Pros
-Most of the employees are hard-working, well-intentioned, and fun to be around. Opportunities exist to collaborate with and learn from smart individuals with diverse skill sets; however, those relationships must be built on your own as there is not a functioning peer-to-peer or mentoring apparatus in place. -Lack of leadership or structure along with frequent organizational change creates opportunity for those willing to play the game. -New-ish office space is well appointed.
Cons
-Simply put, the CEO (and sole owner) is bad. Unethical. Impetuous. Bullying. While complaints about senior management, HR, etc. are warranted, they are, in my view, a product of the CEOs utter distaste for any/all checks on his ability to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. -The CEO’s rhetoric ("We are a family") and bluster ("We are the greatest company on earth because of the people within these walls") run counter to his actions, which make it abundantly clear that he cares more about how he is perceived by fellow CEOs/celebrities than the feelings and development of his own employees. His all-company addresses leave employees deflated and/or feeling like their intelligence has been insulted. Most employees simply tune him out and try to avoid him at all costs. -The CEO is impulsive, chasing ill-fated pet projects and triggering mass re-orgs to the detriment of the company. Senior leadership is neutered by design, as anyone who challenges the status quo is marginalized vs. celebrated. Those who have the CEO’s ear spend most of their time walking around on egg shells, living in fear or a temper tantrum or “special project” (wild goose chase) which will upend their lives. -The CEO is solely motivated by personal enrichment and prestige. Profit is the only discernible guiding ethos. There is a “by any means necessary” approach which permeates through the company, which would be ok if it didn’t include creating a culture of gossip and fear, overlooking HR issues for top earners and engaging in questionable business practices. -The net result is a chaotic environment where good work gets done in spite of him vs because of him and any/all pride derived from your work evaporates. Smart, well-intentioned people have dug in and tried to make improvements, but have largely failed due to the fact that the CEO does not want to change. Would not recommend unless you are willing compromise your integrity and fall in line.