Is your marketing department a sweatshop?

Oct 23, 2014

We recently got an anonymous blog comment, that got me thinking. "Why is no one talking about the white collar sweatshops of the marketing departments and marketing staff within most A/E firms?" the person asked.

Have you ever worked somewhere where the marketing department (or any department for that matter) works 12-hour days for days on end, has unpaid overtime, has to participate in the endless chasing of every single RFP that comes out, and never gets acknowledgement for their efforts?

Are marketing departments overworked at A/E firms and why does this happen? Are their too many "all hands on deck" situations when a proposal needs to go out? Are marketing departments undervalued and only approached when someone needs something "right now"?

Is this a phenomenon from the past or something still experienced today? We want to know your thoughts!

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the industry leader and premiere authority in AEC firm management and marketing, the go-to source for data and research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a complicated and challenging marketplace through services that include: Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Valuation, Executive Search, Board of Director Services, Ownership Transition, Marketing & Branding, and Business Development Training. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.