Avoid if you need more than a temporay job
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Finally listen to their staff before they leave one after another.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
Cognitec is an environment of often uncoordinated efforts, constant chaos, and clashes where the ‘non-hierarchical’ organizational structure throws everyone into the fray with conflicting goals and nobody present with authority to take ownership due to frequent MD interference. The satellite offices are often left to themselves; deep interaction and therefore teamwork exists only in limited form.
Kommunikation
Processes, if they exist, exist on paper only. Subject matter experts are either often not heard / consulted at all, or their contributions end up being overturned, because resistance to improvements and fixes is especially high in software development, and product management ineffective.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
Employee turnover for software development, technical support and especially IT is high; headcount fell almost 50% in recent years.
HR support for the common employee is below what would be needed, due to ineffectiveness, being somewhat paralyzed, and abstaining from positive changes (as with most other departments) due to fear of CEOs brash nature when approaching him.
The good thing is all this is kind of offset by being able to arrange things between people that matter, in order to get tasks done. But only so much if you intend to do more than what is necessary.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
The MD is a distrusting leader who lacks skills in both leadership and management. His neuroticism bleeds into every level of the business, leaving the executive team ineffectual, and the company without direction. He is is smart, and can add significant value in certain areas, but this is countered by irregular and strong bursts of micromanaging, that derail, demoralize and demotivate staff because it is often out of context and delivered in lecture format.
Arbeitsbedingungen
Essential improvements go without investment for years, staff battle against improper tools without any support, issues that are destroying the company's sales and brand -as well as key customer feedback and requests- are ignored for years despite being repeatedly brought up by key employees, because no-one is permitted to make a decision on anything above themselves – the MDs ego wouldn’t allow such power.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
Revenue and profit stagnate, bonuses are therefore rare. Externals and 'partners' are experincing way better compensation.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Personal development options and chances of climbing the corporate ladder are almost nil, promotion is basically due to MDs discretion and therefore you have to gel with him; the company also barely invests in training or certifications. Money is spend more willingly on external contractors than on in-house employees.