VALD Senior Leadership FAQ

Pros

- some of VALD employees are good quality human beings - the food, prepared by the current chef, is wonderful

Cons

Where should I begin? The CEO and his business partners (aides) are the most toxic constellation of a leadership team you can find in a business. They are all-powerful, the only ones who can make decisions - so be prepared to be micro managed, even if your title is "Director". The three "mates" as they like to call themselves, are prone to changing their mind often and at short notice. While it is their business, they seem to forget that they are responsible for over 100 employees and their futures. The lack of structure is being excused by the CEO by saying that it is the "nature of a startup" despite being in business for over 7 years. The company has no HR department to speak of, a colossal red flag that I have ignored. When employees are being let go, there is no communication about it, and the reasons for it are being swept under the rug - mainly because they are unjust or something that fair work would not approve of. The lack of respect, especially towards women, is appalling. Any senior manager who had to let people go the VALD way, and is still with them, should be ashamed of themselves. The lack of a moral compass in almost every senior manager should also not be ignored, if you are thinking about joining VALD. It comes with the territory - you have to be immature to endure, understand, and support the immaturity that is "leading" the pack. If you are a female that is currently thinking about joining VALD, do yourself a favour and re-visit your options carefully. The sexism is thriving, you will not be taken seriously, and will be blamed for missed project deadlines that weren't realistic to begin with. Although, the latter will happen to your male co-workers too. It is worth noting that, as it currently stands, there is not one female leader/manager in that business. It has not gone unnoticed at conferences, that VALD’s APAC/Oceania sales team consists of males only - a true Old Boys Club.

Advice to Management

My advice for management is to become decent people.