Pros

Discount
Fantastic Associates who are intelligent and knowledgeable
Great middle management in DM's and RM's

Cons

Out of touch senior management, especially at the V Pand President level; there is very little concern for morale at the store level and it is left to DM's and RM's to keep store level management motivated which they thankfully excel at. Those managers who have been with the company longest seem to understand the People First philosophy but it seems to have been abandoned by all senior management with perhaps the exceptio of Howard Lester. Spending on the 2009 annual conference seems out of touch given the lack of raises for two years and latest reneging on bonuses.

Advice to Senior Management

you have really got to understand the reality in the stores. The cuts in payroll have resulted in a loss of morale as associates who have keen knowledge and tenure see themselves cut back to one shift a week. Managers are in essence the sales force which leaves precious little time to review Inventory reports, etc...