Hunky Dory beginning, Berry Bomb ending
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
I loved the welcoming atmosphere of the whole team, both HQ and stores, believed in the teas. In general they value people. I loved going to work every single day. I liked my manager. I have learned a lot at work. I liked being a part of a company that is growing.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Lack of communication. Priorities not set right. The way it grows, without a care how the stores are doing.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
I was preparing this for a constructive feedback session I thought I would have but here I am as a former employee, so here we go:
-There should be workshops to improve communication in general. Between different departments sharing information needs to be important. Looks like they are clueless at times, from each other. I got passive aggressive behaviour from day 1, for not knowing something that wasn’t shared with me.
-I am sure there is a reason behind the decisions, but looking from outside of management and as an ex-employee; what about investing in the existing stores and employees, before opening new stores with every blink?
The new stores popped here and there, while customers didn't get their orders, we had to do customer care as well. You are welcome.
-Congrats on the new stores, now where are the products? Production team needed more people. The orders to the stores need to be timed well. We got deliveries in the middle of tea tastings. Not very Zen. Not very "Doing nothing is respectable at tea", while unpacking 10 boxes next to customers.
-If customers want to purchase products that aren't in the store but don’t want to order them online, we ordered to the store, informed them when delivered, and they picked their order up. This is good for the business, as people come to the store once again, which increase the possibility of further purchases. But there should be a system for it, as it was pretty manual. When is it purchased, what, delivered, contacted, picked-up… As you work with different people, a system where you can be on the same page with the team is important.
-Some products are known to be easily broken; you know that, I know that. Wouldn’t it be great to change them? You are offering high quality products, but my friend couldn’t even light the match twice. My double walled glass had dish soap for display in the bottom, which I threw away.
-It should be mandatory for each employee to visit at least one store. Working at HQ for three months and having never visited one store should be illegal. That’s where the magic happens.
-Urban Sports Membership or equivalent should be offered at least with a discount. Inflation is increasing, but the salaries stayed the same, so if you aren't willing to pay more, you need to offer benefits, that will benefit you as employer. Corporate benefits, didn't benefit me.
-Diverse employees mean different background, different self expressions...and all that, but also, different abilities. There should be workshops also raising awareness neurodivergent employees at work. Inclusivity doesn't end with vegan treats.
-Because the people who have already worked in the company know a lot about it and its products, I would invest in them, hire them for other departments, if they are fit.
-So far I have written better than certain people. I believe motivational emails can be better than "We reached (insert), great, can we do (insert bigger number).
-There should be structure with tea tastings. From who is going to host to the content in it. Not micro-manage level but something better than "they aren't seminars".
-I don't know the goals of marketing so I am just judging, but given the amount of investment into it, social media channels need improvement. You travel to Japan, make amazing content but views are under 200? It could have gotten much more attention with different format. For such a playful brand, there isn't excitement or consistency. The style needs to get out of typical German marketing and be more engaging and international. You are currently 36 stores all over Europe (north Europe).
-Do trainings for your store managers more often. They need it.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
My colleagues made the job amazing. We taught each other about tea and culture. We supported each other. Maybe this has to do more with my team than the company but also not unrelated. My manager, while at times made us role our eyes, pushed us in a good way that created a work atmosphere where we worked as a functional team of self-motivated individuals. It made work so much fun and rewarding. I loved building customer relationships. Tea drinkers are, more often than not, nice people.
Kommunikation
Needs improvement, especially as it is now a bigger company than a year ago. Someone starts new? Send them where and when they need to be. Someone needs to cover a shift somewhere else? Inform the manager that the coworker is coming at this time. Company event? Inform everyone, if someone works for your company. You have our emails. Not only our manager's.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
Kudos to managers and recruiters, because I met some of the best people in this company.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
Sometimes we got passive aggressive behaviour. When asked a question, it was hard to get a yes or no directly, instead we got a whole explanation of something unrelated. When we initiated, without asking, and if that was wrong, then it would be "who did that?".
Umwelt-/Sozialbewusstsein
Definitely an important topic for P&T but no there yet.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The income is just ok. They paid always on time, as I expected it.
After certain weekly hours of work contract, you get 49 euro Deutschlandticket.
You get corporate benefits, which is nice if you are able to / like to use it.
Image
The employees talk well about the company. But many of us were scared that the atmosphere will change with becoming a real chain and rebranding.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Probably one can initiate to get an opportunity for career advancement. But the company is not openly offering anything.