Pros
Without a doubt, the best part of working at Crayola was the amazing people. I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most genuinely talented, hardworking individuals who gave their all to this brand. We shared so many laughs through the daily grind, and I am incredibly grateful to leave with lifelong friends and mentors. The ground-level team is the only reason the wheels haven't fallen off completely.
Cons
Where to start? The contrast between the wonderful day-to-day teams and upper management is staggering. The current corporate climate has morphed into a toxic culture where employee morale is at an all-time low. There is a pervasive, constant fear among staff that they are next on the chopping block, which is entirely counterproductive to a creative-driven company. It’s a brown-nosing, “yes man” culture where true thought leadership has been stifled, it’s Pete’s way or the highway… and it seems like the downfall of Crayola will be watching all of the talent and knowledge walk out the door for ego. Pete’s Dictatorship: Pete’s profound lack of leadership is a massive issue. His view of leadership seems to be a “boots on the ground” style that lacks input and truly listening to what is being said. His ego will cause the single-handed demise of Crayola if something isn’t done. Leadership Council: The LC has completely lost touch with the ground-level reality and has no pulse on what is actually going on across the departments. People have been put into place in leadership who seem incapable of making firm decisions. They were put into place because they can speak “Pete,” but have yet to prove themselves successful. The outside help seem to look down on longtime Crayola people and see little value in their operational understanding. It seems like it’s trending towards a “boys club” where many are not welcome unless they fit the part. A Reactionary, Short-Sighted Strategy: There is no cohesive, long-term strategy here; leadership just frantically chases every immediate dollar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hallmark sells the brand to the highest bidder in the next few years.