Custom Ink reviews about "communication"

21% positive business outlook

Reviews by job title

24 reviews
4.0
Oct 9, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is almost unlimited opportunity at Custom Ink for both skill building and career opportunities - the ability to "get your feet wet" in a subject you're trying to improve on, or have past skills in - along with the being provided great guidance to build those skills into future roles is unlike any company I've worked with prior. - Great benefits - Great coworkers and culture - Focus on Team through Career Development and perks - Growing company!

Cons

With a growing company comes some growing pains: - The business has lofty goals (which is awesome!) Sometimes communication from Senior Leaders is not clear and our aggressive goals not differentiated between our targets - which can stress out Frontline team members and management unnecessarily - The business is getting better at this, however a gap is consistency -interpretation of guidelines and approaches can differ quite a bit between different teams and departments

5.0
Feb 7, 2023

Best Team Ever and Leadership ever!

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Open communication, the team is super engaged and helps each other out, with lots of development and self-care focus. The leadership team is involved in the individual career goals and encourages them to take advantage of learning and growth opportunities.

Cons

Paternity benefits could be better.

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Custom Ink Response
3y
We appreciate your taking the time to write this review. We’re so happy that you had a positive time working with us. We take each review to heart and will share your feedback with the team. Please let us know if you have thoughts to share on anything else: employerbrand@customink.com
4.0
Mar 12, 2022

great people company

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

frequent communication within organization good culture with employees great benefits cool swag

Cons

not many although customers can be stressful at times

4.0
Nov 6, 2022

Overall, a great place to work

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I would recommend this company to others. The working conditions are great and they were successful in managing the pandemic and are flexible, helping balance your personal life with your work life. Managers have the ability to run their team and manage their people effectively. They have a good work environment and inclusivity, full of positivity and good communication with whole company goings-on and business plans.

Cons

Underwhelming pay bump for a promotion, and confusing pay structure (annual raises connected with reviews don't always result in a pay increase if you've recently been promoted or moved departments). The employee discount is also underwhelming and, this being a product-based industry, you're expected to reach production goals consistently. That's not necessarily a con, but might be stressful for some people.

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Custom Ink Response
3y
We appreciate your taking the time to write this review. Strong communication is one of our favorite things about Custom Ink too! We’re so happy that you had a positive time working with us. We take each review to heart and will share your feedback with the team, so thank you for the constructive feedback as well. Please let us know if you have thoughts to share on anything else: employerbrand@customink.com.
2.0
Sep 25, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

*Guaranteed 40 hours *Decent benefits *Progressive use of software

Cons

*Poor communication from upper management/management in general. Multiple managers along with employees came and went within locations in my region *Unclear communication between different departments. Inconsistent use of sales tools leading to unrealistic metrics. *Unclear duties from management which did not make sense on day to day tasks/sales. *Continues changes within the company when at times it was communicated opposite by Mark Kats. *Expected to take on additional tasks/activities with no application in promotion or increase pay. *Pushed one week free lunches which was inconsistent at best. *With changes in management and new positions created, there wasn't always a clear leader. *Multiple other departments downsized thus affecting customer service, sales, expectations, etc.

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Custom Ink Response
2y
We are sorry to hear that you have had a challenging experience. We are constantly working to improve our Inker experience and feedback like this truly helps us get better. Please reach out directly with more details so that we may understand your situation better: inkerfeedback@customink.com
5.0
Oct 8, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Feedback is taken seriously, consistently, and provided in return to team members at all levels of the company. I've seen results from being honest, respectful, and open-minded about solutions. - Leadership cares and gives people the benefit of the doubt. - When things aren't ok, leadership takes action holding additional info sessions, gathering data, seeking feedback, and providing support. - Custom Ink cares about the outcome of every package and every Inker - Seeking challenge is rewarded, if you want to develop a skill related to the business it's just about finding the time to make it happen. - Inkers are held to clear expectations for your, and your team's performance and incentivized with projects and a quarterly bonus to go above and beyond. I like that high performance is directly rewarded monetarily. - Transparency into business decisions and health is provided at least on a monthly basis, more when there is significant change. - The president, Nick, is passionate about connecting with team members at all levels and hearing what Inkers have to say. - The CEO and co-founder, Marc, is deeply concerned with the team and the company's future, making Custom Ink a place to build long-term career. - Interests outside of work are seen as strengths, for example if a team member wants to improve their video editing skills we have multiple presentations throughout the year that feature videos of leadership where those skills can be put to use. - Pathing is positive - you aren't limited to one role or one team. If you see a future for yourself with a different department leadership will work with you to develop or hone the skills you need to qualify for other opportunities. - Health Insurance is very affordable for Inkers, and covers procedures that aren't always universal including preventative care and gender confirmation surgery. - Communication is frequent, and Custom Ink has a fairly high rate of change with new technology, adjustments to guidelines, and piloting opportunities. - Collaboration is a strength, inkers work together across departments and roles to meet customer needs and support the team. - Leaders create a place where it is safe to say things like "I'm burned out, I need a break - what can I do?" without fear of consequence. They also work to find solutions together. - When there are successes recognition can come in many forms; an email, personal note, announcement in a meeting or to the entire team. Overall this company is an excellent fit for folks ready to work smart, put their skills to use, and seek challenge in their work. If you struggle to work in teams or provide/receive compassionate, constructive feedback, this may not be a good fit for you.

