Pros
With the right attitude and work ethic, you can stay at Summit Electric Supply for a long time. There is the potential to earn a good wage and to work in an environment where your contribution matters. Summit is a sales focused organization that strives to compete through customer service, not price slashing. A strong focus on this mission helps to make it clear where you should focus your efforts and a strong statement of values can guide you toward the right decisions. If you are honestly solving problems and trying to help provide the customer the best service possible, you have a lot of flexibility with your decisions.
Cons
As a sales focused organization, there are fewer opportunities for non-sales positions. The pay may be pretty good, but there are practical limits to what non-sales employees can earn and other benefits are average at best. You will likely be looking for praise and recognition from co-workers, not management. When management does try to motivate and recognize, it is often well-intentioned but ill-conceived. At times, it is silly or even condescending. With a large sales force, there are many overbearing personalities demanding that you help them solve their perceived problems in their preferred manner. You need to be assertive right back and stick to your decisions when you know you are right. Overbearing personalities sometimes step over the values statement when frustrated with co-workers and management might not call them on this. "I'm just trying to service the customer" is a common refrain and the magic phrase that excuses bad behavior. As an electric parts wholesaler, Summit is susceptible to fluctuating markets. In particular, slumps in building negatively affect the company as a whole. The outside sales force is commission based compensation, so when sales are down, stress throughout the business rises - as it should - but it makes for a less comfortable working environment.