Lester Sydney’s Post

Recognition...is a key motivator. ...is deserved for a job well done. Some may say, one gets paid for doing a job, but that "good job" or extra thank you can go a long way in building trust, and loyalty among your team. We have had several conversations around our disappointment in our in-store experiences throughout 2024. Walter Holbrook did an excellent job of recapping the state of store experiences and inventory levels in a recent post. I'm here to give kuddos to DICK'S Sporting Goods. No matter what store we are in the service is excellent. Today we were in the West Nyack, NY location at the Palisades Mall looking for a new T-Ball bat. Julio came over, and brought us to the right section, but that was just the beginning. He gave us a few tips on how to look for the right size. He showed my son a couple tests to make sure he got the right one and stayed with us until he was satisfied. It's hard to retain knowledgeable talent. Kuddos DICK'S Sporting Goods for finding Julio! He was great with my son. He even wanted to look for a new glove even though he knew he didn't need one 🤣 Is there anyone in your recent travels that deserves a shout out? Let's see what comes with tomorrow's earnings release! #retail #customerexperience #customerservice #stores #service

Y’all. A few months ago, I met a new MA Specialist by the name of Bradley. We talked about how LPP helps everyone WIN and he committed to doing his best, despite foot traffic in the store being a bit light. Well, y’all know me and my memory…I remembered that conversation. 🤓 So, I decided to check in on his progress! I’m proud to say he hasn’t let the light foot traffic discourage him. He’s putting forth effort and moving the needle in the right direction so I had to give him a small token of my appreciation. One of the most important aspects of sales is effort. And, if you give your best effort, 9 times out of 10, you’ll do better than you expected. Once you see what you’re capable of, that’s when the real work begins because that’s when you’ll start to hone your craft. 😎 So, thank you to Bradley and all the Specialists who show up so they can show out! Keep pushing so you can reach the stars! 💪🏽⭐️ Onward and Upward 📈 #lowes #loweslife #region5 #partnership #progress #passion #success #successmindset #service #servantleadership #support #learning #development #coaching #growing #teaching #movetheneedle #recognition #recognitionmatters #onwardandupward Chad Alberda Jesse Krug Andrew Bradt Jennifer Clark Jeff Morgan Brian Deal Danny Gates Brian Murray Chris Grimley Jessica Chalk

Getting your product to your consumer! Day 3 Hosted by Marks and Spencer at their Marble Arch store - things got very real! Kicking us off was Lauren Mallon bringing real energy and honesty in sharing her career journey - important theme being just how far attitude takes you in unlocking breadth & experiences. Hantian Wang brilliantly brought to life the magic of range & spacing - how to stand out and insight into what your customers (Buyer) are prioritising. Our teams were joined by some outstanding graduates Niamh Timpson Hannah Connolly Gregor Munro Millie Stewart who took our teams to stake out different channels (Stores, Restaurants, Pubs etc.). Prompted some excellent thinking around the right channels for the right brands. This is part of the magic of the industry: it's so very relatable and the deeper you dive, the more interesting it becomes. Our delegates felt the same - teams were getting strategic about who was staying/who was going: there's some tension brewing with laptops being slammed shut as soon as anyone who isn't in your team approaches! A huge thank you to the team Marks and Spencer for a brilliant and thoughtful experience - particularly Becky Cock who took the reins mid-way through and delivered such a cracking day. Over half-way now! The energy levels have been sustained, the quality questions keep coming - what a treat to have a front row seat! Psalt

Ever felt like your mistakes were just setbacks? Think again! They might be your golden tickets to success! Take R.H. Macy’s story, for instance. When he kicked off his first store in a less-than-ideal spot, it turned into a tumble. But here’s the twist: instead of giving up, he organized a parade, hoping to draw attention to his store. Unfortunately, a heat wave led it to flop, leading to bankruptcy. But here's where it gets inspiring: Macy didn't throw in the towel. He took those setbacks as lessons and pushed forward. Eventually, he established Macy's in downtown New York, and that marked a turning point. (New location, new beginnings ✅) His Thanksgiving parade? Well, it became an iconic celebration! (No heat waves on Thanksgiving! ✅) Mistakes don't mean the end; they're fuel for growth. Macy’s journey shouts loud that setbacks can be your stepping stones to triumph. So, embrace those mishaps, learn from them, and keep marching towards your goals! Macy's isn't just a successful brand; it's a testament to the power of resilience and learning from stumbles. Remember, even the biggest success stories have chapters of mistakes and comebacks. Your journey could be next! #leadership #inspiration #growthmindset #personaldevelopment #leadershipdevelopment

It is great to see leadership in the field. Dealing with front-line team members should remind leadership of 3 critical keys to success. #1- Your internal customers, especially customer-facing team members, are as important, if not more so than, your external customers. #2 - Empathy is free! Treat others as you want to be treated! When I was starting my career, my mentor told me that you have 2 ears and 1 mouth...listen twice as much as you talk when working cross-functionally with others within the organization. #3- Be humble! Gain your success by helping others reach their goals! Remember, most employees do not leave because of pay but because of the way they are treated or by the culture of their workplace.

