A diversity of jobs in retail
“Some store managers [in retailing] are running big box stores in the $30-million-plus range: people that need to understand leadership and innovation and critical thinking. Loblaw realizes that they need to integrate the experience factor with the knowledge and skill set, and are doing it with people who are doing it to develop the management and the retail expertise.”
Confidence rising in Canada, falling in U.S.
The monthly survey from the Conference Board of Canada, which tracks consumers’ sentiments on personal finance, major purchases and jobs, posted a rise of 2.5 percentage points to 90.9 (out of 100) for September, continuing a seven-month long upward streak – the longest since 2002.
Retailers embrace language of youth
The company goes out of its way to encourage stores to set up their own Twitter and Facebook pages. “It’s amazing for morale and gets everyone really involved because it puts the power of communications in their hands,” Ms. Balfour says.
Apologies Are a Sign of Strength
When you are at fault, you might fear that admitting an error is admitting weakness. On the contrary, apologies are a sign of strength. Adversity is an opportunity to show your true colors. It is remarkable when a leader is so confident and self-aware that he or she is able to simply apologize. Personally, I find it inspiring.
Training: Your Secret Weapon
I threw some money into developing a training program, never expecting it to become much of anything. Was I ever wrong. Our training became our secret weapon, because error rates plummeted and productivity shot up. Over time it expanded into a full-time, six-week intensive program that was called one of the best in the world for our industry.
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Celebrate Your Customers
You don’t serve your customers by dutifully taking orders. That’s old school salesmanship and a sure fire way to do the opposite of celebrating your customers. Yes, you may make them happy for the moment but–and this is important–it’s at the expense of truly identifying what’s in their best interests. You’re robbed of the opportunity to influence a change from what they think they want to what it is you discover they really need.
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Andy Buyting has been in the retail industry since he was six years old. Today, he applies his entrepreneurial know-how to Green Village Home & Garden, one of Canada's most successful specialty garden stores. Green Village Home & Garden is currently expanding into multiple locations throughout eastern Canada.
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