Pros
The fundamental lessons around how to have good quality conversations and how to meet the personal needs of colleagues will stay with me the rest of my life. While working at DDI, using these skills feels a bit obvious and contrived because everyone has been taught them, but once you leave, you won't believe their power. Working here will make you a better communicator, and will teach you interaction skills that will serve you for the rest of your career. The facilitation training provided (FSW/ FCP) also sets you up with all the skills you'll ever need to effectively run meetings or focus groups or training sessions in future. Again, while you're working at DDI the skills will seem obvious because everyone else has them, but when you leave, you will be lightyears ahead of other people when it comes to effectively presenting content. Management are accessible and friendly, with almost no hierarchical barriers. And DDI are very patient with their people in times of personal struggle.
Cons
The company is conservative and slow moving. Change happens gradually, materials are outdated, offices are fairly dull, and it can feel like going back in time, especially in the age of a fresh, millenial-drawing start-ups. New ideas are presented, excitement builds, then not a lot alters. Technology is well behind and cannot compete with modern businesses who are packaging inferior content in far more interesting ways. The US business feels the most out of date, and because the company must align globally, it can feel like the US is holding the other countries back. The immense variety of products means investment and energy is spread thin, so no one product can really shine, a bit of a "jack of all trades, master of none" situation. The flat structure means there is not a great deal of upward mobility.