Ive been thinking about the two major retail conferences I attended this year, both of which catered to the young person. A big hats off to those retailers who bring mid-level executives and require them to attend the sessions and visit the exhibit hall.
Here were the attendees choicesreceptions, parties, sitting in a bar, staying up late, exhibit hall, non-LP speakers, LP educational sessions, vendor-sponsored events, sightseeing in the city, golf, seeing old friends, making new ones, and eating. I might have missed a couple. Been thinking that is a lot of choices.
Been thinking that there is really only one real objective in loss preventionprotecting the company brand. Would not every C-level executive be happy if everything that was done protected the brand and did not cause any embarrassment? That goes for the vendor world as well. People lose their job for failing to deal with an exposure or creating a mess. Rightfully so, executives react quickly to this and make a change.
What is not right is when they get it wrong, and C-level arrogance makes an emotional change. Been thinking about those mid- and top-level executives who have been victims of such naive decision making. Good that these people have the fortitude and resiliency to get back in the saddle; we need them in the industry.
Been thinking about the little things that the best in this business seem to have in common. Here are a few to think about. They start each day by believing it is going to be a great day. They dont waste their time on negative people who can bring them down. When you shake their hand, they smile and exude enthusiasm. As bad as a situation might be, they respond to it in the positive.
Been thinking about the counsel I can give to young people in the business wanting to climb the ladder and make a great career. I would tell them it is a lot like baseball. I love going to the ball park, enjoying the evening and sounds of the game. I would tell them that to be successful, you must learn how to avoid the tag. If you are cocky, self-centered, arrogant, and a know-it-all and try running into second base standing up, you will eventually get tagged out. You must be a good listener, be accepting, be positive, and learn how to slide to avoid the tagand head first is okay.
Been thinking that I need to work on my attitude. It should be a work in progress, not a completed work. I need to admit that when things dont always go well, it may be my fault. I need to say why I like things, not why I dont. I have to be more willing to help others without expectations. Being cynical is a trait you learn in this business, but dont bring it home. Also, all of us need to count our blessings.
Been thinking about how many times I have heard someone say to me, See you later and dont work too hard. I always take that as a positive that someone thinks I am working hard and trying to be successful; I hope so. So to all of you, Dont work too hard.
Lastly and in keeping with our fifteenth anniversary, I leave this question for the magazine historians. We have interviewed over ninety executives. Only three have been interviewed more than once. Who are they? Hint: they all retired from their last jobs.
