Pros
There could be a lot of reasons to work for Northwestern Mutual, but for me three things have made me the happiest First, Northwestern is a great company ethically and in terms of performance. I couldn't take more pride in my work place than I do in Northwestern! It's a company respected among its peers for quality products and services, and every year it leads the industry in performance. Second, the work environment is great. It is what you make it, and if-like me-you value family time you have a flexible schedule to work around family events. Third, I get the opportunity to work with and help great people everyday. Northwestern Mutual gives me the ability to do everyday what I always hoped I would be doing, and that's to make a positive difference in others lives. I never thought I would really end up with a job that would fit me in every way, but Northwestern is that place! I am very happy.
Cons
Since it is a place that promotes a self employed atmosphere, it can change from city to city. While Northwestern Mutual does a good job of promoting a quality atmosphere wherever you are, in the end it will depend on you and your staff. If you promote good values, you'll have a solid foundation underneath you. However, the small business owner format also means that you may have to pick up a lot of overhead. If you can't manage expenses well, maybe its not the place for you. Also, there aren't corporate benefits available for some staff. This means employee benefits may cost you a little more and may make it a little more difficult to find quality staff members.