There is an underlying problem with the management of this organization, their quarter to quarter, Restricted Stock and bonus related approach means that Execs typically come and go inside 2-3 years, making little difference and serving only themselves in order to earn their next big payout. Various individuals from some of the largest US banks have been drafted in commanding huge salaries and making zero difference, apart from their considerable salaries' effect on the bottom line.
The latest IT structure, from the remnants of Columbus Data Services (CDS), is based on promotion of favorites and friends, with little experience of managing an IT organization that resides on the NASDAQ. Current CIO relies on humor to mask his shortcomings, but his strategy is clear; keep and promote CDS personnel, move out Cardtronics old guard and limit those remaining to bit part positions in the hope they will leave the business so he can bring in someone cheaper, or one of his friends.
There is an imbalance in the management to worker ratio; there are more VPs and SVPs than there are people to actually carry out the work, an extremely top-heavy organization that in the last year has lost much its expertise with their core products, whether that be development or operations.
Cardtronics was once a fine place to work, with a family feel with morale being high and the job rewarding. Two CIOs later and things are more bleak than ever, despite an impressive new building and the promise of some strong corporate values, the organization is letting its employees down badly. Couple that with a declining market and a lack of diversification, I would not expect much longevity from a career here unless some radical changes come in to play.
