Truthful Review - Business Development Associate (BDA) GDS Group Employee Review

1.0
Dec 2, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Commission package, salary for stability, location in financial district

Cons

If you read any review: read this one. The 5 star reviews are 100% fake and written by management or asked by management to be written on their behalf. If that isn't the definition of a toxic and manipulative working environment, I don't know what is. GDS has required staff to work in the office since as early as July, and continues to maintain that position from my understanding, in the middle of the pandemic, at its absolute worse. One of their offices has had over five people test positive for COVID within the last few weeks alone. You would think they would understand the implications of their decisions and pivot to work-from-home again, but no. They actually have sent those people home and told everyone to come back within 24 hours as long as they have a negative test result. These decisions are being dictated by a CSO who has zero sales background, leads with fear, and openly talks about her psychiatric problems. As everyone is super on edge and scared about their jobs, management just falls in line and does as they are told. I was warned by coworkers who have been there for years that the business has never been in a worse position from a management and micromanagement perspective. It was my experience that they don't care about their employees. I wasn't there long enough to comment on the sales strategies and they seem to have a good product/

Explore other reviews about GDS Group

5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay Challenging Rewarding New daily activities Pressure but positive

Cons

Young office culture attitude sometimes

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GDS Group Response
4d
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review! We are thrilled to hear that you find your work both challenging and rewarding, and that you enjoy the dynamic nature of your daily activities. It is also great to know that you feel the competitive compensation reflects your efforts and that the fast-paced pressure translates into a positive and motivating environment for you. Kepp up the great work!
1.0
Nov 5, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Met a few good people here, but none of them lasted. Everyone eventually quit or got pushed out.

Cons

This company is a perfect example of how to burn out employees, squander talent, and mismanage a sales org. Team members are often overlooked, talked down to, and treated more like call-center output than actual professionals. My manager consistently interacted with me and others in ways that were discouraging and demoralizing, and it was clear there was little interest in coaching or developing people. The culture feels more like a clique-driven high school environment than a workplace. Turnover is nonstop, and the atmosphere noticeably changes whenever senior leadership is around. KPIs are unrealistic, and the product is genuinely tough to sell in the current market. Hitting quota is rare, many reps only close a couple of small deals the entire year, and the commission structure doesn’t make it any easier. You’re closely monitored from the moment you log in, and by mid-morning you’re already being questioned about your activity. Late hours are common due to rigid activity requirements. Training is minimal, senior reps generally keep to themselves, and asking for help sometimes gets interpreted as not being capable rather than trying to improve. The day-to-day environment is loud, chaotic, and high stress. Headphones aren’t allowed. Standards are enforced unevenly. Some people are given a wide berth, while others are micromanaged over very small things. The culture leans heavily on pressure, constant urgency, and short-term reactions instead of any real long-term strategy or leadership approach. If you care about your mental health, professional development, or actually improving as a salesperson, I’d strongly recommend looking at other companies. Leaving this role was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.

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