🌟 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺: 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 🌟 Reflecting on the wise words of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, it's clear that the bedrock of any successful company is its people. 👥 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲-𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: - Walton believed, and so do we, that the achievements of a company are directly linked to the people who work there. - From the outset, it's been about more than just roles; it's about creating a community of partners who are invested in shared success. 🤝 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: - Treating team members as partners, not just employees, is a philosophy we embrace wholeheartedly. - This approach isn't just about fairness; it's about sincerity in sharing success and profits, recognising that every contribution matters. 💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: - 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗟𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆: When people feel valued and part of something bigger, they bring their best selves to work. - 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: This creates a unified vision, where everyone is working towards common objectives, not just individual targets. 🙏 𝗔 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲: To all our team members, your dedication, creativity, and spirit are the engines of our success. Together, we are more than just a company; we are a family striving towards a common dream. #Leadership #SamWalton #PeopleFirst #Teamwork #BusinessSuccess

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a hidden treasure in my desk - coins that brought back memories of a unique recognition program I developed. During my store visits, exceptional teams were awarded these coins for their outstanding work in customer care, merchandising, and overall excellence. These coins, when accumulated, could be redeemed for rewards like paid time off, gifts, and more. Those who received these coins were celebrated as "LINDA'S ROCK STARS" throughout our company, comprising over 500 locations and 2000 employees. Everyone wanted to get these and the stores would actually call me and ask me when I was coming to visit. And, if I forgot to hand them out, they asked! 💫 This recognition program fostered a culture of appreciation and excellence, boosting morale and driving performance. The average tenure of our team was 15 years. 15 YEARS. With all the struggles we have today just finding staff, think about what you are doing to retain them? Simple yet powerful recognition goes a long way. Who wouldn't want to be a Linda's (your name) Rock Star? 🏆 Recognition matters – it's a simple yet powerful way to motivate and inspire teams. Let's continue to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our colleagues. If you want more information or help building your recognition program, contact me today. 🌟 #EmployeeRecognition #Motivation #Appreciation #retention #employees #recruiting #hiring #training #retailers #TopRetailExpert International Retail Group, LLC Ron Thurston RETHINK Retail Liza AmlaniWendy GannawayMelissa MooreChris IgweTorben Valsted

Verizon, AT&T, Target, Neiman Marcus, Choice Hotels, Optum, Caterpillar, Pepsi, and others helped contribute to a successful event discussing all things planning at Globe Life Field. The shared thoughts on how to add better flexibility, collaboration, and streamline processes were some of the biggest takeaways for me. Excited to be a part of Pigment, which is leading the next generation of planning. #pigment #gopigment #planning #workforceplanning #salesplanning #epm #globelifefield #financialplanning

Forging a Lasting Legacy at My Store Today, on Father's Day, I'm reminded of the power of reflection and gratitude. My thoughts drift to my family, who inspire me daily, and to my Canadian Tire store family, a team of diverse and hard-working individuals who fill me with pride and appreciation. In the journey of a Canadian Tire Dealer, moving from one store to another is common, driven by financial and lifestyle choices. Throughout this journey, our guiding principle remains steadfast: to "leave the store better than when you found it." Among the accomplishments that bring me the greatest joy is the development of a strong, dedicated team and the implementation of strategies to recognize and reward their exceptional efforts. One of the most remarkable and unique aspects of Canadian Tire is our profit-sharing program for retail staff. This program allows Dealers to allocate a portion of the store's profits, based on performance and staff contributions, to be shared among the team. At the end of the year, Canadian Tire Corporation matches this amount. This initiative not only helps us attract top talent but also fosters a culture of shared success, enhancing retention and loyalty. When I first arrived at the store and discussed profit sharing, the staff's reaction was lukewarm. It became clear that they had little reason to care because they had rarely seen meaningful profit-sharing amounts in previous years. Since I took over the store, we've transformed this scenario by boosting sales and, more importantly, enhancing profitability through strategic management of wages and margins. This has resulted in our key contributors receiving substantial profit-sharing bonuses, with some earning over $6,000 a year when matched by the corporation. This significant amount forms a vital part of their overall compensation. We've accomplished many wonderful things at the store, but what fills me with the greatest pride is knowing that I will leave the store better for my staff than I found it. We've built a positive, thriving culture and provided profit sharing that truly impacts our staff's lives, creating a lasting legacy of shared success.

Grateful for this nonstop, rewarding, incredible journey with my Francesca's team—it's more than just colleagues or a team; we it's family. Crafting a positive work environment has been a source of pride, fostering a second HOME where every team member feels SAFE, HEARD, RESPECTED, and PRAISED. Our collective dedication has created a dynamic team whose energy resonates throughout our boutique. Our guests' kind words echo their positive experiences, reinforcing our commitment. Amidst heartfelt moments this week, team members shared newfound career aspirations in retail, a testament to the unique space we've cultivated. Their desire to GROW with me and our beloved company after working here for nearly a decade is so fulfilling. I love that they love what they do, just like me. Whether it’s creating an outfit on a mannequin, or an incredible experience with our guest - I make sure my team gets positive and constructive feedback to ensure they know that they are valued and that if anything does need some work, we will work through that together to be THAT much stronger in their role and duty on the sales floor. When a 16-year-old employee has you saved as "Allison best boss ever," it's a testament to the culture we've built. Succession is no longer a concept; it's a shared goal. The supportive environment breeds empowerment—I regularly express pride, a sentiment some haven't heard from past leaders. This isn't about boasting; it's a reminder that team retention lies in creating a space where they want to stay. While we may not offer the highest pay or the most hours compared to every business they could seek, we have heart, passion, and a genuine love for what we do. Our team members aren't just numbers; they're evolving leaders within our company. To leaders out there, make your team feel valued. Reflect on what you wished for in their roles and ensure they know their worth. My mantra: "I AM PROUD OF YOU." Celebrate the daily victories, for this little but MIGHTY team of mine continues to exceed expectations. Excited for the bright future of the Daytona Beach francescas team! 🌟 #TeamPride #FrancescasFamily #LeadershipJourney