An Honest Take on Working at MPB
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
MPB isn’t the worst place to work, but it’s not the best either. It has potential, but a lot of that depends on whether leadership listens to employees and makes necessary changes. If you’re looking for a job that pays the bills and offers some exposure to the photography industry, it might be okay. But if you’re looking for long-term career growth, competitive pay, and a truly engaging work culture, you might want to explore other options.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Better Salary & Benefits:
More competitive pay and actual performance-based rewards would improve motivation.
Clearer Career Progression:
tructured development programs and internal promotions based on merit.
More Transparency from Management:
Employees should feel secure in their roles rather than constantly guessing what’s next.
Improved Work-Life Balance:
Recognizing and compensating overtime work would go a long way.
Stronger Sustainability Initiatives:
Moving beyond just selling second-hand gear to making real internal environmental improvements.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
The atmosphere within the Berlin office is, well, a bit tense, especially when certain managers are present. Conversations tend to be minimal, leading to a somewhat strained environment.
Kommunikation
There's a perception that the teams from the UK treat the German team in a somewhat condescending manner. Moreover, local leadership seems to struggle with asserting authority, leading to communication breakdowns.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
While there's potential for strong teamwork, the current environment sometimes feels like it's "team against team," which can hinder collaboration.
Work-Life-Balance
The company maintains fixed working hours until at least 5:30 PM, and, unfortunately, any overtime isn't compensated. This structure can make achieving a healthy work-life balance somewhat challenging.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
There have been instances where management decisions, such as unexpected employee terminations, have left many feeling uncertain about their job security.
Interessante Aufgaben
The actual work can be interesting, depending on your role. As an Account Manager, you get to work with customers, solve problems, and engage with the photography community. However, there’s a fair amount of repetitive tasks, and sometimes you’re expected to handle more than what’s in your job description.
Gleichberechtigung
Diversity is improving, but there are still gaps. The leadership team could do more to ensure a truly inclusive culture, rather than just ticking the right boxes. Pay gaps and promotional opportunities could also be more transparent.
Arbeitsbedingungen
The office has faced challenges like noise disruptions due to nearby construction. Additionally, employees have been encouraged to use their personal phones for work purposes, which isn't ideal.
Umwelt-/Sozialbewusstsein
MPB positions itself as a sustainable business, which makes sense given its focus on second-hand camera gear. However, it sometimes feels like sustainability is more of a marketing tool than a deep company value. There are no significant internal initiatives promoting sustainability beyond the core business model.
Gehalt/Benefits
The salary is… okay. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not competitive for Berlin’s cost of living, especially considering the level of responsibility. There are no real performance-based bonuses or meaningful raises, which makes long-term motivation difficult. Benefits exist, but they’re pretty standard—nothing that stands out.
Image
Externally, MPB presents itself as an innovative and forward-thinking company. Internally, it doesn’t always live up to that image. The brand is strong in the photography world, but working behind the scenes doesn’t always reflect the same level of excitement.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Opportunities for career advancement exist; however, there's a noticeable lack of structured training programs. Additionally, the company doesn't offer many perks or benefits to support employee growth.