When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. That would apply here at Calix. I like to think 'would I come back to work here again?' and unfortunately, that answer would be no.
There may be parts of the company that are good to work in, but that's no longer the case for me. I've seen growth and change for the Customer Success team over the years - some good, some not so good. But it's never been this awful. You'll be in meetings, sometimes have 15 or more on your calendar in a day. If you can't make one, you will be expected to watch the recording... but most days you're in meetings constantly so fitting in a recorded meeting is difficult. Hope you like spreadsheets and decks... and LOTS of them. While in meetings, you will need to simultaneously work on said spreadsheets and decks to be half-prepped for your next meeting or customer call. There's a reason why everyone jokes about not being able to take lunch or bathroom breaks during the day... but also they preach to step away, clear your mind, exercise, etc.... oh but if you're in success you will need to track ALL of your time during the day down to the nearest 15 minutes. You'll spend a large amount of time entering time, but you don't really account for the time you spend entering the time... there's a theme here.
I imagine Management (it's hard to call them leaders to be honest), goes through the following conversation when discussing new initatives:
"Is the idea ready to roll out?"
"No"
"Perfect, let's do it"
"Have all of those who will be impacted by the new project been informed?"
'No'
"Great!'
"Is this going to move the needle in the direction we want it to go?"
"Also, no"
"Sounds intriguing"
"Have we thought through any risks/challenges that may come up?"
"Sort of."
"Then perfect, let's get this this rolled out then!"
The motto 'better better, never best' has become an excuse to do things, not even half-baked, but more like 'we think we have all the ingredients but not sure yet' and then they roll something out and it's a complete mess and we redo it 4-5 times, and all the way they chirp 'better better never best'. This is a byproduct of too many meetings - which is also a by product of focusing on efforts that don't move the needle, meanwhile we fall farther and farther behind our goals.
Speaking of goals... if you like getting your first half goals after the first half is over, this is also the place for you. If you like getting your goals in a timely manner this may NOT be the place for you.
Management has been micromanagers and too involved on the minutia while not focusing on the bigger picture, leaving teams feeling a lack of direction. Speaking of lack of direction, if you like feeling like your job duties/tasks are redefined daily, then this is the the place for you!
Frankly, there's a 'cool kids' club here' and if you don't drink the kool-aid then be prepared for little to no oppotunity to get promotions. It's funny how if you talk to a team member offline, no matter where they are on teh success team, everyone complains. They don't like the direction we are going, they don't like their bosses, there is a real lack of communication, they are feeling burned out, etc. but you don't dare say it because your bonus is on the line.
Be careful what you read online... Calix incentivizes employees to post on social media... the more rainbows and butterflies the better! This creates the smoke and mirror concept for customers and those potentially wanting to work here. Ironically, this also rolls over internally as well... drink the kool-aid, get paid, never let them see you cry.
The success team, although all talented, hardworking people, has become the garbage bin for work. What does that mean you ask? Not sure where something belongs? Give it to success! You'll spend more time on all these random things that MAKE NO DIFFERENCE and won't have time to do what you're actually expected to do and what you're graded on. But it's all about saying YES and then tooting your own horn.
Tooting your own horn... you better like to do this, because if you don't once again your raise/bonus will be impacted. It's not enough for your numbers to speak for themselves but you need to self-promote like crazy... brag, don't be humble, and potentially throw team members under the bus to get any leverage.
This may sound like a disgruntled employee... and maybe I am bit because I've seen this become a monster... and one that's hard to justify. Teams aren't hitting their numbers, not even close, so we fudge things to make them look good... we pad announcements, we feature the same customers over and over and over as success stories because well, there just aren't that many. But that's not what our customers see/hear. They are being sold a fairy tale.
I'm not surprised we have layoffs and will continue to. At some point, the success team (if it's not already) will be recognized as a GIANT expensed with very little return on that investment.
It's disappointing as I have invested years at this place, and I love and respect the people I work with, which is probably why I am still here... that, and the fact getting a new job is extremely difficult.
So my advice to those considering this place is to ask a lot of questions, ask people what they really think, you probably will get the kool-aid answer but you may notice a glitch in their voice or a pause, and then you'll know.
