways words and promises are twisted, the managers still tout our company's "Golden Rule" of fairness and transparency.
The offices are located in one of the most expensive cities in the US to live, and yet you aren't paid a wage that allows you to actually live in or near the place we work.
All of this while top execs have multiple homes in DC/NYC and other cities, who are so monumentally wealthy it's immoral.
The Fool uses one of those open floor plan office lay outs, which means that no one has any personal space or privacy, and the entire office gets LOUD.
You're better off paying out of pocket than trying to deal with the insurance plan they offer, also. It's cheap for a reason.
If a company doesn't even invest in the well being of its own employees and customers, then they're obviously only concerned with their bottom line.Advice to Management
Invest in your MEMBERS. Spend time paying attention to complaints from paying members and the people who talk to them on a daily basis.
Motley Fool 2018-09-25 16:33 PDT![Motley Fool Logo]()
"I LOVE THIS PLACE"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
There is a great work/life balance. The co-workers are smart and nice and professional.
Cons
There are no cons. I am really glad I work here.
Motley Fool 2018-06-08 18:37 PDT![Motley Fool Logo]()
"great place to work there"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Approves of CEOPros
loved my time there - awesome
Cons
get a job there - the best
Motley Fool 2018-06-07 16:22 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Great company to work for"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
This company is an out of the box thinker where people can learn new things, work in new roles, and really excel.
Cons
If you're not a starter/doer and neither is your manager, you might find it difficult to find enough to keep busy.
Advice to Management
Keep doing what you're doing. Keep chasing down wild possibilities and keep thinking outside of the box.
Motley Fool 2018-04-24 13:56 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Great place to work, really cares about employees"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time
Pros
This place has a lot of perks and really cares about employees. We have a team that reaches out to do a lot of random fun things. Unlimited vacation and Fools errand. Every month, someone gets a free 2 week vacation. Member services team sincerely cares about subscribers and a phone call can last hours.
Cons
I’ve noticed some things from several years of a pretty otherwise satisfied experience. People who are here for the perks really outnumber the ones who want to do good work. If you actually do want to get to the next level in your career, it’s hard to find support here. Some critical departments don’t seem to have senior leadership, and it shows through. It seems like many of the people who have been here awhile don’t seem to keep up with what’s going on outside the company.
Advice to Management
Keep asking for feedback, but spend more time on the things that aren’t going well than repeating the things that are going well. We know this is a great company, but sometimes what’s broken can’t be fixed by adding more perks.
Motley Fool 2018-04-29 12:47 PDTHelpful (4)
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"Not what they used to be"
StarStarStarStarStar- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookPros
Solid pay and a fun energized atmosphere. Friendly co-workers.
Cons
Bombastic, sensationalized titles and fake expertise. It is amazing how many stocks are "incredible buys" "ridiculously cheap", "no-brainers", etc. but at the disclosure part, the author very seldom actually owns the stock. Also amazing how many writers have CAP scores below 50, insinuating most of their readers have better investing ideas than the authors.
Advice to Management
Focus more on investing and less on creative writing.
Motley Fool 2018-04-07 11:50 PDTHelpful (11)
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"Send in the Grown-Ups!!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Motley Fool full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Nice people, laid-back culture, free snacks, can dress any way you want.
Cons
Not a good place if you are hoping for long-term rewards. The company's stock price (set by an outside third party) has barely budged even as the market has boomed. The CEO is a nice guy but lacks the discipline to run a growing company.
Advice to Management
If you want to tell others how to grow their businesses - and stock price - figure out how to do it for your own company. Free snacks are nice, but people are depending on the company's financial success.
Motley Fool 2017-11-08 17:37 PSTHelpful (9)
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"Loved my time at The Motley Fool"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
Pros
Several years after I left I still regard my time at The Fool fondly. Some of the smartest, kindest, and most fun people I have ever known worked there. I learned so much about business, company culture and leadership . I use those skills everyday, even years later.
Cons
Not everyone belongs there forever. Sometimes as a natural part of career progression it’s time to move on. There can be frustration when people don’t see their next step within the company. Instead of acknowledging that and moving on there are hurt feelings.
Advice to Management
You’ve all been together a really long time. Be careful that you seek and respect external perspectives. I know you are constant learners and like to promote from within - keep that up, but also embrace diversity of leadership styles from outside.
Motley Fool 2017-10-06 06:52 PDTHelpful (5)
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"Great Entry Level Company"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Motley Fool full-time
Pros
The benefits are actually great.
Cons
Your manager will dictate your experience. Several are not experienced as managers and are promoted with no managerial experience. This company is a stepping stone to better paying jobs.
Advice to Management
Train your managers better.
Motley Fool 2017-10-31 18:53 PDT
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