Pros
I have been working in Sales at MobileCause for over two and half years. What i have found is this is one of the most dynamic start-ups i have had the pleasure of working for. Sure like any start-up, there are it's challenges in terms of starting with little initial structure, but found management to be highly responsive and inclusive in the process of creating more structure and support. A new CEO was put in place a year ago and while the company had been around for nearly 5 years prior, the company barely resembles today that of a year ago let alone two years ago. It is a fast growing business, winning some of the most prestigious Non-profit customers in the world. They are doing so with top notch product innovation, great customer service and disruptive pricing. For any salesperson this is what you call a'lob ball'. If you put in the hard work not only do you have a chance to make real money, but its a team and product that stands behind your sale. Additionally they are very active in providing leadership opportunities to top performers, create a fun on-going sales environment and have created a very diverse team. In the two years i have been there, there has been very little turnover. In fact perhaps only 2-3 across dozens of sales folks. The kind that make it here are driven, disciplined, team players, don't need a ton of hand holding and want to make money. Those that haven't weren't coachable, not disciplined, need a ton of guidance and frankly loaners and not team players. There are always a few of those in any sales organization and they tend to be the loudest noisemakers and generally blame others but themselves when they fail.
I LOVE this company, it is the best kept secret in Calabasas (or Southern California for that matter), a dynamic hard charging company on a fast track to success. It is a great team environment that includes Magic ever Friday, regular flowing food and snacks and fun games and spiffs. Also unlike other sales jobs this company is generous and often gives out stock option awards, iPad's and other cool tech toys. I have been lucky enough to win options a few times and have received them. I wouldn't be surprised to see this company acquired in a couple years. In addition i want to acknowledge management as top notch, super fair (almost too fair - see below in 'Cons') and inclusive of everyone's feedback. Sean MacNeill has done incredible things to the company in just one year. He is the kind of CEO who rolls up his sleeves works along side you and focuses on making you better. He does that with everyone across the company - he is an absolute workaholic - he cares about the business and the people. The founder Danny Scalisi is a great partner, ally and seasoned voice for the company. He regularly plays a role in training, coaching and helping us close the bigger deals given his tenure and experience. Together with the rest of execs they make a stellar team and i am so proud to be a part of it.
Lastly as any start up - they are never for the faint of heart - they can be roller coaster rides. That said Sean has one of the steadiest guiding hands I have seen making the business feel solid, strong and supportive. He is a no-nonsense guy, who is very straight without ever being offensive or without bias. He also has done a masterful job raising money from investors and done so in the same no-nonsense, transparent way. He has even included the sales team in providing feedback to the investment decks and capital raises - i have never been part of that as a salesperson at other companies! What i have learned about SaaS being here is they are incredibly valuable business long term when built, they take many years to scale, a ton of upfront capital (Tens of Millions) to get to full scale and growth and have no doubt Sean will be successful getting us there.
Cons
I would say the con is they tend to give non-performers too much rope and time. This is the most anti-boiler room environment i have seen whereas no one is micromanaged but rather entrusted. I think the company might be better served taking a more hardened sales approach early on with people who clearly aren't coachable, not performing or team players. Frankly i haven't seen this much grace granted in any high pressure sales environment. On that front it appears management is realizing this and making adjustments.