CEO MAKES THINGS AWKWARD FAST!
TLDRThe video discusses a recent incident involving a marketing company called Abstract, where an employee's post about being let go led to a controversial response from the CEO, Scott Sully. The video delves into the company's culture, highlighting policies against side hustles and the promotion of a company-centric side hustle, as well as allegations of a cult-like atmosphere with monthly meetings and a growth creed. The narrative is further enriched by employee testimonials and the company's response to the situation, painting a complex picture of the workplace environment at Abstract.
Takeaways
- 📢 An employee from a marketing company named Abstract on LinkedIn was laid off and posted about it, seeking new opportunities.
- 😔 The CEO of Abstract, Scott Sully, responded to the post with a comment perceived as unprofessional, which led to further backlash.
- 🚫 The CEO's LinkedIn profile was subsequently deleted, and he is no longer visible on the company page.
- 🤔 The company's stance on side hustles was revealed through a post by the CEO, who believes they detract from professional growth and focus.
- 💰 Abstract introduced an 'Abstract Side Hustle' where employees can earn additional income by referring clients or team members.
- 🎁 The company offers incentives like trips and awards for employees with the most referrals, but this system is criticized as not being a true side hustle.
- 🔥 The Reddit comments on the situation were harsh, with many users condemning the CEO's actions and the company's culture.
- 📈 Abstract has a high employee turnover rate, yet it has been recognized as a top workplace in the USA for two consecutive years.
- 🎥 The company's YouTube channel features content like monthly meetings and a 'Growth Creed' series, which some find cringe-worthy and cult-like.
- 📖 A BuzzFeed article mentions a company with a cult-like culture that had employees recite a growth creed and chant the company's name, which seems to align with Abstract.
- 👀 Despite lawsuits and negative press, Abstract continues to operate and even sponsors content, raising questions about the discrepancy between public perception and internal culture.
Q & A
What happened to the employee who posted about losing his job on LinkedIn?
-The employee, Eric Watkins, posted about being let go from his job at a marketing company called Abstract. His post gained attention and was shared widely on Reddit. However, the CEO of Abstract, Scott Sully, responded with a comment that was perceived as unprofessional, and subsequently, both the post and the CEO's profile were deleted.
What was the CEO Scott Sully's stance on side hustles according to another post he made?
-Scott Sully, the CEO of Abstract, strongly believed that side hustles were detrimental to an individual's professional growth and to the company's clients. He felt that side hustles decreased focus on mastering one's primary craft. However, he acknowledged the desire for additional income and passion projects, and proposed a company-sponsored 'side hustle' that involved referring new clients and team members for rewards.
What was the nature of the 'Abstract Side Hustle' as proposed by the CEO?
-The 'Abstract Side Hustle' was a program where employees could earn additional income by referring new clients or team members to the company. The company paid for these referrals, with higher rewards for team members who stayed for a certain period. It also included incentives like winning a free trip to the President's Club for the team member with the most referrals.
What was the reaction of the Reddit community to the situation involving the employee's post and the CEO's comment?
-The Reddit community was largely critical of both the employee's post and the CEO's response. Many users felt that the CEO's comment was unprofessional, and the situation was made worse by the deletion of the post and the CEO's profile. Some comments were brutal, highlighting the negative perception of the company's handling of the situation.
What did the CEO Scott Sully emphasize during a mandatory companywide meeting?
-During the mandatory companywide meeting, CEO Scott Sully emphasized the importance of innovation and better serving the company's partners. He aimed to establish leadership presence, answer questions, and provide clarity. The meeting was intended as a learning moment and an opportunity to spark conversation and deepen trust within the company.
What was the role of Invid AI in the video content?
-Invid AI was the sponsor of the video content. It was presented as a tool that can generate videos based on a given topic or script, with the content being platform-specific. It allows users to edit the generated content, change the script, and even clone their own voice for narration. The service is free to try, with a monthly subscription fee to remove watermarks and access additional features.
What was the cultural issue raised by a former employee in a BuzzFeed article?
-A former employee mentioned in a BuzzFeed article that the company had a cult-like culture. This included practices such as reciting a 'growth creed' and chanting the company's name at the end of meetings, buying company swag, and treating leaving the company as a sign of betrayal. The leadership was described as enforcing company policies zealously but lacking capability.
