The management of this company has little trust in their people. They operate under a 4 inch think SOP which outlines how each person should do the simplest of tasks.
The daily "office talk" is always about who is on the owner's radar that day and who will be the next to get fired.
None of the C-level or VP level corporate staff (outside of the owners) really have any decision making ability. Everything has to be approved through the owners and he frequently ignores his employees making it almost impossible to get things done.
Cross communication between operations is frowned upon outside of a weekly meeting. There is no trust in the branches and management has a fear that they will "team up" against management. It is preferred that operations work in the dark apart from each other - rather than foster an environment of open communication.
Information regarding company performance is hoarded by the owner. Again, the basic thought is that employees can't be trusted and have no business knowing how the company is doing.
Bobble-heads and brown-nosers rule. Certainly don't try to bring anything knew to the table. Just smile and nod during the long-winded swearing sessions and you will get along just fine.
Since fear rules this culture most office staff focus on keeping their heads down, not taking any risks, and kissing up to their managers hoping that it will keep them under the radar.
Goals and Evaluations rarely exist. Tracking my performance was next to impossible because I was never given any goals or feedback - even though I asked for it continuously.
The best advice I can give - If an owner of a company ever spends over an hour trying to tell you how great his company is and how you need to go work for him - RUN...and don't look back.
