Apptio

Dedicated employees for the most part. Average PTO (3 weeks of vacation to start and 10 days sick) for a Seattle tech company. Average health insurance options. Good location, just off of 405 in Bellevue. Average Costco business delivery of free snacks and drinks.

It took the company a long, long time, but finally, we have the ability to check our own payroll information. Work-life balance is pretty average for a startup. All-hands meetings have dramatically gotten better.

Product has improved overall, but it is still not a true SaaS product.

A lot of cliques, ala the "this is how we do things so why are you challenging me" mentality.

Longer-term strategies are non-existent, and everyone is driving at warp 10 to fix the latest fire (lots of firefighting). The company is also starting its 8th year of existence and behaving like a toddler still.

My impression is that the leadership team, overall, is not thinking long-term, leaving many employees to question themselves and if they are truly valued at the company. A complete lack of a real maternity/paternity leave plan and a lack of any retirement matching from recent benefits updates leaves employees feeling that they really are pawns, replaceable.

If Apptio won't support personal family growth, then what makes someone think Apptio is as family-friendly as they say they are?

Recruiting seems problematic, with a high turnover rate. Salary ranges are average. Again, if Apptio wants to hire the best, they need to offer more upfront, as stock options don't count for anything, especially with the lack of retirement matching.

Invest real money into developing talent in employees to show them that you care. That will motivate employees to stick around, even with lackluster salaries and a clique-like mentality.

Some people need to go, though, so don't be afraid to let them leave.

Take half of the money that is spent on food and parties and invest it somewhere else.