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Westward Innovations Inc. rip-off scam liars, waste of time, make you feel like a million bucks only to deceive Phoenix Arizona
I recently interviewed with Westward Innovations Inc. in Phoenix Arizona, a subsidiary of Cydcor Marketing. I went to my first interview and the CEO of the company (only 25 years old) told me that the company is very selective in hiring procedures and I would be lucky to get a second interview. Well on the spot I received a second interview.
Since I do not live in Arizona, I did not return to my second interview for 3 weeks. I spent a large amount of money on airplane tickets to try for the "opportunity" to work with this company. When I went in for the second interview I was shocked to see 6 other young people also waiting for second interviews.
We were individually taken out by "leaders" or those who had made it through Phase one into Phase two. I had no idea what the day would consist of, but the assistant manager told us to make sure the entire day was blocked out.
So out we went, door to door to businesses campaigning for AT&T. The girl interviewing me said how she had four other job offers and decided to take the position at Westward Innovations because she had never made so much money in her life. Sounds great right?
Not. After walking for 8 hours, we got one business to switch 5 phone lines, a total of $165 for her or who knows.
We went back to the office where I was given a test of the 8 great work habits, 5 steps of conversation, etc. The funny thing is one question on the test was "What are the two qualities it takes to work at Westward?" Professionalism and Integrity.
Kinda funny that every subsidiary of Cydcor posts that in the ads.
I was supposedly the only person my interviewer had recommended for a third interview. Coincidentally, every person that went out earlier that morning was back in the office that night for a third interview. So I went back into the CEO's office for the final round. There he continued to tell me that I would be making upwards of $50k within one year. I accepted the position.
So I came back home and started researching Cydcor. After reading all of the complaints, I began to put the peices of the puzzle together.
There is no upward mobility that happens in 4 phases. It must be tough for every single person employed there to be living in a constant lie and deceiving young people every day.
One other point I would like to make: When I asked what the turn-over rate was at the company, the response I received was "Oh we have a lot of businesses that switch their current service to AT&T." That was a load of BS, good way to avoid the question.
Do not apply at any of these places (they are in every state, and always posted on Monster.com). It is a rip-off and all in all I wasted a lot of money and time. They don't give a s**t about anyone else but themselves. They will work you into the ground until you choose to quit or are fired and some other innocent, vulnerable person comes along. I know that every person working there has been brainwashed to not leak any of this to potential employees.
I declined the position and I want everyone to know some of the other names they are under: Milton Marketing Inc. in Sacramento Cali., Wentworth Marketing in Denver Colo., Greco Marketing in San Fransisco Cali., Cambridge Communications in Long Island NY, Broaddus Marketing Inc. in Renton WA., Westward Innovations in Pittsburg PA.
M
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
J
Philly,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
hey Amanda
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, November 30, 2004
All you need to know about Dave and Ryan is that they are a part of Matt Osborne's organization there for making them as corrupt and grimey as you can get. I have met and worked with each of them and they do a very good job of covering themselves up and making themselves look goldin'. But once you get to know them they truly are just shined s**t. From the lies they feed to their employees about campaignes to the way they smile in your face while they rob you. But it's not their fault, they started by doing it to business owners while they were in the field now they do it to employees in their office. Ask Ryan about his time on the Sprint campaigne in philly. Or the method defran used to build a crew and become an a*s man. There's much more but I'll leave it at that for now....
Chris
Pennsauken,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
hey amanda
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, November 16, 2004
I also worked for Dave in New Jersey. The company is not as bad as some of you have said but not that great either. Amanda, we worked together.
Amanda
National Park,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
To B. from Mesa- I worked for that jackass, Dave DeFrancesco and Ryan Knauss!!!
