I occasionally check out Glassdoor reviews to get a sense of what my peers are feeling, the reasons why a former employee left, and to gauge company culture. I have never written a Glassdoor review or have felt compelled to until today. Scrolling through some of the reviews on here made me laugh out loud at my desk (which is slightly embarrassing since Goodway Group is a virtual company).
I felt the title of my review was fitting, not only is it one of my favorite Bob Dylan lyrics, but it relates very well to several of the low-scoring reviews I read today. There are a couple reasons why I have chosen to justify spending the time writing a review.
1. If you are a prospective employee, you deserve to read a review that contains no BS and only the truth, so you can make a well-founded decision for you career. This isn’t going to be a glowing review that pretends Goodway doesn’t have any cons. Companies are powered by all different people, employees with varying backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, experiences, etc. Bringing that many people together with the stress of driving success and profitability of a company, there will be cons. It’s inevitable.
2. The people that do work hard at Goodway deserve the recognition and respect for the truly special culture they have built.
I have seen on many of the reviews that Goodway was “better 2 years ago”. If Goodway was still heading in the same strategic direction we were two years ago, I’d be terrified. Goodway Group is in the Ad Tech industry, our world changes daily. New tech emerges, new capabilities, new data, I could go on and on. If someone thinks Goodway was better two years ago, it’s most likely because they are uncomfortable with change and continually pushing yourself to learn and grow. I know some people like to just come to work, do the same thing for years, and want to stay complacent. I’ll be honest with you, not only is Goodway not right for you – nothing in digital advertising will be good a fit.
I’ve also seen on here that key employees are leaving at an alarming pace, there have been some longer-term Goodway employees that have left but to be honest I think it’s mutually beneficial. From what I have observed (and I’m not an executive or department head), many that left have a hard time with change and wanted things to be like they were 5+ years ago. Also, some left because two former Goodway Employees left and have attempted to start their own “agency”, some chose to jump ship because they replicated the business model Goodway had years ago and that’s more comfortable for people who don’t want to do something new. In my personal opinion, anyone who would jump ship from a 90 year old company to go to an agency that is being led by people that think it’s okay to lie and steal for their own personal gains is a fool. I don’t think key people left, I think key roadblocks left.
Some reviews said you have to be in with the right “cliques” to get anywhere. For anyone reading this review, you have figured out we are a virtual company. I think it’s pretty challenging to develop actual cliques that make people not being able to advance, we interact mostly via IM, email, and video call meetings. I think what helps people to advance is working hard, not complaining, and trying your best every day. Anyone who wastes their time worrying about cliques probably won’t be advancing, if you value your time you would know worrying about what other people think is a waste of energy. I have continually advanced or made lateral moves within Goodway and I will tell you I am part of no clique.
People have also said that Goodway changes policies, practices, and expectations too often. We are in an industry where you have to change to stay relevant. Goodway was founded in 1919 as a printing company. Here we are in 2019 still relevant and profitable, it’s crucial to continually change and evolve to keep a company around that long. I will never complain about the efforts from leadership to change, it’s what has kept us around and is the reason I even have a job at Goodway.
Some pros I would highlight personally at Goodway:
- Ability to create your own path. Being a smaller company, there are infinite opportunities for growth and career paths.
- Smart leadership. Our President, Jay Friedman, is in Ad Tech publications frequently. It’s obvious he knows what is talking about and is a thought-leader in our industry. Gives me reassurance that our company vision will remain aligned with the industry and where things need to go.
- Flexible Schedule. We work from home, but GG also some options for WeWork and community work spots if you’d want to go there. I’ve had upper management say to me “if you can get your work done by 3, then log off.” Nice to not have so much pressure. Also unlimited PTO begins soon at GG, which I’m really looking forward to.
- Company culture. I have made some of my best friends at Goodway over the years and all in different departments. It’s always like a family reunion on our 2x a year all-company trips. There have been people that travel on their own time to see each other, people that actually become roommates, and spouses that both work at Goodway. It’s pretty cool to see how a virtual environment can still foster close relationships.
