Lots of potential if you're comfortable with massive change
Pros
Over the last 10 years, Buzztime has been pillaged by a dysfunctional board of directors that ran their cronies through the C suite every few years. About 4 years ago the current Chairman, Jeff Berg, started buying stock on the open market. He's consolidated his ownership to about 25%, remade the board out of serious executives, and capitalized the company to a level it hasn't seen in decades. After his first two CEO's didn't make it (for different reasons), he took it upon himself to sit in the seat until he figured it out. He's keeping the interim-next to his CEO title because he's self-aware enough to know he's not the right person for the job permanently, but he's also accountable enough to do the job until he finds the right person. He's also humble enough never to say any of this himself. Jeff has also taken a page from Jeff Bezos (like him or not) and is telling investors and shareholders that the company is investing in its products and its future, removing some of the quarter to quarter pressure that leads to bad decisions in public companies. A new long-term deal with Buffalo Wild Wings, a more modern tablet-based system, and some fresh energy from dynamic new hires have transformed Buzztime in the short time I have been here.
Cons
If you are not comfortable in an environment undergoing rapid cultural change, then Buzztime might not be a good environment for you. The market for tablet-based consumer solutions in restaurants is young and evolving. The competition is growing. There's a lot of insecurity that comes with working at a place like this. If you are unsure of the value you are bringing, you should probably steer clear. There are quite a few people, even in senior roles, that avoid accountability. I guess that occurs in many companies, but it seems endemic here. New hires will need to hold themselves, and be willing to hold their co-workers and even their superiors, accountable. That can be easier said than done.