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, November 08, 2004
B.- How long ago did you work with Dave DeFrancesco and Ryan Knauss??? I worked for Dave at his latest office called DeFrancesco Acquisitions, Inc. (actually, they just changed the name to DeFrancesco Acquisitions Group) located in Pennsauken, NJ. I know we HAVE to be talking about the same Dave! He used to talk about Ryan like his s**t didn't stink! He always told stories about Ryan- about how sweaty his palms were, how he always wore a short-sleeved shirt in the field, how he was a cheerleader. What do you know about Dave's history? I know he was in Philly, Phoenix, Orange County, and Pittsburgh, but I don't know the order. From what I've read, it seemed like he went on a retrain in Orange County in Matt Osborne's office. Any info you can give me would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! I'm actually in the middle of a disability/workman's comp. thing with him right now.
Scott
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
All bull$h!t This company is a joke
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, October 03, 2004
This company is a joke. Good thing I got out quickly enough. Unreal how people can do s**t like this. It's true though, you can't hate on that herb CEO Ryan. If he's making dough, whatever. Also, April was not hot by any means, unless she got plastic surgery.
That's funny how dude mentioned that a leader bummed money off him. I remember some slant taking me out named Reiner, and we went to lunch at Eatza Pizza and he's like "this place is great, let's go here" Haha. s**t is 2.99 for an all u can eat.
There was another herb named Roger. I dont really have anything against him, I just think he was a tall, doofy cat.
Place is all bullshit. Whatever.
Scott
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
All bull$h!t This company is a joke
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, October 03, 2004
This company is a joke. Good thing I got out quickly enough. Unreal how people can do s**t like this. It's true though, you can't hate on that herb CEO Ryan. If he's making dough, whatever. Also, April was not hot by any means, unless she got plastic surgery.
That's funny how dude mentioned that a leader bummed money off him. I remember some slant taking me out named Reiner, and we went to lunch at Eatza Pizza and he's like "this place is great, let's go here" Haha. s**t is 2.99 for an all u can eat.
There was another herb named Roger. I dont really have anything against him, I just think he was a tall, doofy cat.
Place is all bullshit. Whatever.
Scott
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
All bull$h!t This company is a joke
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, October 03, 2004
This company is a joke. Good thing I got out quickly enough. Unreal how people can do s**t like this. It's true though, you can't hate on that herb CEO Ryan. If he's making dough, whatever. Also, April was not hot by any means, unless she got plastic surgery.
That's funny how dude mentioned that a leader bummed money off him. I remember some slant taking me out named Reiner, and we went to lunch at Eatza Pizza and he's like "this place is great, let's go here" Haha. s**t is 2.99 for an all u can eat.
There was another herb named Roger. I dont really have anything against him, I just think he was a tall, doofy cat.
Place is all bullshit. Whatever.
Scott
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
All bull$h!t This company is a joke
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, October 03, 2004
This company is a joke. Good thing I got out quickly enough. Unreal how people can do s**t like this. It's true though, you can't hate on that herb CEO Ryan. If he's making dough, whatever. Also, April was not hot by any means, unless she got plastic surgery.
That's funny how dude mentioned that a leader bummed money off him. I remember some slant taking me out named Reiner, and we went to lunch at Eatza Pizza and he's like "this place is great, let's go here" Haha. s**t is 2.99 for an all u can eat.
There was another herb named Roger. I dont really have anything against him, I just think he was a tall, doofy cat.
Place is all bullshit. Whatever.
Raymond
Phx,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
everything you need to know! THE FACTS ONLY!
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, September 07, 2004
Okay, Westward in Phoenix on 44th and Thomas...let me tell you guys ONLY FACTS,no opinions. These Facts can be verified by me and by witnesses. Like for example, how Ryan told us that the Fed Access Charge is only $2.2o per line. Yeah he must of pulled that out of his a*s, cause half the office quit when a Pittsburgh rep told us it is $6.50! Take your time, grab a snack and read it...IT's for YOUR own good!!
First of all April can't say s**t on this issue because she is simply a secretary, and a nice one, I have no beef with her at all. But her testimony of whether Westward is legit or not has no bearing AT ALL. You see she never went out on the field for 10 hours, or heard brainwash s**t from leaders and managers. She gets paid $8/hr to smile and fly around with Ryan places, and go to hotels overnite with him. So April, don't talk, just look pretty and do your job.