How did the company's YouTube content reflect its culture?
-The company's YouTube content, including their 'Growth Creed' series and streamed company meetings, reflected a culture that emphasized unity and company spirit. The videos showed employees participating in company-wide rituals and events, such as reciting the creed and engaging in team-building activities. However, the content was also seen as cringe-worthy and hard to watch by some viewers.
What was the reported employee turnover rate at Abstract Marketing Group?
-The reported employee turnover rate at Abstract Marketing Group was 39%, which was the lowest since 2017. Despite this, the company was recognized as a top workplace in the USA for two consecutive years.
What were some of the legal issues faced by Abstract Marketing Group?
-Abstract Marketing Group faced multiple lawsuits, as indicated by the records found through a quick Google search. One of the cases was dismissed, while the status of the others was not specified in the script.
How did the company handle the situation after the Reddit drama?
-Following the Reddit drama, the company continued with its regular activities, including streaming a company meeting on YouTube. The meeting included standard procedures like celebrating employee birthdays and discussing company events, seemingly unaffected by the controversy.
Outlines
🤔 Unprofessionalism and Leadership at Abstract Marketing
The paragraph discusses a recent incident involving an employee from Abstract Marketing who lost his job and posted about it on LinkedIn, seeking help for new opportunities. The CEO, Scott Sully, responded with a comment that was deemed unprofessional, which led to a public backlash and the eventual deletion of his profile. The paragraph also touches on the company's stance on side hustles, with the CEO advocating for full dedication to the company's side hustle instead of pursuing personal projects. This situation sparked a debate on professionalism and leadership within the company.
🏢 Cult-like Culture and Employee Treatment at Abstract Marketing
This paragraph delves into the alleged cult-like culture at Abstract Marketing, as described by a former employee in a Reddit thread. The company's practices, such as reciting a 'growth creed' and chanting the company's name at meetings, are highlighted as unusual. The narrative also points out the company's aggressive stance on employee departures and the promotion of those who align with the company's values. The paragraph further explores the company's public image and internal practices, questioning the disconnect between the two.
🏆 Abstract Marketing's Reputation and Turnover Rate
The final paragraph focuses on Abstract Marketing's reputation as a top workplace in the USA, despite a high employee turnover rate. It presents a conflicting view of the company, with external accolades juxtaposed against internal issues and legal cases. The paragraph also mentions the company's promotional materials and events, questioning their relevance and effectiveness. The summary ends with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content and consider the implications of the company's practices.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Abstract
💡CEO
💡Side Hustles
💡Unprofessional
💡Company Culture
💡Turnover Rate
💡Lawsuit
💡Top Workplace
Highlights
An employee from a marketing company named Abstract on LinkedIn lost his job and posted about it on social media seeking help and direction.
The employee chose not to discuss the reasons for his departure from Abstract on social media, preferring to talk about it privately.
The CEO of Abstract, Scott Sully, responded to the employee's post with a comment that was perceived as unprofessional.
Following the interaction, the CEO's LinkedIn profile was deleted, and he is no longer visible on the company page.
The CEO had previously posted about his stance on side hustles, stating that they are detrimental to professional growth and client focus.
Abstract has a program called 'Abstract Side Hustle' which rewards employees for referring new clients and team members, but it is not a traditional side hustle.
Reddit users commented harshly on the situation, criticizing the CEO's public response and the company's culture.
A companywide meeting was made mandatory by the CEO, Scott Sully, to establish leadership presence and address employee concerns.
The company promotes a unique, fast-paced, and fun culture, but some employees find it cult-like and hard to believe.
Abstract's YouTube page features a 'Growth Creed' series, which some employees find cringe-worthy and similar to a Pledge of Allegiance.
The company holds monthly meetings that are streamed on YouTube, which include chanting the company's name at the end.
Abstract has been named a top workplace in the USA for two consecutive years, despite a high employee turnover rate.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Abstract, as found through a quick Google search.
The company's culture and practices have been a topic of discussion and controversy on Reddit, with many employees sharing their experiences.
Abstract's marketing strategies include sponsoring videos and having a podcast called 'The Grow Show', which some find difficult to listen to.
Despite the controversies, Abstract continues to operate and has a presence on various social media platforms, including YouTube and LinkedIn.