Amazing colleagues but very questionable leadership / management
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
I recently was dismissed by KI Performance, part of the KI Group, and would like to share my experience during my short tenure to provide transparency for others considering opportunities within the organization.
The onboarding process was exceptionally well-organized and smooth. The HR team ensured that all relevant information was easily accessible, which made transitioning into the role seamless. Additionally, I had the pleasure of working with outstanding colleagues across the different office locations (Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich) and other KI Group companies (KI Professionals, Impact AI, and KI Performance). The atmosphere among colleagues was welcoming, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable, making collaboration a highlight of my experience.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Despite these positives, I observed several critical issues that detracted from my overall experience:
1. Lack of Strategic Clarity
From the outset, it became apparent that the company’s long-term strategy and goals were insufficiently defined, if at all. This lack of direction was particularly evident concerning my role. Despite friendly interactions with the managing director of KI Group and the directors of KI Performance, there was no clear vision for why I was hired or how my role fit into the broader company objectives.
2. Contractual Discrepancy
Upon starting in November, I was presented with a contract identical to the one I had signed in July but was informed that it was now with KI Performance GmbH instead of KI Group, without a detailed explanation. This seemed unusual and raised initial concerns about organizational transparency.
3. Layoffs and Poor Communication
During my four-week tenure, I learned that a significant number of employees had been laid off across various KI Group verticals (KI Professionals, KI Performance, Impact AI) before my arrival. Another colleague was laid off just six weeks into their role during my time there. These terminations, coupled with the lack of a clear sales strategy or guidance from my superiors, created an unsettling work environment.
4. Questionable Termination Process
My own termination was handled poorly and left much to be desired in terms of professionalism. After providing informal feedback to HR about the lack of strategic input and guidance, I was invited to a meeting with the managing director and HR the subsequent week. I anticipated a discussion on these concerns, but instead, I was unexpectedly laid off in a video conference on the basis of dubious reasons. The handling of the process was more than disappointing - my direct supervisor, who is normally in Cologne and had signed the cancellation letter, was present in the Munich office but avoided any personal contact. After the cancellation meeting, my direct superior had already left. Subsequent attempts to contact him were completely ignored, and no personal conversation ever took place.
Broader Observations
In conversations with longer-tenured employees, many reported that morale and organizational structure had significantly deteriorated in 2024. Key issues included:
* Actionism and Unstructured Work Practices: Decisions and workflows often lacked coherence or strategy.
* Management and Communication: The approach to leadership and internal communication left employees feeling undervalued and unclear about their roles.
* Unclear Target Structure: The lack of defined goals contributed to dissatisfaction.
Advice for Prospective Employees
While the camaraderie among colleagues is exceptional, I strongly recommend conducting thorough due diligence, particularly regarding the company’s strategic direction, communication practices, and management structure.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
Work-Life-Balance
Kollegenzusammenhalt
Vorgesetztenverhalten
Kommunikation
Gehalt/Benefits
Interessante Aufgaben
Arbeitgeber-Kommentar
Dear Former Colleague,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your experience at KI performance and the KI group. We genuinely appreciate your openness, as it helps us identify areas where we can improve and grow as an organization.
We are truly sorry to hear that your time with us was impacted by challenges. Your feedback highlights important aspects we need to address, and we would like to provide clarity on some of the points you raised.
Regarding the contractual discrepancy you mentioned, we’d like to provide further context. During your pre-onboarding and onboarding process we went through an internal restructuring, and it turned out that your contract being issued directly with KI performance. To ensure proper alignment and to fully integrate your role into the team structure, we issued your contract under KI performance GmbH. This decision had no negative implications for you but was designed to align your role with the operational needs of the team. This adjustment was also discussed with you to ensure full transparency and understanding of the reasoning behind it.
Your feedback about the lack of strategic clarity is valid and reflects an area we are actively addressing. During the restructuring phase, our long-term strategy was under review, which understandably caused some uncertainties. To improve this, we have introduced structured updates such as regular All-Hands, Weekly Stand Ups with the whole team, and Town Halls. These sessions are intended to share updates on developments, goals, and organizational changes while creating opportunities for open discussions and feedback to ensure alignment and improved communication across all levels.
We also want to address your comments about the termination process. We deeply regret that this experience left you feeling unsupported, as it does not reflect the values we strive to uphold. Since then, we have implemented additional training programs for our managers to enhance their ability to handle sensitive conversations effectively. While terminations are always challenging, we are committed to managing these situations with the care and attention they deserve.
Despite the challenges you faced, we are pleased to hear that you valued the collaboration within the team. The strong team spirit at KI performance remains one of the backbones of our culture, and it reflects the work atmosphere we aim to foster.
KI performance is a company undergoing change. While we acknowledge that we have had some challenging times, we are committed to learning and evolving. Feedback like this helps us grow and ensures that we create a workplace defined by transparency, clarity, and respect.
If you would like to discuss your feedback further or share additional thoughts, we invite you to reach out to us directly by email. We value your perspective and are always open to constructive dialogue.
Thank you again for your honest feedback. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Your PX Team