Pros
-Really great and talented young professionals across all departments early in -Undeniable passion for helping make meaningful changes in education. -New innovative approach to education in k-12 space.
Cons
Every hypergrowth company has its growing pains. This one is just painful. No one knows the customer and you can see it in how the company plans their overall strategy. Any yes it’s a boys club in the c-suite. And if you are not liked, especially if you are different… you will not make it here. Everything is about numbers, which makes sense to a point, but foundational work has not even been completed because there is a lack of discipline. Usually, there should be a good mix of stretch execs and experienced execs in growth companies. At Paper, they are extremely generous with STRETCH execsS. Many of the executive team have never actually experienced another tech company, let alone have experience growing at scale. I at one point, many of them may have been amazing for the company, but as the company has grown, it is clear that they are outside of their expertise. Many mid-managers and below have a bunch of experience working in these environments but are ignored or let go. I think marketing has been the saddest department to witness implosion. Weird titles, no plan, and morale are clearly in the dumps. and no clear leader? The CX team is pretty close with unattainable goals and a leader who clearly is unable to motivate in hard times. Sales have no clear guidance on regional plans but not for lack of trying to get it. There is also a very toxic leader who has no corporate experience yet likes to use her title and closeness to executive to get her way. Product - the guiding star is w/e the CEO or COO feel like that morning. Many recent layoffs have occurred, and people get dumped responsibilities without improvement of pay or even spot bonuses. Canadian and USA employees are not compensated the same way the USA makes incredibly more, and everyone is told they are paying bands, but my manager has never been able to share or point to a band. SLT is all white males and 1 female- for a company that boasts equity I am shocked customers haven't questioned this.