Cons

- The high rate of change can be fatiguing. Honesty about work/life balance and how you are doing in the role is essential to making sure you don't burn out. - Health care coverage for dependents of Inkers is pricey, if I had kids it might be a tough squeeze. It is more affordable than other jobs I've worked previously. - Custom Ink measures a lot of different things to determine compensation and other opportunities. Sometimes I love this, because it shows quantitatively how I'm doing. Sometimes my soft quality strengths are not easy to measure. Leadership is aware of this tendency and works to see each situation fairly.

1.0
Mar 3, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Employee Resource Groups - finally in 2022. Entirely employee driven, there are Queer, Women, and Neurodivergent groups to create safe environments to empathize, share, mentor, and grow together. - Not much time made, but direct leaders are understanding and supportive of attendance, respectful of privacy, doesn't pressure people, and creates space for these groups in email communication. Paid time off - once vested (1 year of employment) - 4 five day weeks of paid time off. There is a rolling 30 day policy for unplanned time off: + 3 instances triggers a reliability conversation. Direct leadership is compassionate, clear, and open to hearing what is happening in the lives of the team. Professional Acceptance - it is possible to be yourself authentically and fully without compromise, regardless of religion, in my department. I cannot speak for other departments. In my team people actively respond, provide clear and candid feedback, and do their best while remaining professional. Leadership actively encourages development and self improvement through a variety of methods and accepts learning styles based on individual needs. Remote Work for some Not all roles are eligible for remote work. For those that are, Custom Ink has responded acceptably when regarding productivity and accuracy not being linked to physical locations. Again, I can only speak for my department.

Cons

- Compensations is not acceptable. Annual 'raises' are conditional on exceptionally above expectation performance and never more than 4.5%. The performance threshold increased every year during my tenure, sometimes twice a year. If you want to make more than your base pay you must be an exceptional performer. While this was clear at the inception of my employment, the complexity and technical demands of the job have changed dramatically during that time. You won't see performance bonus gains until more than 3 months of consistent numbers. Gains are not applied retroactively. - Executive leadership is not clear and does not care about the team. I don't have room to list all the ways senior leadership has lost touch with employees, so here are top contenders: Location closures, separations, lack of egalitarian support across departments, inaccurate training, prioritizing bottom line over team size, and desire to preserve a +15% growth rate over team health. - At one time Custom Ink was a place to grow your career. In the last 3 years the company has hired more external candidates than internal candidates and lateral moves were universally offered new job titles and teams if you are willing to accept paycuts. - Environmental impact is not treated as a priority. While there's plenty of discussion, leadership instead supports individuals who are willing to volunteer but does not implement additional ideas or dedicate employee or leadership time to these initiatives. - Benefits are no longer competitive. Parental leave time is fmla minimum. There is flexibility in some roles but not all for hours and weekly changes. Multiple instances of bonus potential are not realized or reduced and cited as 'budgetary need' to keep low. When we are busy, leaders are asked to have people shift hours instead of taking time off.

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Custom Ink Response
3y
Thanks for sharing your perspective. It helps us a lot when people let us know what they have experienced. All companies experience growing pains as they evolve but we strive to keep our Inker experience positive. We will share this feedback with our team and work to improve team member experience based on your suggestions. If you want to share further context, please reach out to us directly: employerbrand@customink.com
5.0
Jan 19, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Inclusive environment! Hands on efficient training. Wonderful management, Human Resources and overall team member support. Full transparency and dedication to hearing the good bad and ugly from all steps of the ladder for company growth and improvement! Great benefits! Wonderful clean environment ALWAYS fully stocked with snacks and fun events! Scheduled food trucks outside for lunch! Game room, gym, private LACTATION room! Fully stocked bathrooms… I’m talking mouth wash, floss, tampons etc! Large windows that let in lots of light! Open floor plan! Collaboration and teamwork encouraged in a psychologically safe environment!! Opportunity for volunteer work! Tons of growth! Plenty of continuous training and education regarding communication styles, product offerings! I’ve never felt a sense of belonging quite like being an inker!!!

Cons

Stationary/ Call center work is not for everyone.

3.0
Jul 15, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company culture, benefits, dedicated leadership, clear and consistent communication

Cons

Poor work/life balance, occasional micromanagement, little opportunity for advancement, stressful working conditions

3.0
Dec 1, 2022

Ok

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good lunches and good people hired

Cons

Poor communication and needs better raises

avatar
Custom Ink Response
3y
Thanks for sharing your perspective. It helps us a lot when people let us know what they have experienced. We will share this feedback with our team and work to improve team member experience based on your suggestions. If you want to share further context, please reach out to us directly: employerbrand@customink.com.
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