When a communication company tries"to do Retail": a disaster from start to end.
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
The way they present themselves or they "appear" during the first steps. Parties, image, all that concerns their inner role. Visual communication. Unfortunately it lasts one night only then reality kicks in.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Basically everything that has to do with Retail.
People are new in this role and many already "left the boat" because, concerning how they are working, it seems to be sinking.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Starting with a much "clearer" and honest way of communication.
Saying things for what they are. Stop immediately with promises and expectations and start to deal with Facts.
Pay people for what they actually do. If a Store Manager deal with more teams, pay him according to the job he is doing.
Do not spam at any hour of the day.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
People are young and nice; the problem is "a very strong feeling" of things not being able to be solved in any field of the company. This fact, more than a feeling, stays in any single line of the hierarchy.
Kommunikation
A Communication company that is not able to communicate. Biggest problem for Avantgarde. No one knows what has to be done, when, how and why. Things are left in hold, not explained, explained wrongly and so on. Then, if a decision is finally made to please their customer, after one week you can be sure that an e-mail will come with a complete different procedure to take than the previous announced and wanted. Messages, e-mail, phone call at any time of the day and evening. No privacy, family time or time off respected.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
Not so good. Almost everyone seems to be unhappy because all the things promised from the beginning of their job slowly vanish month by month. As the time goes by the employees feel not taken seriously in consideration and start to work less.
Work-Life-Balance
Really bad. Often the Area Managers tell you to "work less" and concentrate on your private life to be happy and so on. Then, as soon you don't take a call, reply to a message, e-mail or request, also during your free time, it starts to be uncomfortable because they underline at some point that you were not ready to deal with the task.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
They are under a lot of pressure. They pass this pressure to the next "level" of the chain without realizing that it's a sick circle.
Interessante Aufgaben
A few tasks are interesting, like recruiting people, travelling to help other stores or coping with more than one team at the same time. It would be very nice if at some point all those things would be recognized, and the employees thanked for their efforts.
Gleichberechtigung
Not there. From Store Manager to Store Manager people are treated differently. As long you stay a "yes man" everything is fine.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
NO problem there, as there are none.
Arbeitsbedingungen
Standard. The good thing is that the clients are made feel welcomed in store. Caffee, and something to eat are always offered and the atmosphere is nice.
Umwelt-/Sozialbewusstsein
No hint about it.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The salary is below the standard compared to
1) many Retail company that offer this kind of service for a very big client (Avantgarde pushes Philip Morris products, there shouldn't be problems paying people more)
2) the amount of tasks given to the employees and the high every day expectations
Image
Normal.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Forget about it. Promises and promises. It doesn't matter if you deal with far more that was written in your contract. The aim is to squeeze the person like a lemon.