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Oblong Industries

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Hello, Goodbye - Anonymous employee Oblong Industries Employee Review

2.0
Aug 7, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fascinating technology, literally grew out of Hollywood special effects visualizations and looks awesome compared to other tech in corporate offices and meeting rooms Strong, focused, dedicated team Visionary, inspiring CEO Treated employees with respect and courtesy, up to and after termination (at least in my case) Basically, all the same positives mentioned in other reviews.

Cons

Major layoff in late June 2017, about 25-30 people out of about 100 total (numbers are guesses, likely not exact), hit all divisions - sales, engineering, etc. Basically everyone who had been there less than a year, plus a few others. For many of us who had been recruited and left other jobs (some relocated for Oblong, then got let go only a few months in) the reduction prompted a “why did you staff up a few months ago?” reaction. If they start hiring again in 2017 or 2018, I would suggest negotiating a golden parachute into any role in case they decide to suddenly modify staffing levels again. As cool as the technology is, in some ways it is still a solution in search of a problem. Adoption and growth after landing an account is hard, manual work (as is, frequently, just keeping systems running as there are many interconnected systems and potential points of failure). Very, very dependent on one large customer (who is also having financial difficulties and layoffs of their own) and efforts to diversify revenue sources have been unsuccessful. Channel development (and channel relationships/trust) is minimal or non-existent. Similar revenue challenges and mass exodus at primary competitor don’t bode well for this entire tech segment.

Explore other reviews about Oblong Industries

5.0
Mar 24, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Management Work Life Balance Remote

Cons

not many cons, just do your job

5.0
Jun 26, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I've been at Oblong for many years now as a g-speak engineer and have watched people come and go, and I have watched the company as it has gone through its highs and lows. It saddens me to see so many negative reviews. Throughout my entire tenure at Oblong, I have only witnessed the leadership of the company do everything in their power to provide the best possible working environment for the employees and build a successful company. There are many negative reviews about the sales organization and I think this may simply be due to lack of insight into that organization. Without insight into the strategy and day-to-day workings of the sales organization, it's likely easy to misconstrue the charismatic CRO. It is my opinion, however, that he, along with the other members of the leadership team are responsible for the successes we've had. Oblong is a stand-up organization that hires the best talent and strives for nothing short of perfection. I am proud to have called it home for close to a decade.

Cons

cross-team communication and communication in general has improved over the years but continues to be one of our greatest weaknesses.

3
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