Pros
dont usually write these posts put feel like a couple of my former colleagues are taking out there frustrations here so i want to help the uninitiated understand the reality.
The BOTTOM LINE on the company NOW: Lots of Smart People, Treat Employees Well, Good Managers
New Business - MAX is doing some really cool stuff that helps consumers better decide on the #1 or #2 biggest purchase they make and is growing faster than any company i have friends working at.
Lots of work on process improvement (line mgt catching up to scale) in last 2 years paying off in a big way (examples: data operations are very reliable vs. two years ago; products have low defect rates, etc.)
Cons
Kept too many underperformers and disgruntled types around for too long (this has gotten a lot better recently and makes it a stronger, more enjoyable team)
Product Mgt and Engineering management in Chicago is the source of most of the negativity you might read about working here. There is new mgt over these areas (known as FirstLook) which seems to have a ton of relevant experience so the outlook looks much better.