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  • Report:  #955113

Complaint Review: Griffin Business Consulting - Indianapolis Indiana

Reported By:
Candice - Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

Griffin Business Consulting
921 E 86th St #200 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Phone:
(317) 257-5624
Web:
www.griffinbusinessconsulting.com
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
As a recent college graduate, I was looking for a job in marketing/advertising. I knew I needed to research companies in this market especially due to the risk of it being a door-to-door sales position. I'm mainly writing this review due to the fact that I could not find any red flags and wanted to warn future applicants.

I applied for the position through Career Builder and was contacted shortly after by the "head of HR." We set up a interview which after driving 90 minutes to, only lasted 15 minutes. The office itself looked like it was put together over night. The interview was basically talking about my resume, which could have easily been done over the phone.

That evening, I received a call back for a second interview, which was a 7-8 hour "shadowing" for the management in training position. I specifically asked the woman if this was a door-to-door sales position, and I told her that if it was I was not interested. She assured me that although some employees do this, my position did not.

Upon driving another 90 minutes to the shadowing, I was paired off with 2 men who told me we had to go to some headquarters for a client. The man's license plate was from Maryland, which I found sketchy in the first place. We then pulled into a neighborhood on the north part of Indy, and walked door-to-door in 100 degree weather selling AT&T U-verse services.

Luckily, we stopped for lunch (which I had to pay for) and he started interviewing me in the Subway. At this point, I was so upset that I had been blatantly deceived, and out right lied to. I made it clear that they lied to me, and I didn't understand why they would waste both of our time and resources. I said I would like to go back to my car so I could go home. This made for a very awkward car ride back to the office with 2 men. The only positive was my drive allowed me to settle down.

Moral of the story, if a company says management in training, no experience, high salary, and they have all caps or asterisks on their ads beware!


11 Updates & Rebuttals

Bob

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
Thank you for saving me some time

#2General Comment

Fri, September 06, 2013

I got a call yesterday from this company. They had seen my resume online and called me during a meeting I had and I wrote down the address but not the name of the company. I did some research on the address with Google and it brought me a company that was actually next door to Griffin. I thought I was going to an interview for a manager position for a Financial group. The phone call I had was very deceiving.

A woman mentioned that I would be in aquisitions. When I got there, there were others applying for the same position. During the interview, they didn't mention anything about going door to door. The interview questions were not the typical type of questions. They did ask me where I saw myself in 5 years. After I found out that the company that I had researched was for the company next door,

I explained to the hiring manager that I was embarrassed coming into the interview unprepared. I asked the secretary how long the company had been in business and how long has it been in this location. She told me the company was 2 years old and they had been at that location for 1 year. She then told me that she was hired last week and that made me very nervous. During the interview, there was another person that was "shadowing" the interviewer. I was surprised at how quickly the interviewer spoke and how long the interview lasted. He did make me "feel" good about saying that he will call me back for a "second interview". If I get the call tonight, I will definatly have some words for this character. 


Monica

Alabama,
Thank you All soo much for this!

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, August 29, 2013

Thank you all so much for posting these forums on here! I just received a call from one of the "hiring managers" at from GBC. She was briefly overshadowing the job, which I didn't know was a sales position until I read the comments. She actually put me on hold during the briefing because she had a call on the other line. I found that to be kind of strange. Like any job that happens to call me from receiving my resume online, I looked them up and started reading reviews and what do you know? Thank you because I will not be going to the interview tomorrow. I am in management so I assumed this was a serious position, NO WAY! 

Thanks,


JRF

United States of America
Thanks For Saving My Time

#4General Comment

Wed, January 09, 2013

I too will be canceling my interview. This is not the only site where the ethics and practices of this company are called into question. Thank you.


Monica

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
United States of America
Tisk Tisk Kate...

#5General Comment

Tue, October 30, 2012

Hello Kate. I actually just spoke with you via telephone today.  You set up an interview for me with Jordan on November 1, 2012 at 2:30pm.  I specifically asked you during our conversation what industry this company is and what this position entailed. 

You began giving me the run around stating "I really don't have alot of information I just set the appointments, Jordan will be able to go into more detail".  That was my que to google this company.  

I've worked within the Human Resources department as an Assistant, never once did I tell a prospective employee that I didn't know what type of industry my company was categorized nor that I was unsure of the functions of the postition.  However, your lack of knowledge or vagueness didn't upset me.  

What bothered me was the numerous negative reviews I read about Griffin Business from previous employees.  Then low and behold I came aross your rude, insensitive, unprofessional rebuttal to a mislead ex employee which cemented my decision...I'd like you to cancel my interview. 

Perhaps Jordan should retrain you, assuming you were trained initially. Even better, you should invest $50,000 in your formal education; you definitely fail in the areas of professionalism and tact. Kate Smyth, "Director of Human Resources" I guess they're just handing out job titles these days or allowing folks to award themselves. 

