Pros
For motivated self starts advancement is possible. Due to a lack of a human resources department advancement opportunities are not necessarily in the associates best interest but that of the offering area. i.e. store level will tell you to stay at store level and bypass corporate and vice versa. The thought processes by upper management is not what is best for the associate or company as a whole but what is best for the area under their management.
Cons
lack of a human resources department. the company has over 330 store yet there is not a corporate HR department. Lack of staff training this applies to both associates and management, both are lacking training and the tools necessary for advancement. Lack of a clear and concise corporate direction, lack consistent standards and guidelines from store to store. The last two are due the the family members involved in the running of the business. Each Dillard is focused on their own area and thus chooses to give their own direction out with regards to said areas. One would think that with there being a director of stores his office would have final say on corporate standards and guidelines for the company... But this is not the case.