Pros
I've been at eShipping for 3.5 years and there's a reason why I've stayed. The atmosphere and the environment are truly different than any other business I've worked for. My coworkers are dedicated, genuine, and consistently go above and beyond - and they all do it for each other. There is no one here who is out to accomplish their own personal agenda at the expense of others, instead everyone here has a common goal - to work together to build something successful that will benefit each other's families, our community, and even the lives of our clients. It can sound like a cliche phrase, but I have heard stories first hand of people, even clients, who have been touched by the noticeable genuine hearts of the people here.
Every business has goals and challenges to meet and hard work to do, there's no getting around that. But even then, the leadership team works hard to give clarity as to what those goals are, how we will get there, and what is expected from each of us - in a way the sets us up for success, not the impossible, and in a way that shows how each business segment is going to work TOGETHER to make it happen.
I have also seen first hand how much the leadership team cares about the employees. There is no way they can each be closely involved with every employee day to day, but each time something has come to their attention, they have been quick to address it, open with their hearts and minds to listen to an individual, and collaborative in coming up with solutions. And when someone is going through an especially difficult time in their personal lives, it blows me away how understanding and compassionate they are. A leadership team like this is almost impossible to find anywhere else!
Because the company is growing so quickly, there is a lot of opportunity for people who take their work seriously and put their heart into what they do. I've been given opportunities during my time here to take lead on things, build things, and participate in things I wouldn't have gotten at a company that was old and established and inflexible. The opportunities may not arise immediately or very often, but for those people who consistently give their best, the opportunities for growth are there. I have learned so much and grown as a professional and as a person during my time here. There's just no way I would have come this far in this amount of time anywhere else.
As far as other comments on this website about religious views or requirements - I have never felt as though the company or anyone in the company was telling me I needed to ascribe to a certain set of beliefs. In fact, I've been in several meetings where the CEO has explained how the element of "faith" or a "moral compass" is different for each person. He challenges each of us to think of what it means to us and how it shapes the decisions we make and the way we approach our work, along with other values like integrity, loyalty, and maximizing our own potential.
Overall, the company is a place where we can be our genuine selves. There's no need for a "work me" and a "at-home me" - here I am free to simply strive to be my best throughout the day. This makes work meaningful, and the relationships I've made really valuable. And, honestly, it somehow makes me a better person at home too.
Cons
One downside is that as the company grows, it is hard to keep up with all the new people. You really have to go out of your way to introduce yourself and make connections - especially when when you work in different parts of the building (however, the community lunch area does help facilitate those conversations some).
You have to be good at balancing your workload, and knowing when to ask for help. The management team isn't going to micromanage it for you, so you can't be afraid to speak up if you need something or are feeling overwhelmed. If you're not able to prioritize well and ask for help, you will likely get overwhelmed and become upset. (The good news is, they've always been willing to work with us on these things if we bring them up, and it's always positive.)
A growing company means you have to work extra hard at times to fill in holes and help support other teams. You've got to be scrappy, and willing to give a little extra to help each other succeed. It can be exhausting at times (but so far it's been worth it).
