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private:mikanassociates
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https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
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Sep 24th, 2020 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
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Mikan Associates
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Accounting Associate
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Chicago, IL
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|
Invests in its employees
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|
Started off at the company as an intern then transitioned into a part time employee and eventually to full time post grad. Mikan was invested in helping me grow as a professional. There are lots of opportunities to learn and grow no matter what department you are in. Also, a great work life balance.
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Departments consist of very few people since Mikan is a small firm.
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1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
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Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
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Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
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Mikan Associates
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private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Aug 16th, 2019 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
Training Program Manager
|
Chicago, IL
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|
Great place to work - Promotes from within
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Mikan mentors talent from within it own ranks, and grooms employees until they are ready for a promotion.
Competitive Benefits
Managers are understanding and involved
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Silo atmosphere (sometimes) due to low employee count.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
Keep grooming talent from within. I love that each employee gets their own plan and path, and it is not just a blanket approach.
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0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
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Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
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private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Jun 6th, 2018 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
Intern - Hourly
|
United States
|
USA
|
Great Company
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|
Mikan is a smaller firm which comes with a great work-life balance, getting to work directly with the CEO, a company where you can grow professional and get all your questions answered with constructive criticism. Plenty of opportunities to grow and learn.
Mikan also provides monthly happy hours and weekly lunches.
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As the company grows on the data analytics side make sure other departments are growing as well.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
PART_TIME
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Jun 6th, 2018 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
Chicago, IL
|
|
A wonderful place to learn & grown
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|
My experience at Mikan has been extremely positive. I began my role at Mikan at a time when the company was recovering from a rough patch (hence the negative reviews). Over the past year, the company has gained a significant amount of momentum. This is the first role I have held where I feel the ideas I express will be taken seriously. I appreciate how receptive the leadership is to my skills and strengths. While I was hired for an inside sales position, I have been given an opportunity to learn other sides of the business. As someone just starting out in my career, I really value being encouraged to branch out and learn as much as I can. Not only have I been exposed to outside sales, I have gotten opportunities to attend major tech conferences and countless lectures and networking events. I love that I get to learn something new every day from the teammates I work with and the challenges I am presented with. I am looking forward to seeing how far I can go with this company!
|
- Benefits could be better
- I wish we had a few more holidays off
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|
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
2.0
|
5.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
May 31st, 2018 12:00AM
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Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
United States
|
USA
|
Great collaborative workplace
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|
- Amazing co-workers with a collaborative work atmosphere
- Fun happy hours at least once a month & company outings
- Lots of opportunities if you want to take advantage of them
- Management really listens to you and takes your opinions into account for changes within the organization
- Great location in the Loop
- The data & analytics industry is booming which means more clients & more opportunities
|
- Need to hire more people to grow the team
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
May 13th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
Senior Consultant
|
United States
|
USA
|
Opportunity
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|
Since Mikan is a small business, your ideas and criticism will be taken into account. I have brought up many things that I felt like could be better including variable compensation outside of yearly bonuses, improving the quality of the 401k plan and health benefits offered, and re-thinking the hiring strategy. All of these suggestions were discussed with management, then with the larger team and then implemented. Management has been serious for the past year and a half to two years about taking past failures and learning from them and improving. This kind of flat approach is not possible with a larger company.
I have had the opportunity to work in many different sectors and advance quickly in my career. I have led trainings, done shorter projects in retail and marketing and a longer project in finance where I was able to hone my expertise in an in-demand industry with the budget to spend on making sure they implement the best possible solutions. I have also been able to expand my technical skills with courses and certifications including Tableau and Six Sigma. You will be set up to succeed, but you do have to be vocal about what you want to focus on and be willing to work at it.
Mikan is also a diverse organization and not an “old boys club” or “tech bro” feel like some consulting firms in this space. There is a respect and understanding among employees that I really appreciate.
|
Some of the cons are more about consulting or small companies in general. In consulting, it is like you are starting a new job with each project so you will not be 100% comfortable right away. Typically the client will realize this. You need to know the questions to ask when staring on a client in order to succeed and meet their expectations, and make sure you work with the sales team so they can scope the project correctly. In the past this was not always being done which sometimes led to under-budgeted projects and resulting tension. Better to not make a sale than to sell services incorrectly.
And at any small company, including Mikan, you may need to ramp-up on something quickly which can be stressful. However this also allows for a path to success and not getting boxed into doing the same thing for years. Not always comfortable, but definitely an opportunity.
Finally, something that was more specific to Mikan, but has since been remedied, was trying to grow too fast and not thoughtfully. At one point hiring was way over the top for the amount of projects and hiring mistakes were made at the director level. Now, the director and sales teams are greatly improved so the overall environment is much better.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
Keep your growth strategy thoughtful and specific.
Listen to employee feedback as it happens and let employees know that they are heard and their ideas are being taken into consideration.
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0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
May 8th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
Chicago, IL
|
|
"Great"
|
|
I have been working "with" Mikan for a few years now. Positive and dynamic work environment where people feel appreciated. Great growth opportunities, lots of exciting projects and excellent benefits. Flat org structure works to encourage and promote individual responsibilities. Outstanding mix of employees who are passionate about data and analytics.
|
Need to hire some more expertise soon to step up on the growing pipeline.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
1.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Apr 14th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
Data & Analytics Consultant
|
Chicago, IL
|
|
Like
|
|
Great company with a tightly knit team who values a collaborative effort & provides valuable career opportunities. If you possess confidence, diligence, and motivation to grow this company is for you.
I spent my last 3 years thriving with this company starting just as an IT intern & ending my tenure as a Data & Analytics Consultant, consulting for one of the biggest E-Commerce companies in the world.
