* Stratified compensation model. Employing "cheap" labour from Asia is part of the Agoda business model. The company hires cheap labour for functions or roles that are deemed non-crusial to the success of the business (customer support, sales, some developers and other roles), while investing heavily in others. There's a tension in the company regarding the low salaries paid to the "local" Asian workforce vs. the high salaries and stock options typically awarded to Western expats (or Asians educated overseas) and senior management. The management hasn't been able to address it properly.
* Weak culture. Agoda prioritizes growth over culture. This means that employees that create a toxic environment are not punished and are sometimes promoted, as long as they can get results. "Be humble"', one of the company's core values, is very out of touch with reality.
* Ruled by the Product team. Agoda is ruled by the Product Owners and while many of them are smart and nice people, some are arrogant and difficult to work with. Other important voices in Tech and Business are not heard.
* High fatigue leading to high attrition. Lack of oversight on managers, changing priorities and teams and toxic environment can make employees feel unsafe and quit with a very bad taste. I have seen that in multiple occasions and it was very painful to watch.
