Pros
+ Great work environment. Free food, frequent events, annual holiday. + Amazing training programme. Great opportunity to launch into a software career. Small and inexperienced company means that career opportunities are great if you are proactive about it. + Personally empowering. If someone wants to make a change, they are largely able to try and do so. The company is the sum of a lot of great people. + Generous bonuses for technical staff. It may seem like they underpay but the profit share scheme is genuinely great for technical staff. + Very smart staff. The staff are genuinely quick and quick-witted. It is empowering to be around them, both for their on-project work and what they otherwise contribute to the company.
Kontras
- Negative experience with people management. Key staff can be rude. Accusations of sexism are not uncommon. Processes in place to resolve issues here are underdeveloped ("have you tried avoiding them?") - Projects are largely uninspiring. The sales team do a great job trying to find interesting and worthwhile projects, but the consultancy nature of the business means that often we have to accept less than desirable projects. - General lack of experience. Often projects are run by the blind leading the blind. - Can sometimes leave staff feeling a bit 'used'. The company has a 'libertarian' attitude which means it gets involved minimally in the efforts of individuals; but is quite happy to take credit for these to put itself on a wider platform.