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I don't understand. If this company is as corrupt as everyone makes it out to be, then why is it still up and running? Exactly what laws are they breaking?

Most of the people writing on this thread are total [***]. I have been in this industry on and off since 1986 including several years as MD of my own publishing company. GDS is definitely the best atmosphere that I have ever worked in in a sales environment and the company is dynamic and focussed. High pressure sales is never an easy job and the tough working environment is reflected by the large rewards that success brings. The company is run agressively as it should be by forward thinking entrepreneurs. Personally I wish I had been able to join 20 years ago when I was in my 20's.

As for the personal comments directed against Ollie Smart I have always found him to be very even handed in the way he treats staff (and yes I have had negative feedback in meetings on occasions but my figures warranted it at the time).

I think people need to get real. I think a lot of young people nowadays expect something for nothing and don't expect to have to work hard to get a huge paycheque. Well, folks, I'm afraid the worlds not like that. Buckle down, throw yourself into the job and you will get the reward relative to the effort that you put in. I have to say, speaking personally, that you will also enjoy a bloody good social life at the same time.

I worked here at the start of my career and i am afraid it is all true! Yes, there are some very nice people working there but it is a true boiler in every sense!

There are a select number of people making a lot of money pretending to be people they are not! It is very amusing to hear what these people say what they do when they are talking to normal people down at the pub (lie after lie until they start believing the lies themselves).

They use bogus names and titles and constantly tell lies pertaining to circulation, editorials and confirmed sponsors!

I am flabbergasted that well educated senior executives around the world are still falling for their crude sales tactics!

WAKE UP!!

DO DEAL WITH THESE GUYS!!

You are either one of the runaways who took staff with you and a liar or just a liar......

Whats the name of the company that the former employees started?

Ya i heard some employees started their own media company but have no idea what its called??

can anyone other then personnell of GDS confirm that the business summits are legit?

Can somebody, genuine, please tell me as to what I will be expecting when I start working at the GDS cardiff branch? Furthermore, all these posts that I am reading.... you know I have to say. I can't judge anyone but a very simple question I must ask. Why would anyone, anyone, suddenly start a complaint about GDS? Either they are back-stabbers by blood, or they were indeed provoked by GDS callers or the work environment in some manner. Now 1 more question. What would make other people continue complaints on GDS? Just for the heck of it? As I understand, people would rather make themselves ill than right ill about a company!

3rd and final question: I see on this forum that there are some pro-GDS defenses; i.e. people who are in support of it. Makes me wonder.... why would a pro-GDS individual google issues on "GDS complaints".

In any case, please add light to my naivete. What will I be expecting should I apply to GDS, particularly the UK branches. Thank you.

Oh 1 more thing... I have heard that when you send an application to these people (i.e. job application), it takes forever for them to confirm the receipt of it? Even after you phone and follow-up with them. Please advise.

This is not a telemarketing scam, do you have eyes? and a brain to use them? It's a legit collections agency and they are calling you because you don't pay your bills, or the person who had your number before you did not pay their bills.

Stop giving bad advice!

WOW I'm sorry, this is posted in the wrong window.

I apologize

Hello,
I applied to GDS Cardiff. There seems to be so many reputable messages about GDS and equally, so many extremist (negative) messages about it. I really need some guidance about this. What goes on once we enter the branch? I am from India and I would need to spend so much of money coming all the way to UK + my accommodation, etc. I'm from a middle-class family. Some insider info from you could help me make a wiser decision. I read some posts saying there is sexual abuse, too much drinking, late night partying, "ethical-lying", drugs.... what's going on? Kind regards.

gds international, gives people like me, who never went to uni the chance to make somthing of my life....

im very greatful for the oppertunity to work for this company and very honoured to meet my co - workers.

all you people who have joined this group, either got fired because ur not very good at you job or because u have no drive to suceed.

get a life, and start living.
instead of coming on here to complain about somthing you wasnt good at.

bristol head office.....[***] rules!!!!

Diane Rai - I am sure than I will get bad mouthed by many of pro-GDSers here, but I can only give me account of what it was like to work here.

