Pros
A few really good people that have helped the company grow and greatly care about the people and the products. A good place to start your career and grow your knowledge of multiple business functions. A lot of growth opportunities to take advantage of. Catered lunches once a week and ping pong tournaments (at least when I left a few years ago). A lot of company celebrations and lunches.
Cons
Struggles to follow their motto of “treat others as you wish to be treated.” In my time at Zymo Research, I was rudely told that I was stupid many times, including many times by the CEO, and belittled for identifying problems that I thought needed to be addressed. The pay structure is extremely poor, with lower than average salaries, especially for positions that aren’t entry level. The bonus structure at the company is scattered and heavily weighted in Research and Development’s favor. Zymo Research has a huge political problem and a big rumor culture. I have witnessed the CEO hear a great idea from a manager and squash it, but then steal the idea and propose it as his own idea a few days later to a different crowd. He then claimed it was his idea and belittled the manager that initially proposed it. Managers also talk poorly about employees behind their backs and do whatever it takes to get the CEOs praise, even if its making decisions that are wrong for the company. The company hasn't hired high-level leaders and will often promote people into major leadership roles directly from an entry level position. The company then does not provide adequate training or mentorship for those individuals. Although this provides great opportunity for some, it sets up the company to fail because its leaders don’t always have the experience to make the best decisions. Research and Development is responsible for nearly everything and is constantly involved in marketing, manufacturing, customer service, technical support, and sales. I was often pulled off of my main project to handle other duties outside of my normal responsibilities to the detriment of my project. The company has no true sales team and hires only the bare minimum in other departments. There is no way the company can survive with only 1 graphic designer, 1 IT person, 1 HR person, etc.