Enjoy the rest of your day Kate and your career of being an incompetent, brainwashed, fall guy for a shady, chickenhearted boss and company. 

Thanks to everyone who saved me from wasting my time with Griffin Business Consulting Incorporated


Candice

United States of America
Also Kate..

#6Author of original report

Mon, October 22, 2012

I'm glad you have now hired someone that is a straight shooter and tells the truth. Perhaps the kind of deception I dealt with will no longer be an issue, hopefully.


Candice

United States of America
Thank you Ladie

#7Author of original report

Mon, October 22, 2012

Thank you for pointing out the total lack of professionalism, Ladie. P.S, I am a woman. This is how they conduct business. I understand the hard work it takes to be successful, Kate. Also Kate, you should follow your own advice to grow up. I've been to plenty of business outings, conferences, and interviews where the business pays for lunch. As for my $50,000 education, I wish it was that cheap. There was nothing discussed about direct and indirect marketing until I was in a car, on my way to the "corporate office" as they put it, which turned out to be a neighborhood. But, I appreciate you taking the time to explain what I've known since business courses in high school. I am also thankful I do not work at a "crappy" restaurant job, (which is also disrespectful to say) and I will enjoy my current management position not going door to door. The point here was the way the company was extremely deceiving and out right lied to me. I understand you wanting to defend your company. However, there are much more professional ways to do so, like pointing out the positives of it and proving my statements wrong, which you obviously cannot do. Taking personal jabs at a person is not the way to do it, again thank you for showing the class of the company.


Ladie danger

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
U.S.A.
Nice Job KATE! Get 'em! ... oh, wait...

#8Consumer Comment

Sun, October 21, 2012

I received a call with an interview offer. I was quite interested in the job, even if it meant door to door sales. Nobody wants to do that, but I understand what it takes to succeed and I am dedicated to my success.

That being said, after reading the way you, Kate, ripped apart this guy who was obviously upset about the way he felt he had been treated, I will never work for you or for Griffin Business Consulting. How can you possibly expect anyone to want to come work for you with your attitude like that?! That man wasn't looking for your advice, he was looking for an apology. Let me explain something to you, if I may. When your company makes someone so angry that they wish to warn others about the way you conduct business, something went terribly wrong. This is your queue to turn the situation around back into your favor (EVEN if it's not your fault, which in this case it was),  NOT rip the guy to shreds, further confirming that you and your company are totally unprofessional and don't deserve a second glance from anyone.

Your comments about how Griffin Business Consulting discriminates against people with kids, your bragging about making more money this year than him, your jab at his educational expenses, and even your spouting about being hired by Fortune 500's to do the dirty work they won't do themselves are some of the most unprofessional things I have ever heard from a "professional" company, which leads to the conclusion that Griffin Business Consulting is NOT professional at all. Never in all my life, nor throughout the professional/management/"C" Level jobs I have earned my way into, have I ever heard of a respectable, professional company lashing out at a sore consumer/employee in this fashion while still maintaining their reputation. Not to mention the fact that you did it on an open public forum. No class, Kate. No class.

So have at it, Kate. There's my mark. Tout your skill if you wish, but the fact remains this:

GRIFFIN BUSINESS CONSULTING is a joke.

Professionaly yours,

Ladie



Also, in case Kate decides to delete her posting, I have copied it over here for the WORLD to see:

#3 Employee
Look Further Ahead
AUTHOR: Kate - Indianapolis (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, October 19, 2012

"My advice to the person who was very angry about wanting a job and not realizing that the real world and work is hard is that you
need to work hard before someone puts you behind the desk in the big comfy chair.  We do create careers for young people who are hungry for the opportunity.  We have reps who make upwards of $600 Per Week!  If you don't bust your butt in any entry level position, you won't get far.  And in regards to lunch, grow up, if you go on a job shadow with someone who does outside sales, they are spending their time and gas on you, they will not buy you lunch too.  Now, we have had a new Recruiter start in the last month.  She's a straight shooter and if asked, she will tell you it's an outside sales position where the Entry Level Account Managers do all the sales.  This job does require toughness and a deep commitment, so no, we don't want to hire people who have kids, because you made the choice to have a family, not a career.  We want to provide people with a permanent full-time position.  If you work hard at it, there is no limit to how much money you can make.  Apparently, when you paid the $50,000 for that college education, no one explained to you the difference between direct and indirect marketing.  So, I'll do it for you.  Direct Marketing means meeting with people in person, whether it be in a store, on their home phone, or at their front door to explain the reasons why they would buy something, and then following through with the sale of whatever it is you have to market.  Indirect Marketing means fliers people receive in the mail, commercials on tv, or billboards on the side of the highway;  this kind of marketing isn't actually as effective because it is not tailored to any one person in particular.  Please don't put your negativity out into the world because you didn't ask the right questions from the beginning.  And in case you haven't noticed, we are hired by Fortune 500 companies all over the world to do their direct marketing because they don't want to pay anyone a salary.  Think about that when you go back to your crappy restaurant or retail job where you'll work 20 to 30 hours a week.  I guarantee you
will make less than I will this year."


