Pros
I loved the Values at DSW - Passion, Accountability, Collaboration, and Humility. The District Managers for the company live the values and expect their managers and associate teams to live them as well. There is a great training program in place for new hired managers. If followed, managers will finish training with a comprehensive understanding of the company and processes. DSW also has web-based training that is underutilized but full of great information that can be applied at DSW or any other retail environment. If you become an employee there - FIND TIME TO UTILIZE THIS PROGRAM! Mike McDonald is a CEO and will always be a fan.
Cons
Coaching in the moment and follow up have remained a struggle in retail. DSW has a decent process in place to log coaching but there could be a better, more 'in the moment' way of logging. Simply holding managers to "log something" daily is not an effective way to coach and develop a team of associates or managers. The managers need to buy into the development of the teams they work with, take time to mentor and develop. Having worked in a store that didn't embrace developing their team vs. having worked in one that did - well there is a profound difference in the level of customer service and happiness those teams displayed with the guests they assisted on the sales floor and on the phone.