Open your 💜 and 🧠...
I worked for this company for a long, LONG time.
I believed in Putting Books in Hands & elevating/educating our community! I still believe that is the goal of the core leadership. I had to move on due to personal reasons brought on by Covid but I still believe B&N is doing it’s very best to respect its bookselling team & customers despite this unprecedented crisis. I was shorted over ten thousand dollars in bonuses based on “ legal speak”, denied cost of living increases, performance reviews, shorted earned PTO when I left and adequate leadership/ guidance for years. MANY things could have and still need to be done differently- but as bitter as I could be, I still believe B&N is doing their best to keep the company healthy for the future. If you have chosen to be part of the the B&N team, let your voice be heard, share your thoughts & ideas, be a part of the solution/future- there are people who will listen and act on your ideas and feedback.
If you have moved on ( for what ever reason) move on, there is a world waiting for your skillls & passion! I would encourage the corporate team to reach out to the Area Managers and get them on board with leadership, communication & training b/c that is failing BIGTIME and is resulting in a loss of skilled and tenured booksellers & managers. The majority of the Cluster Mgrs do not have the skills to manage their teams thru this challenging time without proper training and guidance. The Area managers must be committed, engaged and involved if the company is to be successful in the next chapter. Their current hands off, removed, disengaged approach is a recipe fore disaster in the field (where the $$$ is made). Management needs to be composed of leaders, trainers & communicators! Intimidation, fear and scare tactics are short term solutions for failing companies. Please choose your leaders wisely, solicit honest & anonymous feedback from booksellers & managers!
We all want to see you thrive!
Wishing you all the best!