They only promote from within and have fallen prey to the notion if you're "ok" at sales and stick it out long enough, you should be promoted to a manager. This has led to management without a clue on how to successfully lead and manage a successful team. I felt berated and attacked during pipe reviews and spent a significant portion of my time navigating mood swings and walking on egg shells. "Favorites" are handed better accounts and ripe deals. I felt incredibly misled about professional development opportunities and realistic earnings. You're treated like a child with adult expectations. A few examples - rigid hours and only allowed to go lunch between 12-1. If you do something "wrong" you're "punished" - extra pipe reviews, told to dress business professional despite this being a 100% over the phone job, or forced to work longer hours. Expect to have your calls listened to in front of everyone - management has no issue talking over your customer - the idea is to not listen to your customer when you have them on the phone and just parrot back whatever your manager is telling you. Isn't 99% of sales listening to the customer and trying to understand their needs?
Honestly, it's a boiler room atmosphere with a Wolf of WallStreet sales mentality. You stay incredibly late (sometimes 10 PM) the "closing day" of each month. You're encouraged to strong arm customers and use sleazy sales tactics to get the sales no matter the cost - usually at the expense of the customer. Everyone is only out for number one. Be prepared for quarterly reviews where you're defending your right to be there. Despite what they say, feedback is not welcome and even if they listen, nothing changes.
If you're fresh out of college, can't find anything else, and just want sales experience, it isn't the worst place to cut your teeth. But if you're already established in your career and have worked for reputable companies, stay away. This experience not only hurt my professional confidence (I've been successful everywhere but Meltwater) and drained my savings, but it's a black mark on my resume I'm embarrassed to talk about.