If you have what it takes this company will put you in front of its biggest clients.
|
None - Put your head down , be eager to learn, & lead every opportunity.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
1.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
Take a step to expand the leadership team & continue to grow the company. You have big time clients, so create an enterprise to support them.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Sep 7th, 2016 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
United States
|
USA
|
Lots of Potential
|
|
Great industry
Strong partnerships
Smart employees
Flexible schedule for non-consultants
Opportunity to learn and craft your skills
|
Poor leadership
Do not put correct people in their proper roles
High turnover
Lack of company culture
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
|
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
Hire the right people for the right job. Great industry to be in and there is strong potential for Mikan to be a great firm.
|
0.0
|
[{"countHelpful": 0, "languageId": "eng", "userJobTitle": "Media", "__typename": "EmployerResponse", "originalLanguageId": null, "id": 1506687, "responseDateTime": "2017-12-24T14:03:42.607", "translationMethod": null, "response": "I would like to share my thanks to all who have given us such candid feedback in 2015 and early 2016. \r\n\r\nWe experienced some growing pains at the time, and felt the need to re-evaluate internal policies, service focus, and staffing levels. While this was a difficult time for the organization and employees, we believe that the many positive changes we have made over the past one and a half years enable us to be more competitive, agile and responsive to employee needs. Through feedback from you and others, we have re-designed our internal processes to be more responsive to our employees, to empower each team member, and have created a fun and transparent culture that we are proud of. In addition, we have re-established the company to have a stronger partnership with our clients and all organizations we do business with\r\n\r\nWe are glad that your candid feedback sparked positive improvements in the company, and an establishment of a continuous improvement framework, to ensure that past pitfalls are not repeated.\r\n\r\nThank you.", "responseOriginal": null, "countNotHelpful": 0}]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|
|
private:mikanassociates
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=825960
|
Sep 7th, 2016 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
United States
|
USA
|
Took a step back in my career!
|
|
- Got a chance to work with some good people. Unfortunately due to the high turnover relationships were short lived.
- Location - Telling people you work in the Board of Trade building holds some prestige rather than telling people you work for the circus that this company is.
|
High turnover:
At the beginning of 2015 the company had 34 employees (excluding owner and interns). Currently at the end of Aug 2016, after a substantial layoff, there are only 12 employees left. Just based on LinkedIn profiles, there are a staggering 62 people who has joined and quit since the company's inception approximately 4 years ago. There were so many people leaving at one point, management stopped announcing employees exits, and you would only find out later through the grapevine. To put it into perspective, just for 2016 the turnover rate is already up to 142% (17 employees that left / 12 remaining employees). An average turnover for a consulting company is around 20-25%. The company currently doesn't have an HR resource and all HR concerns were handled by a college intern for the majority of this year. Same goes for sales. And a culture within the company is nonexistent.
Lack of experience:
A new sales director was brought in a few months ago to revamp sales strategy. Along with promises came an aggressive hiring ramp up. 3 months into it the owner couldn't sustain the workforce and decided to fire the sales director as well as most of the experienced consultants to cut costs. Out of the 8 remaining consultants, the median employees only have a little more than 2 years of relative work experience. Even though Mikan's partnered with a couple big data organizations, they don't have a single big data project under their belt. The last predictive analytics project was put on trial by the client for Mikan to fend why the solution, which was done by 2 subsequent consultants without any prior predictive analytics experience, wasn't utter rubbish.
Unable to retain clients:
Over the years Mikan has only been able to retain 2 clients. Both are backfill tableau support positions and are NOT project based. Because of the aggressive timelines and the high turnover, projects were often rushed, where a good majority of projects where sub par to the clients liking. From personal experience I would say only a small percentage of projects ever ended up being actively used by the clients. Not to mention a couple instances where Mikan got kicked out for incompetence.
Unethical behavior:
The reason for high turnover of employees is no doubt due to unethical behavior and mistreatment from management. For example, there has been several occurrences where management changed a consultant's resume to make it more attractive to prospective clients. And I don't mean over exaggeration. I mean it'll label you an expert in a technology that you don't have experience in at all. Imagine going to a client interview where you're handed a copy of your own resume that you don't recognize. Consultants are also encouraged to fudge the truth and label themselves an "expert" to win clients. Shortly after joining the company, one of the first advice I heard management give to a consultant before a sales meeting was.. "If you don't know it, just make something up". My advice to clients would be to interview each Mikan consultant thoroughly to make sure you're going to get what you pay for.
Company reeks of greed:
I've never worked for an organization before that encourages overworking by holding a monthly competition to see which consultant can bring in the most money. And that mentality is pushed from the top down. There's no attempt to align a project with consultant skill set or career aspirations. There's no turning down a client due to lack of resources. There's no finishing a project with integrity. It's all about churning projects with any available resource and bringing in money without adhering to any form of code of conduct. Is this uncommon for a consulting company?...Probably not. Is it a dishonorable way to do business?...Absolutely!
To those thinking of working here:
During interviews, you'll be projected a utopian organization where there's abundant projects in scope, tons of experience, career opportunities, boasts about how well the companies doing and attest all the bad reviews to "growing pains". In reality projects have dried up. You'll be forced to work on whatever projects that can be scavenged. You'll constantly be put in uncomfortable situations. And the owner will show no gratitude to even his most loyal employees. One of my colleagues got lured into the company with promises of a greencard sponsorship. A month after relocating from Texas, he was let go with the explanation "The client we had in mind for you didn't work out, so.. sorry". Pretty ruthless if you ask me. And it seems like every employee that left, both who got let go and those that left on their own accord, holds some kind of resentment towards Mikan. Hence all the bad reviews on glassdoor. Don't make the mistake we made... Look elsewhere.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
|
|
7.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
825960
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mar 21st, 2021 10:12PM
|
Mikan Associates
|
|
|