Who needs systems, standards, and procedures? – April 2

Who needs systems, standards, and procedures? – April 2

When I’m in a conversation about creating stronger structures and systems in a department or storewide, I hear a nagging voice of uncertainty, at times, from the manager I’m working with.It goes something like this: “I...
Who are you working for? – March 5h

Who are you working for? – March 5h

Every time I ask this question to a manager in person or to a group at a training I get pretty much the same answer:”What percent of your crew are doing their jobs reasonably and needing very little, if any, correction?” Answers: 80 to 90 percent. (There...
A Change of Focus – February 2

A Change of Focus – February 2

Mighty cooperators,Today I have a cautionary tale.  Let me start by saying this…I don’t think it’s an overly profound statement to say we are bombarded these days by things we have no control over.We ingest a torrent of concerning...
It’s You! – January 4th

It’s You! – January 4th

It’s a new year.First of all, I want to wish you all the good things that you’d read on any greeting card.But most of all here’s what I really want to wish you.I wish for you to come to a greater realization of who you are and the part you...
Something Often Overlooked – Dec 6th

Something Often Overlooked – Dec 6th

Recently I coached a manager who was struggling.They really like many parts of their job.  They enjoy their crew, the customers, selecting products, merchandising; they really like being a manager.What they struggled with is addressing and dealing with...