Secondly, Brainwash. Okay lets get this straight, having a positive attitude works for everything, I understand that, but people who are ambitious about business are not to be exploited with this "concept". People on Fear Factor chew up roaches and reggurgitate the liquid then drink it because they are positively reinforced to "WIN" and "be challenged" and "be fearless", and "move to the next phase", sound familiar? Make no money, or minimal weekly, and then have a manager say "Hey, big day tomorrow!" or "Hey you got a line, great job!" ...this is precisely the same thing...it's not magic that we work our a*s and just stay along for the ride in hopes and dreams of a big break. This is the same concept that drove people to mass suicides by cult leaders, i have studied it.
Thirdly, notice that from day one and the next to the next and so on, things are never crystal clear about how we actually are supposed to get to ownership. Or even how to get into the next phase. What happens is since we are part of a "system" we simply work and when we hit a goal or NEED to be told to move on, then we are told. Otherwise we "shouldn't be concerned with the next step," as I was told. That's because the meat has already been shaken infront of the dogs. We know we have some type of goal, we are passionate and almost desperate to get there. So we don't need to know the next step otherwise we will catch on to the scam and quit. They would rather us smell some success and then MAYBE sell more and move on.
Fourthly, I was told by a former collegue that when a person quits that INTENTIONALLY April or someone will screw up on our sales data and/or paycheck. Thought it was just precautionary advice 'till it happened to me, and 2 other people who quit at the same time. Just trying to screw us again i guess.
Fifthly, Ever have a leader take you out and then bum money off of you while out on the field training, what the f*ck is that about?
Sixthly, Motivation is great, especially when it comes the morning after you worked ten hours in 168' weather and got jack. What is even better is the emotional rollercoaster that we get on by failing at first, motivated, then winning, failing, motivated, failing, winning, failing...There's no real pattern of success.
Seventhly, THE "SYSTEM" Let's get this straight. Test this. Pick some activity, anything at all. Be absolutely positive about it, picture your self being the best at it. Start out slow with low goals and get better at it. Now set a higher goal, got it? Make sure to be positive. Now set the goal higher and work harder to make sure you can sustain that goal without fail for an appropriate duration of time. Got it? Now fine tune the talent you've gained. Now that you have a "proven track record" teach some people about it, have them do it for you and make money off of them! It's not magic, it's CYDCOR's "SYSTEM" You could do this being a paperboy or with AMWAY, or even with sex!
Eighthly, Justin is such a p***k. ok,that's an opinion to some.
Ninethly, if you come from the eastcoast you have a 50% chance of getting hired.
Tenthly, I would challenge someone to find how many people make it to open their own office who work hard and follow the system! Find how many offices run successfully, find out how many people get hired and quit, and then calculate a SUCCESS PERCENTAGE of people who get hired. Guess what? There are "some" people who make it...You know why...think about it, they teach us this everyday at work...it's the Law of Averages! And if you cough enough times in a day, you WILL cough blood for the same reason.
Eleventhly, As Ryan always tells us about the success rate of businesses and how little people save and how much you should save...well wait, he lives in an apartment! the only CEO who does.
These are all the facts. Ryan should be ashamed to say that integrity is even a part of his business. HE LIED! AND IS GETTING CAUGHT! If you were a true "account executive" you would ask Ryan about the $2.20 FAC. This is my challenge to you! Peace.
B.
Mesa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Insider... Ryan keeps April out front like that is because she is hot
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 11, 2004
I see one of the responses from April who is the secretary down at Westward so really her opinion does not count. The only reason Ryan keeps her out front like that is because she is hot. You know who I am because I went to one of your boy friends concerts at the Bash with John. Anyway, yes, it is true that place is one huge load of monkey crap. I worked there for 7 months and took every advantage of their "system" of advancement. Basically it consisted of selling enough of their crappy products to become a "leader" which is considered a promotion.
