Pros
This business used to stand out for the creativity and collaboration of its employees who saw it as more than a job but as a passion and social responsibility to help kids learn and to support teachers. The results showed in skyrocketing growth "year after year after year" as the CEO would have everyone chant. Ideas were fresh, people were energized and the culture was very positive and supportive. Benefits were generous, with a good health plan, 401K, annual bonuses, and a healthy amount of paid time off. There were employee functions a few times a year to recognize success and reward hard work. People were generally cheerful and proud of the products being created. Leadership struck optimistic tones and made people feel valued. But then...
Cons
The company revenue started sliding as it lost market share to competitors that were more agile in responding to trends, had better websites, more advanced technology for customers, and were able to demostrate the effectiveness of their products, which LAZ always struggled to do. After being sold to a private equity firm, the staff knew things could get ugly, and they did. The well respected president, Patrick Marcotte, was forced to transfer to another business unit in Dallas under the Cambium Learning Group umbrella only to be laid off immediately, carefully hidden from view of the Tucson staff that loved him. Sneaky, sneaky! The replacement, Lisa O'masta is nothing but a corporate hired gun with a fake smile and no humanity. Looking back, when she told us at her first introduction that she was leaving the family dogs behind on the east coast, we should have seen what was coming. It would have been much cheaper to bring in a college intern to look at a spreadsheet of salaries and decide which 25 to lay off to save the most money. She blew smoke about how much she respected the amazing team, many of which were brilliant people who helped build Learning A-Z up from a tiny idea to a large revenue company. But then she and the corporate leaders stabbed them in the back. Many incredibly loyal, hardworking and talented gems were smashed with the icy coldness you expect from a parking ticket officer, not the head of a company that makes books for kids. There was no “Thank you for giving us the best years of your life and helping us make loads of money.” No explanations for why so many pillars of the company were targeted while far less experienced people were kept on. No compassion for people suddenly out on the street in the midst of a pandemic with kids to feed. "Year after year after year" many of us came in early, stayed late, worked weekends and gave up work/life balance for the company. We struggled every day to make difficult decisions with high quality service to teachers and students in mind. But in the end we were kicked to the curb like rotten leftovers. Thinking back to all the times CEO John Campbell spoke at events and sent out newsletters talking about the importance of the people who make up the company, I see now that it was all a lie. Say anything to keep the worker ants producing while you and the owners cash in. The minute things go south, slash and burn. Bring in someone to be your grim reaper. Then expect everyone who remains to keep calm and carry on. This isn't just bitterness about the latest round of layoffs. I had a great run and now it's over. That happens. It's just really disappointing that something so beautiful was destroyed by corporate heartlessness. Who's idea was it to think that a company could succeed by becoming less human? Even before the new president was brought on, everything was becoming way too structured and corporate. Spirits were already in decline for several years. But bringing in a ruthless hatchet to make heads roll was the tipping point to really kill the golden goose. The "diamond in the desert" has turned into a lump of coal.
