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Synapse Product Development Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Redwood Stephens
10 Ratings
Pros
"The work-life balance is stellar" (in 10 reviews)
"Everyone is willing to share knowledge and take a minute to explain/teach you something they have more experience with" (in 3 reviews)
Cons
"There isn't a clear path for career growth" (in 4 reviews)
"Historically, a lack of diversity -- though this is actively changing" (in 2 reviews)
![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Sr. Recruiter"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synapse Product Development full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
Great group of people working on exciting projects. The team in SF has a real family feel and they put time and effort into cultivating their unique and vibrant culture. True emphasis on work/life balance (it's not just a slogan at Synapse....they really want you to have a rich life outside of the office). And speaking of the office, the space is really cool!
Cons
Every company has its issues and Synapse is no exception in this area, but they lean towards trying to address/fix them before they grow out of control. If there was one area to address this year it would be the lack of diversity.
Advice to Management
Diversify, diversify, diversify. Force yourselves and your teams to get out of your respective comfort zones and hire people that don't look, think or behave like you.
Synapse Product Development 2018-04-24 10:13 PDT![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Toxic culture of correctness, Inept management, pitiful compensation"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synapse Product Development full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
Life at Synapse has a handful of benefits, including plenty of paid time off (4 weeks) and a good work-life balance. If you're looking for a place to just show up and leave each day while putting in minimal effort, this place may be perfect for you.
Cons
Synapse likes to tell the tale of a happy and inclusive culture... don't be fooled. A look beneath the surface reveals an environment where you can't ask a peer about their culture or religion without an HR violation, shouldn't use words like "millennial" or "genius" as they are discriminatory, and don't dare give feedback to your manager without harsh reprisal.
Management has it's own agenda, and it certainly isn't in the best interest of employees. Cost savings are top priority - sometimes even at the expense of employee safety! Team morale is viewed as unimportant, with managers taking the view that team events and meetings are of zero value.
Don't expect to be compensated competitively at Synapse. Not only do the salaries fall far short of industry norms, the health insurance benefits are bare bones and - before it was mandated by law - didn't include even some of the most basic and essential health benefits.Synapse Product Development 2018-11-05 07:49 PST![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Great Culture and People!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synapse Product Development full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Great culture, collaborative, fun, supportive, smart group of people.
Cons
Salaries below market, career growth is limited for more senior resources, could do more to foster development/growth, accountability for marginal or poor performance is lax.
Advice to Management
Improve coaching, mentoring and career management skills of your people managers. Need sharpen the managerial skills on how to turn individual contributors into team leaders, coach on how to delegate effectively, foster high impact communications, turn technical skillmasters into effective consultant communicators who can speak to business outcomes.
Synapse Product Development 2018-08-08 20:08 PDT![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Awesome place to work, with a few things to improve."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synapse Product Development full-time
Pros
Work-life balance is great. Lots of different clients bringing diverse and challenging projects. Co-workers are all friendly and fun people. Management seems to be transparent.
Cons
Lack of career growth. You will move up slower than peers at other companies. Pay is not competitive in the Seattle market. Nature of consulting means that there will be busy periods followed by slow periods, which can cause concern.
Synapse Product Development 2018-08-03 20:14 PDT![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Fantastic place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
I have been working at Synapse Product Development full-time
Pros
Awesome place to work, really great and down-to-earth people who do some impressive work
Cons
None that I can think of
Synapse Product Development 2018-04-12 22:02 PDT![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Best Job I've ever had."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synapse Product Development full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
Synapse has a knack for mostly not hiring jerks, which makes for a fun, collaborative atmosphere that allows people to be themselves. It gives off a West-Coast tech company vibe, minus the toxic bro culture you often find in such places. The work-life balance is stellar. There is a climbing wall, gourmet espresso, and beer on tap. The main office occupies a hip space in older mid-rise building in downtown Seattle. This also means that there are transportation options for getting there from most of the region that don't involve a soul-crushing car commute. There is a bike room and showers, which makes things easy for active commuters.
Cons
There seems to be fewer opportunities for career development than at larger companies - this is partially a result of low turnover among people in management.
Advice to Management
Some steps have been taken recently to help foster career growth - I would like to see more of this. It will be a challenge to stay profitable while expanding the horizons of your employees. Synapse is good at challenges. Let's do this.
Synapse Product Development 2018-02-28 15:07 PST![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Most Likely the Best Job You'll Have"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synapse Product Development full-time
Pros
Fun, creative, supportive, collaborative, exciting work and awesome people. Truly a fantastic job.
Cons
Review process feels subjective and unfair to some people.
Synapse Product Development 2017-12-05 09:06 PST![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Family Atmosphere at Work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synapse Product Development full-time
Pros
Flexible work - life balance, exciting clients and work projects, face paced and collaborative working life.
Cons
Change is hard for some.
Advice to Management
Encourage continued collaboration across all sections of the company!
Synapse Product Development 2017-10-05 10:35 PDTHelpful (3)
![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Stay away"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOPros
Colleagues were cordial and management accessible
Cons
Shortest FTE stint ever. Poor planning costed me and dozens of others our jobs.
Advice to Management
It is hard to advice management when there is a revolving door up there
Synapse Product Development 2017-08-17 11:58 PDT![Synapse Product Development Logo]()
"Fun place to work"
StarStarStarStarStarPositive OutlookNo opinion of CEOPros
Great people and strong culture
Cons
Ups and downs of small companies and not a lot of experienced management
Synapse Product Development 2017-03-03 15:29 PST
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Synapse Product Development Response
Jul 23, 2018 – President
Thank you for your review and feedback. It's great to hear you had a positive experience working with the San Francisco Synapse team. Thank you also for your call to action on diversity. We absolutely agree and are taking steps to make Synapse a more inclusive organization.
We recently began working with a diversity consultant to learn about Behaviors & Habits of Inclusive Organizations, and to kick off a series of trainings for our managers. We’re also very fortunate to have a groundswell of interest among Synapsters at all levels, who are participating in a series of Inclusive Conversations to build awareness. With continued training and commitment, we hope to increase the diversity of our community and make sure that we provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.
-- Redwood Stephens... MoreLess