A sunk ship - Consultant Forrester Employee Review

1.0
Feb 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people. Truly talented, kind, smart colleagues who deserve better than what the company offers. If you make friends here, it will be despite the company, not because of it.

Cons

Pay is offensively low for the work, expectations, and experience required. There are no meaningful promotions and no annual raises that keep pace with inflation, so in real terms you lose money every single year you stay. Loyalty is financially punished. The company fundamentally does not value consulting as a product. Consultants are treated as interchangeable cost centers rather than skilled professionals delivering high-value work. Leadership decisions repeatedly signal that consulting is an afterthought, not a strategic priority. Leadership overall feels lost. There is no clear vision, no momentum, and no credible plan for growth. The company has declined steadily over the last five years, and at this point it's not a "sinking ship" - it's already sunk. Morale reflects that reality. Any sense of prestige or thought leadership Forrester once had is gone. What remains is bureaucracy, cost-cutting, and a growing disconnect between leadership narratives and on-the-ground reality. I've completely lost the respect I once had for the company.

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Forrester Response
3mo
Thank you for taking the time to share this feedback. It’s clear your review came from a place of disappointment, and many of the challenges you describe reflect real periods of change for Forrester. I don’t dismiss that. We do agree on one point: our people are exceptional. The talent and professionalism of our colleagues are what make the work meaningful, especially during demanding times. At the same time, your review reflects a particular moment in Forrester’s evolution, not the full picture of where the business is headed. Over the past few years, we’ve made hard decisions to reset the company for long‑term sustainability, and those decisions have had real impacts, particularly within consulting. Our clients have never needed Forrester more than they do right now as they navigate the disruption and opportunity created by AI. We are focused on meeting this moment for clients and employees. Personally, I am always focused on building trust and transparency, so I really appreciate your candor. Jobina Gonsalves Chief People Officer

Explore other reviews about Forrester

5.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Forrester is a truly rewarding place to work. I feel like I make a meaningful difference every day, both for our clients and within the organization. The colleagues here are exceptional. They are smart, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. I’m constantly learning from a talented group of people who care deeply about the quality of their work and the impact it has. The culture encourages thoughtful problem-solving, professional growth, and doing work that matters.

Cons

The most challenging aspect right now is the current business performance, which can create uncertainty and added pressure across teams. At times, this environment can impact workloads, decision-making speed, and overall predictability.

2
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Forrester Response
1mo
Thank you for your many years of contribution to Forrester ! I’m really glad to hear how strongly you feel about your colleagues and the impact of the work. It's wonderful to see the combination of thoughtful problem-solving, collaboration, and meaningful outcomes reflected in your experience. You’re also right to call out the challenges of the current business environment. Periods of change and performance pressure can create uncertainty, and I know that can impact workload, pace, and predictability. I am confident we are on the right path towards growth this year and it wouldnt have been possible without great colleagues like you. Thank you again for your candid feedback, it means a great deal coming from someone with such deep experience at Forrester. Jobina Gonsalves Chief People Officer
3.0
Jun 23, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Smart people work here, work-life balance is ideal if you have a good manager.

Cons

Morale is low, leadership is extremely out of touch with the sentiments of the workforce.

1
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