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The Smart Local Reviews
Updated 20 Nov 2023
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Found 69 of over 158 reviews
66% Recommend to a Friend
72% Approve of CEO
Found 69 of over 158 reviews
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Recommend to a Friend
Approve of CEO
Bryan Choo
49 Ratings
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
Pros
- "Bosses and supervisors are approachable enough and there's a strong culture of helping each other out." (in 6 reviews)
- "There’s a good company culture here too, where everyone is approachable, from interns to department heads." (in 5 reviews)
Cons
- "But that's just me as enjoy learning and challenging myself and TSL provided an amazing opportunity to do that." (in 5 reviews)
- "One particular manager is so bad, that he picks on you constantly after you make a mistake." (in 3 reviews)
- "Team morale was low when I was there because he shows favouritism so it feels like what you say aren't valued." (in 3 reviews)
- 5.027 Aug 2023Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee, more than 3 years
Pros
some things noticed over the years - office used to be cramped, now there's a lot more space. only thing is the company is now spread over three floors - now we have a HR team and they are awesome, always makes time for us and there are lots of activities - flexible working hours and WFH - friendly and talented people
Cons
don't agree with how many interns we use
3 - 4.02 Sept 2023Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee, more than 3 yearsSingapore
Pros
I see comments here on our culture and people, and I share similar feelings, that's TSL's best strength. So instead, I'll try to share a bit of my experience with the company's policies. On salary, I assumed raises were something you had to ask your boss for, and I had never gotten a raise before at previous companies (I had also never asked). I remember being surprised when I was told I was getting a raise after a performance review. I was told I had performed well and they wanted to increase my salary to reflect my growth. In my other work experiences, increments were not a given, you had to ask for them or you didn't get them. I am glad the company has set dates for increments and I don't have to initiate those conversation with my bosses. I've gotten bonuses and increments over my last 3 years.
Cons
There are a lot of changes this year and it is upsetting some for sure. The company has hired new staff, and some older staff do feel a bit displaced. There are new SOPs, new people we report to and I'm noticing some change in our culture. Whether it's good or bad, I'm not too sure yet. But so far, my own experience with the new management has been positive. There are new areas that the company is trying to grow in, and there's uncertainty there too and that's making some uneasy.
1 - 2.026 Aug 2023WriterFormer Employee, more than 1 yearSingapore
Pros
The colleagues I've met are actually nice people. Young team, managers that do try to care within their means. They do their best with the limited budgets they have.
Cons
A lot of important people have left, especially those that you have seen on their various videos. Recently the CEO hired a whole bunch of upper management people that are paid high salaries but we've yet to see much positive change. Instead of using the budgets to fund better quality content or hire more hosts and talents, the CEO bought a sports car and hired highly paid management staff that are not producers themselves. Don't know what they do in the office. That seemed to have drove away a lot of people that have worked in the company for many years. The real ones suffering are the producers, writers etc. that have to contend with their meagre salaries. Budget for contents is also miserable... The content teams also don't get to sit in the new office on the first level. They are left in the old office upstairs with old rickety chairs and tables, although they are the ones that are editing videos and writing articles and shooting videos till late at night.
3 - 3.020 Nov 2023Social Media ExecutiveCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearOld Kallang Airport Estate,
Pros
Nice colleagues in the office.
Cons
No cons till date. My experience have been good/neutral so far.
- 4.020 Sept 2023ExecutiveCurrent EmployeeSingapore
Pros
A natural choice for comms grad or those who want to explore a creative career. Not easy to find a place like this which provides opp in new media industry. People are great! Some fun benefit and great energy from the team. Many of the management team are new but can see they are really trying to change things for the better.
Cons
expectations are high and got to deliver high productivity. A lot of changes in the past year with big plans which can be difficult for teams to adapt.
1 - 3.030 Oct 2023Content WriterCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearSingapore
Pros
Colleagues are all fun and the overall experience is great with lots of out of office adventures
Cons
Management doesnt allow workers enough time to adapt
- 3.025 Oct 2023Account ExecutiveFormer Employee, less than 1 yearSingapore
Pros
Colleagues are generally friendly and helpful
Cons
Work can be repetitive and workload is heavy
- 4.011 May 2023Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
Good flexbiility and work from home (have work anywhr overseas also, but that has been reduced with cap for days zz). Lots of perks, free food, young and vibrant culture. People are capable, talented, helpful and friendly. Will talk to you in lift kind. Also, cool new office at L1!! Not bad perks - I think have insurance, mental health benefits? Always have upskilling workshops internally too, which is good fr those with not so much experience / or on internship want a taste of media industry. Boss seems intimidating, but quite open to feedback. abit direct and can seem aggressive during meetings, but is actly a nice person
Cons
where is the progression? if I'm a entry level the road to moving up is not realistic - how to improve company wide things if my scope is just in the team? also, some csuite ppl recentky joined and i think they are paid way more thn even very longserving internal staff? plus changing so many things. not v good for morale imho
4 - 3.07 Jun 2023ManagerFormer Employee, more than 3 yearsSingapore
Pros
- Good work life balance - Friendly colleagues. Very little politics
Cons
- CEO has terrible interpersonal skills, resulting in a lot of long-time staff leaving on bad terms. - Departure of a lot of key staff have resulted in TSL's views falling drastically across all platforms because the quality of content is just not there anymore.
9 - 4.09 Sept 2023Video ProducerFormer Employee, more than 1 yearSingapore
Pros
-Encourage a healthy working culture, less office politics -Good Managers and boss
Cons
-Bonus Structure needs to be more fair
1
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The Smart Local Reviews FAQs
The Smart Local has an overall rating of 3.4 out of 5, based on over 158 reviews left anonymously by employees. 66% of employees would recommend working at The Smart Local to a friend and 49% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by -10% over the last 12 months.
66% of The Smart Local employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated The Smart Local 3.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 3.2 for career opportunities.
