Pros: opportunities exist for career development.
Cons: communication downward can be a bit lagging, but very comparable to most larger companies.
Invest in training and enabling people. Lead by example. Try to eliminate the politics, and concentrate on fixing the problems. Demand standards and consistency. Encourage true leadership - not just people who nod in approval.
Lots of projects that involve cross functional interaction help you learn about many disciplines like merchandising, finance,
– more... distribution, etc. – less