I worked in the Bristol office and lasted a month before I had enough. I lasted the longest of a group of eight who started at the same time. I can honestly say this was the biggest mistake of my career and wish I had left sooner. As for the working environment, the management strive on humiliation. I have seen people be forced to do 200 sit-ups while everyone was made to watch, just because they were 20 seconds late back to their desk. Lies were encouraged and if you weren’t lying you were asked why, or should I said shouted/screamed at why. Sitting was not allowed – chairs were taken away. Drugs were rife. I would say over 90% were addicted to cocaine. Personally, who at the time was a 20 year old female, was sexually harassed by 3 members of the management, including one incident when my manger asked to see me outside, and he dragged me into the disabled toilets and tried to force himself upon me. They had strippers called to the office, and it was compulsory to party with the company on Fridays.

As for future prospects, a potential employer at the time (who I went on to have successful career with) asked me for my honest opinion of the company as he was aware of them. I answered truthfully about my time there and was told in no uncertain terms that if I was not under that opinion I would not have gotten the job. They are notorious. Please don’t make the same mistake.

If you have a compelling proposition you do not need to lie. A good sales person does not need to lie. Good management do not need to take an intake of up to 10 every fortnight on the hope at least one will stay. Good management do not need to use bully tactics to gain the respect of their employees.

Maybe things have changed in the last 7 years, if they have I apologise, but I doubt they have.

Diane, I was at GDS for the best part of a year, I made far better money than I would have in any other industry or with any other company.  It taught me skills that have helped me immeasurably moving forward in my career.  Employment wise it's a pyramid scheme getting thousands in for a week long interview, hundreds who don’t last more than a month or two.  If you can handle the pressure, you can make serious money and move up the ladder very quickly.  The commission structure is paid for by not having a product- there certainly are a few flagship publications but the majority never get released.  As a result, it is impossible to go through normal sales channels so you’re taught underhand tactics for getting contact details for CEO’s and aggressive negotiating.  When I left, I hated this company- it is a scam, web 3.0 brings power to the consumer and it’s only a matter of time before these conversations begin to affect GDS sales.  It would, however, be hypocritical to tell you not to work there as you can gain skills and knowledge that cannot be learnt anywhere else.

No Circulation, crap content, Spence never opens the books, most industry leaders know them or heard of them GDS= SCAM.

They have titles like World Wide Sales Director who is 27 years old and keeps saying Oookkk, and are you well! They keep changing Publications and Offices!

Had a number of altercations with Gartner and other legitimate Publishing Houses....

80% of whats they do is illegal like calling pretending to be from the hospital to get my cell phone number!

Blog are filled with data on them and a couple of lawsuits they've managed to get themselves into!

My Ex Girlfriend works for them its a complete joke. They lie about who they have coming to the summits to get providers through the door. They also pretend they have spoken to experts and companies  and they have refered them to speak to 'you' in regard to a great opportunity. `The circulation in regard to the Magazines is laughable the nearest they get to a top CEO prob the airport lounge. The (warm leads) are also completly useless second hand datat bough in and prob years old. My advise to anybody is to not waste your time energy and money. It seems that they employ a bunch of kids to do glorified telesales roles dont be fooled keep your money in your pocket.

Me too, shagged my manager.

So who did you nearly shag?

Come on I'll name and shame if you do!!

I am a female and I worked there too.  Never saw anyone hitting on anyone else, a few office relationships, but there were lots of twenty somethings and so no surprise.  I am shocked at the bull spouted here, the company have 'real' products, you can't fake a fabulous line up at the summits can you?  You can't fake networking at these events either.

It's a tough job but I've never been in an easy sales job!!  

Anonymous people keep telling these wild stories, anyone could do that, but they never talk about specifics and they hide behind anonymity.  If this were all true why hasn't anyone taken them to court?

Who was your manager?

I worked at GDS I am guessing around the same time as Diane by the sound of it.

The place is a knocking shop where the staff thing they are extras on Wall Street when in reality they are selling ad space in magazines that don't even get circulated. THAT is why it's illegal in case some of you idiots who are still working there cannot comprehend.

The Bristol office was and still is rife with drugs. Silly little kids whacking coke up their noses thinking they are Gordon Gekko. It's laughable. Not to mention the married/attached managers who ALL cheat on their wives with trainees. (Thats right i'm talking about Gigsys poor long suffering wife)

Never take a job here as it will do nothing but tarnish your CV.

Thanksfully sone of us knew when to get out and now work for themselves (not selling ad space in fake publications I might add).