Pros
Anaplan has a great product that offers high value to the right customers. Additionally, the customer base consistently grows it use of the technology as it offers so much flexibility in multiple lines of business and areas of use. This is absolutely due to the dedication, ingenuity and values of the founders of this firm. Although innovation has slowed over the last year or two it still blows new customers away with it's capabilities. The challenge is simply showing the value of the platform against point solutions that are often half the cost; some customers see it and need it and quite simply, some do not.
Cons
Anaplan's corporate culture is in a state of flux with a recently ousted CEO and a relatively new C-Suite. The lack of central leadership with the CEO void has left the firm with the feel of a rudderless ship where the culture of growth and innovation have been replaced by the appearance of desperate cost-cutting to support revenue growth and an everyone for themselves attitude. This has led to rapid turnover of the sales force aided by the low percentage of reps hitting their annual quotas over the last year. This was exacerbated with an edict to nearly double the salesforce. Additionally, there has been shadow lay-offs that have left gaps in product development, HR, and customer success to name a few. Until these challenges are addressed with the proper alignment of the C-suite, the addition of a visionary CEO that is not made of tech-dinosuar DNA and realistic goal-setting for sales growth, this is a company to avoid.
