employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Straight North

Is this your company?

Decent Workplace With Room For Improvement - Content Marketing Specialist Straight North Employee Review

3.0
May 1, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone I have worked with is kind and management takes a more servant leadership approach. The work relationships are positive, and management is great in terms of mutual support. Work is consistent and independent from other coworkers, which can be nice at times. Remote working has been a wonderful addition and offers a more open schedule and independence. They offer competitive wages. The technology we use, specifically the hardware, is updated and we use software that is commonplace in the industry. Additionally, they promote a great work-life balance. Which also relates to adequate perks, amenities, and employee wellness programs such as a free gym membership.

Cons

I think this company could be open to more opportunities to grow internally and to apply more flexibility toward operations. In a recent company presentation, the CEO discusses the safest way to keep your job secure is to create indispensable value. Our strategy hasn’t been updated since 2019 and since then the external environment has demanded it to be (-IE, July 2021 core update, December 2022 core update). It’s the employee’s responsibility to be motivated and create value, I agree. But it is management’s responsibility to allow that value to be maximized and frankly in the role I am in it doesn’t feel to be the case. I think opportunities internally need to be given that way we feel challenged. I think the ASAP program is a nice start, but it is not enough. Open opportunities to learn more and create new positions that show your attentiveness to the willingness for growth. Everyone wants better here, and in our position, there is only so much we as lower-level employees can control. On top of that, I think the link-building model we use is outdated. People are not interested in posting for free as they once were and if they are it requires more proof of quality and trust which we don’t have as much access to. Publishers of high-quality sites that do require payment are requesting more, not less. I would love to be more selective about our opportunities, but our bonus structure relies on the completeness of tasks, which creates a principal agent problem. Everyone wants better here, and in our position, there are only so much lower-level employees can control. Great companies hire and give opportunities within and react quickly to changes in the industry.

avatar
Straight North Response
3y
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review! It sounds like you enjoy the positive relationships with your coworkers and management, along with the consistent work and flexibility of remote work and your work-life balance. In addition, you also like the competitive salary, technology, free gym membership and other benefits/perks. Our goal is to make sure we take care of our team members. We know you have a choice when it comes to the company that you work for. We want you to enjoy your job and continue producing the amazing work that you do every day for our clients. As a small business, we do as much as we can to take care of team members like you, while also leading our company to grow and improve. From an improvement standpoint, related to your position, it sounds like you would welcome more opportunities to grow and apply more flexibility towards our workflow. We are currently in the middle of working on an improved service delivery model for the content marketing team. Your manager is leading these efforts under a documented roadmap. As pieces of the improved model are completed, we will reach a point where new job roles will be created and new workflows will be put in place. As you can imagine, these things take time as this work needs to be done in tandem with the delivery of completed work for our clients. Your manager will keep you in the loop as progress is made on improving our content marketing service delivery model. Your feedback on your position and our company is valuable, as your job role improves and we become a better business with your feedback. The best way to seek actionable steps forward is to request a meeting with your manager. Having face-to-face discussions about your ideas, desires and concerns is the best way to communicate and create a path towards improvement. Your manager can also share details and insights with you that you may not currently have, which will help you see the full picture of our service delivery model. Thanks again for your review and we look forward to making improvements to our business based on your feedback.

Explore other reviews about Straight North

5.0
May 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment, open door policy and great family culture.

Cons

Smaller company, so salary and compensation is slightly below industry standards.

4.0
Jan 28, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Straight North is a great place for those seeking long-term employment with a company that they can proudly stand by. Truly, this agency is what many job seekers in the marketing industry hope for in terms of culture and management. SN is very flexible. Whether it's setting hours, PTO requests, or special accommodations, this company is reasonable. Management is also understanding and works with you. You will not find tyrannical micromanagers here, just down-to-earth, kind-hearted individuals. The workplace is akin to a collaborative classroom where we're constantly learning and trying new strategies. Every employee is talented and valued for it. In the 5+ years of working here, I've never had a bad interaction with my coworkers. In fact, it's always been insightful, supportive, and fun. One more thing to highlight at Straight North is the HR department. Anytime I describe some of the benefits or culture to friends and family, they're all baffled (albeit jealous) at how understanding and positive our HR is. Issues get resolved quickly, perks are always getting refreshed or added, and you never feel ignored. Truly, one of the shining lights of Straight North.

Cons

The first couple of years were difficult due to low pay, but after some promotions and bonuses, salary is no longer a top concern. Although it is still not ideal nor consistent, it's way better than the first two years of employment. Certain departments receive more opportunities and recognition than others, but I feel that's how it is across many marketing agencies. Straight North has tried to address this, and I believe this imbalance isn't intentional.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All