Although it did not come with a pay raise because everything is commission based. All this means is that I was now able to recruit 4 other individuals into the business. Once they are promoted to leader I you are promoted to "assistant manger". I took advantage of their own system and taught people legitimate and HONEST sales techniques. I had already moved 3 people into "leader" rolls without using their lame system of lies and manipulation.
I did this faster than those other people who had come with Ryan from back east to open Westward. One of these jackasses, Dave, was the biggest slimiest a*s of them all. He and I did not get along. One my last day at Westward, I was about to bring aboard my final recruit, when I got back to the office, the assistant jackass/manager Dave took me and my Day of Observation client in for the final interview.
Prior to that he informed me that Ryan needed to speak with me. After my last recruit accepted the position, I strolled into Ryan's office. It struck me as odd that Dave informed me of this because this guy had no clue about anything. When I walked into Ryan office he and one of the front office directors at Cydcor over the phone confronted me. I was being accused of falsifying documents in order to achieve sales.
However, as they continued ask me to admit to what I had not done, I presented them with all the proper documentation from the sale including a copy of the bill and signature of the business owner which they were implying I lied about. I did not understand this but they persisted that the documents were fake. I asked them if I could call the owner of the store and confirm this at which point I was informed that they had already spoken with the business owner and HE did not recall speaking to me.
I found this funny when the director of SYDCOR said he because I pointed out to him that the owner was a woman. After a lengthy moment of silence on their end, they asked me to leave the room. I was called back in to the office and told that I would be placed on suspension pending further investigation. I went home, never again to hear from Ryan Dave or Sydcor. I was not fired; to this day I still don't know what the hell happened.
All I know is that unless you fall in line there, they will do what they need to get rid of you especially if you are having success by doing things honestly. The point here is that this place is far from a business. It preys on young professionals looking to find the fast track to success. This is a guise. DO NOT WORK THERE. GO IN FOR AN INTERVIEW. THEY WILL FEED YOU FULL OF CRAP, INVITE YOU BACK TO SPEND THE DAY WALKING AROUND WITH A LEADER, THEN PRETEND ONLY A SELECT FEW PEOPLE GET THIS JOB. THIS IS CRAP. IT IS YOUR MONEY YOU USE FOR GAS, AND YOU WILL BE WORKING ON COMMISSION ONLY.
RYAN, YOU ARE SHADY AND YOU KNOW IT. BUT HEY, YOURE MAKING MONEY SO I WONT HATE BUT YOU SHOULD HOPE OUR PATHS DO NOT CROSS AGAIN. ANYONE THINKING ABOUT WORKING THERE, ASK YOURSLEF THIS, DO YOU REALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE WORKING FOR A FORMER PENN STATE MALE CHEERLEADER? HAVE FUN RINGING THE BELL AND MAKING UP LAME MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHS IN THE MORNING.
Jenn
Phoenix,Arizona,
United States Minor Outlying Islands
I agree, I couldn't imagine working for a better company
#13UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 16, 2004
It is very sad to see what people can say about a company when they don't fully understand the opportunity. When we take people for their second interview they see exactly what they will be doing and from there it is their choice whether they want the job or not. If you think sitting behind a desk day in and day out will get you anywhere in life then you are saddly mistaken.
To make it in life you have to work hard. This business teaches work habits that no other company can offer. It is not a ripoff nor cult by any means. It is a different path for people who want to make more than the normal average of people. Also, the comment about the age of the owner, it just proves he worked hard and succeeded. He now is the number one office, but he makes sure his guys know it is because of them.
All of us are very well treated to the utmost respect. Sorry you don't feel the same but just because your experience was not good doesn't mean the company is bad it just means you don't realize that hard work is what it takes to make it big. Be sure to look for all the hard workers of the company because they will be the ones living the life they always wanted.
April
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
I personally cannot imagine working for a better employer
#13UPDATE Employee
Mon, April 28, 2003
I have worked for Westward Innovations since January 2002 and I personally cannot imagine working for a better employer. From day one my boss has always made me feel as if I was the most important person in our company and to this day I feel I am. I cannot understand how anyone could be upset with any of our employees here at Westward Innovations; we are all very respectable hardworking individuals.