Kate

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
United States of America
Look Further Ahead

#9UPDATE Employee

Fri, October 19, 2012

My advice to the person who was very angry about wanting a job and not realizing that the real world and work is hard is that you need to work hard before someone puts you behind the desk in the big comfy chair.  We do create careers for young people who are hungry for the opportunity.  We have reps who make upwards of $600 Per Week!  If you don't bust your butt in any entry level position, you won't get far.  And in regards to lunch, grow up, if you go on a job shadow with someone who does outside sales, they are spending their time and gas on you, they will not buy you lunch too.  Now, we have had a new Recruiter start in the last month.  She's a straight shooter and if asked, she will tell you it's an outside sales position where the Entry Level Account Managers do all the sales.  This job does require toughness and a deep commitment, so no, we don't want to hire people who have kids, because you made the choice to have a family, not a career.  We want to provide people with a permanent full-time position.  If you work hard at it, there is no limit to how much money you can make.  Apparently, when you paid the $50,000 for that college education, no one explained to you the difference between direct and indirect marketing.  So, I'll do it for you.  Direct Marketing means meeting with people in person, whether it be in a store, on their home phone, or at their front door to explain the reasons why they would buy something, and then following through with the sale of whatever it is you have to market.  Indirect Marketing means fliers people receive in the mail, commercials on tv, or billboards on the side of the highway;  this kind of marketing isn't actually as effective because it is not tailored to any one person in particular.  Please don't put your negativity out into the world because you didn't ask the right questions from the beginning.  And in case you haven't noticed, we are hired by Fortune 500 companies all over the world to do their direct marketing because they don't want to pay anyone a salary.  Think about that when you go back to your crappy restaurant or retail job where you'll work 20 to 30 hours a week.  I guarantee you will make less than I will this year.


Kate

Indianapolis,
Indiana,
United States of America
Look Further Ahead

#10UPDATE Employee

Fri, October 19, 2012

My advice to the person who was very angry about wanting a job and not realizing that the real world and work is hard is that you need to work hard before someone puts you behind the desk in the big comfy chair.  We do create careers for young people who are hungry for the opportunity.  We have reps who make upwards of $600 Per Week!  If you don't bust your butt in any entry level position, you won't get far.  And in regards to lunch, grow up, if you go on a job shadow with someone who does outside sales, they are spending their time and gas on you, they will not buy you lunch too.  Now, we have had a new Recruiter start in the last month.  She's a straight shooter and if asked, she will tell you it's an outside sales position where the Entry Level Account Managers do all the sales.  This job does require toughness and a deep commitment, so no, we don't want to hire people who have kids, because you made the choice to have a family, not a career.  We want to provide people with a permanent full-time position.  If you work hard at it, there is no limit to how much money you can make.  Apparently, when you paid the $50,000 for that college education, no one explained to you the difference between direct and indirect marketing.  So, I'll do it for you.  Direct Marketing means meeting with people in person, whether it be in a store, on their home phone, or at their front door to explain the reasons why they would buy something, and then following through with the sale of whatever it is you have to market.  Indirect Marketing means fliers people receive in the mail, commercials on tv, or billboards on the side of the highway;  this kind of marketing isn't actually as effective because it is not tailored to any one person in particular.  Please don't put your negativity out into the world because you didn't ask the right questions from the beginning.  And in case you haven't noticed, we are hired by Fortune 500 companies all over the world to do their direct marketing because they don't want to pay anyone a salary.  Think about that when you go back to your crappy restaurant or retail job where you'll work 20 to 30 hours a week.  I guarantee you will make less than I will this year.


Candice

United States of America
thanks

#11Author of original report

Tue, October 16, 2012

Thank you,

Like I said, after doing a lot of research, I found nothing. This is simply so something pops up when future people search. I have had many companies like this, which is why I pointed out the red flags. Just a friendly warning to other recent grads. I'm happy it didn't happen to you


Flynrider

Phoenix,
Arizona,
USA
Here's a big one.

#12Consumer Comment

Tue, October 16, 2012

"  I'm mainly writing this review due to the fact that I could not find any red flags and wanted to warn future applicants.  "

   Seriously?  I noticed a real obvious red flag right away.

"  I received a call back for a second interview, which was a 7-8 hour "shadowing" for the management in training position. "

   Does "shadowing" someone for 7 - 8 hours sound like an interview to you?  As you are a recent graduate and may not have much interview experience, I can tell you that what you describe would be absurd if interviewing for an actual marketing position.

" Moral of the story, if a company says management in training, no experience, high salary, and they have all caps or asterisks on their ads beware! "

  There's your other red flag.   The notion that a company would hire people with no experience at a high salary is not believable, especially in this economy.    Think about it.   If you were hiring for a postition that paid a high salary, why would you look for someone with "no experience" when you could easily get an experienced person to fill the slot?

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