Design Within Reach – “DWR is hemorrhaging talent, settling for mediocrity.”

Pros

Fantastic product, & employee purchase discount. Studio staff are some of the brightest, most hardworking, underappreciated people in retail.

Cons

The micromanaging by senior management makes Design Within Reach a very stressful place to work. Decisions regarding promotions, studio openings are not well thought out. Cronyism is an issue at HQ. The antiquated ordering system means that the sales staff spends most of their time doing damage control on preventable issues. Because the studio staff is paid a commission on sales and online sales are more profitable, the company has no incentive to support the studios, and it shows. The commission structure creates animosity among coworkers in individual studios.

Advice to Senior Management

Important positions should be awarded to qualified individuals rather than friends and aquaintances. The company needs to stop making a profit off of the exorbitant shipping fees in order to stay competitive. Management could benefit from the input of the people working their front lines in the studios.