29 Mar 2018
Anonymous employee
iMatrix (California) Response
8y“Wow!” you have quite a way with words - a creative way to get your point across. Let’s dig in…
Pros – Workplace culture has always been something that we’ve gotten right. I’m glad you got to experience it. We have always performed so well that we are constantly experiencing client & employee growth. This is how 8 people in a room can come to be. But like you said, you can create lifelong bonds with them, which is a great thing. I’m extremely proud of this because at the end of the day what really matters? It’s the people in your life that will matter. Not which room you were in. Anyway, the lease we had at the old office finally expired so we moved to a new building early this year. It sounds like you weren’t here long enough to enjoy the upgrade. We invested in building the new space while completing the old lease as is. That decision made perfect sense and I know the team is enjoying the new office. Remember, we quite literally started in an apartment kitchen and look at us now: We are 170 employees strong in a 25,000 sq ft state-of-the-art office. Growth like that does not always come quickly or easily. It’s truly a ‘we started from nothing’ success story. Lolz on the comment about the fire alarms. The toaster oven (sitting directly under a smoke detector) really caused some havoc, didn’t it? Especially when someone heated up a burrito wrapped in paper! Who puts paper in a toaster oven?! Someone who wants to set off smoke detectors and fire alarms, that’s who! Needless to say we no longer offer a toaster oven and there’s one employee who remains embarrassed to this day about it. So no outside life insurance is required to successfully and safely maneuver the halls of the Matrix anymore - lol! The sludge.. ah yes… a personal addiction of mine I do struggle with, admittedly. Like the scene from Open Season when Elliot finds a cup of coffee in the dumpster… “Yuck. Yuck! It's terrible and wonderful at the same time! It's like freedom in a cup!” Hahaha that scene kills me. It’s so funny because it’s so true. Why do we love coffee, even when it’s bad coffee? Because it’s coffee! And it’s AMAZING!
Cons - I personally find the blame game super frustrating as you do my friend but when you gather a group of humans to accomplish a goal it can get dicey at times. At work it’s never fun I’ll give you that, but I’m not convinced the managers exist solely to assign blame. To be honest, managers have it tough. These are front line positions that have to drive results. We are here to be a healthy, growing, and profitable company. That can’t be accomplished by resting on our heels. As a general statement, there are some really great people employed here at the manager ranks. If you clashed with yours specifically I’m very sorry about that. “Twisted like a rag full of oil and sweat into the bucket...” Such a great visual! What I have learned is that typically when employees feel this way it’s because of self-induced pressure to perform. So under all of the colorful commentary in your review I can see why you were hired originally. You are super creative, you have the ability to perform, and you have the internal pressure within that drives you to want to rise to the occasion. Unfortunately, but clearly, something broke down along the way in the communications between you & your manager. I have found that when I feel that same way it’s time to speak up, draw boundaries to ensure you maintain your work-life balance, and to ensure whoever you are working for respects that, and ultimately respects you. The key is honest and direct communication, at all levels, at all times. Lastly, if you were ever yelled at by anyone at the company, that is absolutely not ok at any level. Period.
In closing re your advice to management suggesting we quit. Simply put? No. I have no intention of quitting. I love this company. I helped build this company, along with many other committed, passionate do-gooders. Our work here is not done. Are we perfect? No. But are we awesome? Absolutely! We are the ones who effort every single day to support and grow the success of our clients and our teams. We are the ones who created this one of a kind culture that everyone is proud of and enjoys being a part of. Our corporate office has every right to pressure us for results. It is our duty to rise to the occasion and give them the expected results; but in our way. In the most fun, creative, dynamic and passionate of ways possible. I would love to meet up with you for a cup of sludge to talk in person about all of this. Meet me in person at SBUX & I’ll treat you to a $12 cup of high quality Joe while we really talk. One, I love your writing style, so I have a feeling I already like you personally, but I would love the opportunity to turn this anonymous (though very well and colorfully written) review into real life conversation. I will read “On a Pale Horse” prior to our meet up. Call me. Linda