Pros
- Smart passionate people, it is the staff (and the characters) that make the work environment fun. - Decent salary and benefits; not a massive amount but its overall package includes BUPA medical insurance, Group Life Assurance, Private Pension and other bits that amount to a reasonable offering. Not Google or Facebook-like but decent. - Relaxed working environment where suit and ties are not mandatory (unless meeting clients and customers). - Working with the latest GIS technology from Esri Inc. - Close ties to Esri Inc. - Good on the CV if you want to continue in the world of GIS. - Challenging and interesting work; haven't been bored yet. - Good work life balance: can work from home, take leave at relatively short notice etc. - Privately owned company and virtually debt free.
Cons
- Forging a career path at Esri UK (and Esri Inc) is largely down to who you know and a bit of luck. Promotion should not be down to longevity or years of services; nor should it be something that comes once in a blue moon and assumes that you're in the office to seize the opportunity. - Middle management training is poor and inconsistent (though improving) - Too many people comfortable in their niche roles. - Being a reseller, Esri UK is at the whim of decisions made by parent company: Esri Inc. - The longevity and viability of Esri UK is down to a handful of people - so quite brittle if key individuals leave.