Vantaggi
First let me start this review by saying I'm writing this because I wish I would have known all the good and the bad about TWG before joining. When I joined in 2008 there was just no information out there. My history at TWG was lengthy, and I received many commission checks as a good producer. I did not leave TWG because I "couldn't hack it." Most current TWG employees would have you believe that is why everyone leaves. All Pros and Cons here don't apply to all employees (for example, if you are an exceptional salesperson, pay will be better for you), but will apply to 90-95% of all people reading this. Enough of that and on to the positive. 1. Great people. Most of the agent base at TWG is extremely talented. The people are smart, energetic, young, and fun. Most graduated near the top of their class from great colleges throughout Texas and elsewhere. Most are also very hardworking. 2. Stability. As long as you are a decent salesperson, you never run the risk of losing your job at TWG. Few people get fired for under performance (although it does happen). Also, the insurance industry in general didn't seem to take a hit at all (at least as far as we at TWG were concerned) during the recession through much of 2008 and 2009. This means if you are a decent salesperson, you can work at TWG without running the risk of being laid off. One other positive point about stability is that unlike other insurance opportunities out there, at TWG you start with no debt (I'll explain why that can also be a bad thing later). TWG will pay for all your equipment, leads, etc. 3. Directors make lots of money. If you are fortunate enough to rise to the ranks of director at TWG, you will do VERY well for yourself. There is no denying this. Also, if you are in the minority of being in the top 5% of salespeople, you will also make very good money, even if you are a Client Associate or a Manager. 4. Upper Management (this is a good and bad one). The CEO and COO are both ex-Bain partners. They are very smart businessmen, and they know it. This can be good for the company, because years of helping companies solve their problems is a great background and has proven successful so far at TWG. 5. Relative Autonomy. As a Client Associate, you do have some autonomy. Although you have to be there at 8 and you can't leave for home before 6, what you do to make sales in between time is up to you. You can't just leave for hours on end, but on the same token, your Manager most likely isn't going to be timing your lunch break. This relative autonomy, however, is only given to you if you consistently hit your sales goals. If not, you might start to see some micro management.
Svantaggi
1. Deceitful Recruiting. Turnover. Recruiters imply that turnover is virtually non-existent. However, from when I got hired to when I quit, over 60 agents were hired, but the agent base only grew by about 20 agents. I think you can do the math. Comparison to Accounting & Investment Banking. Really? This is nothing like those industries. This job is the equivalent of working at a call center. You learn no skills you could take to a future career (unlike accounting and investment banking). This job is NOT a stepping stone to another career and will only be beneficial if you want to be in insurance for the rest of your life. Painting an Untrue Picture. I know Upper Management has personally asked many of their favorite agents to fill out overwhelmingly positive reviews on glassdoor because "apparently recruits look at this stuff." That is just one of many examples. 2. Advancement. Advancement means... you do the exact same thing you did when you were a Client Associate. If you think advancing at TWG means you will eventually not have to sell insurance anymore, you are sorely mistaken. Even the Directors still sit in their cubicle and sell insurance for a majority of the day. The only real difference between them and a Client Associate is they make more money and they have a few added responsibilities. They are too valuable to take out of the sales force. Director Promotions Few and Far Between. In the past two years there have been no additional Directors added to the company, with the exception of one who was promoted to fill a gap of one who quit. The "waiting list" for Director already has some great candidates, and unless you plan on sticking it out for years and years, the ship has sailed on the "I'll join TWG and in 3 years become a Director" days. No Real Benefit to Being a Manager. The only benefit you have if you are promoted to Manager is the possibility of higher bonuses if your team hits its goal (and I guess the possibility of eventually being a Director). You do not get paid more and your commission structure doesn't change. If you are a great manager, and your team always hits goal, you do stand to earn a couple extra thousand over the year... but your team always hitting goal is not realistic. 3. Pay. Client Associates Pay is Poor. That is an understatement. It's terrible unless you are one of the top sellers. If, however, you are the 90-95% majority, you have a meager salary and when you do see commission, the amount you receive is staggeringly low. After you sell enough to become "commissionable," you make anywhere from 2-4% commission on the overall cost of the policy. The company is structured to make the guys at the top rich and the people at the bottom sweat it out. If you end up getting to the top, great. But for those that never do (99% of all people hired), then you worked your butt off and never really saw much benefit. Benefits Are Grossly Expensive. A family with children pays over $500 a month out of their own salary. A couple over $300, and a single person around $150. That in itself is a thousands of dollars salary reduction on an already meager salary. 4. Hours. Plan To Work 12 Hour Days. If you really want to advance, you should plan on working from 8 to 8, and come in on weekends. Most of the "dedicated" employee base does this. Therefore, if you want to be promoted, you pretty much have to do that just to be on the same playing field with your fellow employees. Long Hours of The Same Old Thing. This job is long hours of call center sales. You call lead after lead after lead after lead. That's what you do... all... day... long... Work Harder, Not Smarter. The people that are praised are the ones that show mindless determination to be the last ones at the office. Their work ethic is praised, while the guy that leaves at 6 is looked down on. 5. Book Ownership. At TWG, you don't own your book of business, TWG does. So that recurring revenue stream all other insurance agents get even if they quit or do it part time? You don't get that if you ever leave the company. Also, because they pay you a weak salary and for your leads they justify saying things like "we take the risk, therefore we own your book of business" or "you have to be in the office 45 hours a week because we pay you salary." 6. Upper Management. Atmosphere. Upper Management has created an atmosphere where people are scared to voice their complaints and opinions about the company for fear of Upper Management looking down on them or not liking them. This only leads to a majority of the employee base having a beef but refusing to tell anyone about it. Upper Management is Too Smart. Upper management is very talented, but that actually works against them. Because they are so smart, they seem to think they know it all and have a very hard time listening to their employees. This creates resentment in many employees.