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School Innovations & Achievement

Is this your company?

RUN as fast as you can from this company!!!!!! - Anonymous employee School Innovations & Achievement Employee Review

1.0
Aug 6, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have some pretty cool fish tanks.

Cons

Where to begin with this one... First off, I want it to be known that I have NEVER written a review of anything in my entire life. I usually find it to be a waste of my time. However, with this company I find it completely necessary to warn any other innocent victims from joining such an oppressive organization. I think the best way for me to describe how this company operates is to analyze their Core Values & Beliefs because if you end up interviewing here or heaven forbid working here you will hear these DAY IN and DAY OUT. The funny part is these CV&B's as they like to call them are actually the complete opposite of how the organization actually operates. So without further adieu...here they are in all their glory... 1) We behave, decide and act based upon what is in the best interest of the Company – No Silos - what this means is that you better not EVER make any decision on your own without running it by each and every manager and especially the COO. Even decisions so little as sending an email need to be approved. And, if you don't run everything by these people you will be punished with a lecture about why you are not actually capable of thinking independently and how offensive it is that you would think so high of yourself to do so. 2) We take personal responsibility for our actions, decisions, behavior and work – No Victims - this one will come up a lot if you go against CV&B #1 and decide to have a mind of your own or actually try to get any work done around there. When you are being verbally abused for your actions they will remind you of this core value. Dont you dare try to defend yourself because hey - you aren't owning your so called mistake. 3) We like working here, if it’s not for you, that’s fine - Leave and find your happy place - The only people who like working there are the managers and the COO. The managers have all been there for 10+ years and have worked their way up by brown nosing and kissing the COO's rear. They know better than to bite the hand that feeds them so they will continue to be her puppets until they need to retire. 4) We work with a sense of urgency and energy – Not later, NOW - This is one of the most contradictory CV&B's in my opinion. Yes, they do want everything done yesterday so to speak, but the funny part is you actually cant get any work done without running it through the chain of command. So, if the COO is on vacation, or sick, or what have you...you cant actually do anything. So, you better hope to god that the project they might have you working on is done properly the first time around or else you'll never meet your deadlines because you're constantly waiting for approval. 5) We believe in high performance TEAMS – Not solo acts - This one is somewhat true. They do believe in teams, however, it's teams of only certain people. Again, the clique of managers and the COO MUST BE INVOLVED in every decision you make - big or small. That's the team they are referring to. 6) We are all about improvement and for that to occur feedback is essential – Embrace it - Feedback is absolutely what you will get while working here, but dont expect it to be positive. You will be constantly told what you're doing wrong, why you're not a good employee, and how they can coach you to do things the "SI&A way" to be a better human being. Trust me...you dont want to do anything the "SI&A way" because that simply means you're an abusive dictator on a power trip who stifles individual thinking and growth. 7) We consider it everyone’s job to CREATE OUR FUTURE – Think, ideas matter - Think - only if it's in line with the COO. The minute you voice an alternate opinion daggers will be shot at you through the eyes of her and her minions. You will know instantly that you suck. How dare you think you could POSSIBLY know something these clowns dont. Seriously, shame on you. 8) We are flexible, not afraid of change or challenge – It IS an attitude… - They believe in change alright. The product, messaging, and even your job will change without warning. Again, dont say anything. Just go with the flow. OR ELSE! I think this pretty much sums it up. I have to say, that even a year later since working here I am still suffering from a bit of PTSD. It will take some time to get over the abusive culture of that organization and to regain my confidence as an employee and human being. But, if this is something you're excited about, I say go for it. SI&A is only the right fit for puppets and maybe a trained monkey because I doubt the money would ever talk back or speak up.

Explore other reviews about School Innovations & Achievement

5.0
Mar 3, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I was given the opportunity to ease my way into my career, with a lot of support & encouragement from my manager.

Cons

Working for a satellite office made communication difficult at times.

5.0
Aug 30, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

SI&A is fast-paced and fun company that I was happy and proud to be a part of for many years. During my time there I grew my skill set, made lifelong friends and received multiple promotions. Did I have to work for each one? You bet! Was every single day fun and exciting? Of course not – no rewarding career is without its bad days, hard conversations or lessons learned. But the business principals I learned, the connections I made and the skills I have taken with me will benefit me for the rest of my professional career. If you want to work hard, learn lots and have a good time doing it – this company could really be for you.

Cons

The industry that SI&A works in can be a tough one. Working with and selling to K-12 education can be difficult. Districts don’t move as fast as a private company can. I wouldn’t take too much stock in the ridiculously negative views that are posted here – every company has disgruntled former employees – and it’s stupidly easy to say horrible things about a place anonymously and when they have no chance to respond. This is a great small company that rewards people that show up with a good attitude, work hard and contribute to its growth.

5
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