Interviews who are invited back for a second interview are notified of exactly what is done in our everyday duties, and if they are to accept the position offered to them in the end, then that is their choice.
If they feel as if the opportunity is not for them then that is understandable, not everyone is looking to manage a business. As for ex-employees of ours who were not able to work as hard as those who have become successful managers, I am sorry for their time wasted. It is a fact that if you show up to work every day, and there are some who choose not to (Jesse- Chicago, IL), and work a regular day there is no reason why you should not become successful in our line of work. Bottom line is that you must work in order to make money at Westward Innovations. If you slack or decide that maybe you just do not want to work that day then you will make NO MONEY here or become successful! Just like any other business. Its pretty simple. I am proud to say that I have witnessed and trained 4 assistant managers within the last year and have helped open offices in Pennsylvania, California, and recently in Texas. WOW, and to think that it has only been a year last December. I dont know about other businesses, but promoting out 3 managers and 1 leaving in a month, in just a years time is pretty good.
As for those who have flown to Phoenix, AZ for an interview with our company (Melissa- Pullman, WA), that was their choice. I personally make sure that if someone applies to our office from out of state and are invited in for an interview that they interview with an office closer to them. We have hundreds of offices throughout the United States alone; there would be no reason for them to travel all the way to Arizona. Now, for those who insist on flying to Phoenix due to the fact that they are already visiting our state, then I am more than happy to schedule them in for an interview.
It does make me sad to think that someone is commenting on a position in which they have never attempted to pursue. I do feel that Westward Innovations is not meant for everyone, only the ones who are looking to follow a different path to achieve success.
JESSE
CHICAGO,Illinois,
U.S.A.
PREYING ON EMOTION AND AMBITION
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, April 23, 2003
I WORKED FOR THIS COMPANY FOR 4 MONTHS BEFORE LUCKILY I WAS HIT BY A SEMI(NO JOKE) AND WAS UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO THERAPY AND LEGAL WRANGLINGS. THIS HONESTLY MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENNED TO ME. I MOVED FROM TUCSON TO PHOENIX FOR THIS JOB AND WAS I EVER SO RUDELY SUPRISED. THIS JOB SINGLE HANDEDLY DROVE ME INTO FINACIAL RUIN. SEE, IN "THE BUSINESS" AS ITS SO AFFECTIONATELY REFFERED TO BY CYDCOR INSIDERS, FEEDS ALL PROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT EMPLOYEES THE SAME LINE AND UNFORTUNATELY I FELL FOR IT AS MANY OTHERS DO. THIS MIGHT SOUND FUNNY BUT THIS COMPANY IS BORDERLINE CULT, NEVERMIND RIPOFF. ALL THE REALITIES OF "THE BIZ" ARE OVERSHADOWED AND SKEWED BY THE "GREATEST OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORLD" MOTTO AND ATTITUDE. I MUST SAY I HAD ONE GOOD FRIEND THERE WHO I FELT I COULD COUNT ON(IF HE READS THIS HE'LL KNOW WHO HE IS) BUT EVEN THAT FRIENDSHIP WASNT STRONG ENOUGH TO BLIND ME FOREVER TO THE DEAD END "CAREER" I WAS INVOLVED IN. THIS COMPANY PREYS ON THE DRIVE AND AMBITION OF YOUNG PROFFESSIONALS WHICH IS JUST DISPICABLE. AS MUCH AS EX EMPLOYEES WANT TO PLACE THE BLAME ON THIS CROOKED COMPANY , THERE NEEDS TO BE A SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF SO YOU CAN AVOID THINGS LIKE THIS. I AM 100 PERCENT GUILTY OF BEING AMBITIOUS AND UNFORTUNATELY NAIVE. I WOULDNT TRADE MY EXPERIENCE FOR ANYTHING, IT ACTUALLY WAS A GREAT LIFE LESSON. I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND PURSUE A REAL CAREER. I JUST HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM MINE AND OTHERS BAD EXPERIENCES TO AVOID MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE.