Williams-Sonoma – “So much potential, but lots of issues...”

Pros

Brand equity added to resume. Discount is great and useful for presents to family/friends. Big brands and big business allow one play with big numbers and feel impactful, at times. Intense and aggressive environment will thicken skin and build confidence in work and selling one's ideas. Huge potential for growth and improvement exists - the company is successful in spite of serious flaws in leadership. 9-5 culture is prefered by many - new parents or working moms will appreciate the work/life balance the a role at WSI provides. Sample sale is a lot of fun and friends will appreciate you invite!

Cons

Slower than normal promotion schedule within company, as tenure trumps talent in most departments. Senior Management is truly out-of-touch in the most stereotypical sense - remarkably unaware and short-sighted at times. Few true leaders at company, let alone change agents, and risk aversion to rocking the boat is high. Little if any autonomy within ranks as senior leadership is adept at micromanagement - this is perceived by many as lack of trust, causing employees to push boundaries even less. HR department executes directives worse than any I've seen in my career - layoffs were handled in a truly poor fashion.

Advice to Senior Management

Retire and let the youth of the company save it. There are so many people at WSI who want to see the great potential realized, but know it cannot happen with your continued presence. We need fresh ideas and a belief in ourselves again - not hubris and fear. If anything, respect your employees enough to not claim "people first" and then act in ways that simply don't live up to that standard. It's insulting to everyone at the company when we discuss our values before hearing that our vacation balance is being reduced or benefits diminished. Please wake up.