I am just wondering, curious, those that have stayed, long or short term employees, why have you stayed?
I have been out, my own choice. By habit I check this page on occasion. All I read, and hear from a few I keep in touch with, is how horrible it is.
I know change is hard, and scary, I experienced that, but there are much better companies, better pay, better treatment, elsewhere. I was over 20 years in and worried about starting over. I found a new job before I gave notice, which I would suggest you do as well.
So, why do you stay? Store employees, RM, ML's, even home office folks?
8 replies (most recent on top)
I’m too burned out to fight anymore.
reply to 2ogn+1pHXqFyl
"They failed to adapt. They were caught in old ways. It’s a rapidly changing business."-
I somewhat agree. They made strong efforts to buy up companies, have the technology there, but the sale, message, trickle down was not successful. There was an expectation of store managers to drive the digital business when store managers did not have the tools to do so. Yes, we could provide links to a YouTube video and provide pretty brochure's that were available, but...how can you try and sell something when you have no access to fees, cost, IT requirements? I was pushed and pushed to sell only to find out my school was not combatable to the software.
The company failed to focus more on GM for way too long. I was a strong GM store, weak CM store, had a very high gross market (50-60%) always, and was fortunate to have my planners see that and support my store, always had plenty of merchandise, but that isn't the case for many stores. I heard so many managers comment "how can I increase my GM when they won't send me anything".
They also lost all credulity of Guaranteed Sales when they spent millions on Advanced Online and the quality was horrible, they didn't deliver on time, and communication was ridiculous to have to wait weeks just for questions to be answered or quotes to be provided. Such a huge, missed opportunity.
When you say you are tired of cutting because others are bad at their job-are you putting that on the managers? I ran a very profitable store, also increased sales year after year, but cuts in staffing I don't put blame on other stores, I look to the Ivory Tower. At least the old regime you felt supported, not a number, and felt valued, there there was an attainable bonus plan.
Might fail regardless but I’d rather have a new set of eyes take a swing then a legacy family company with no vision. I respect those who came before me, but make no mistake running a college bookstore pre digital didn’t take much skill. It was a used book shell game where money was printed. Many of those managers had no business running stores today as their sales were cut it half over past 5 years. There needed to be accountability. My store has doubled in sales and in growing double digits each year. I’m sick of cutting because others are bad at their job. Sorry, that’s the reality.
I would have stayed (had they not cut my salary so drastically). I enjoyed my job. I loved the challenge, stress and satisfaction of surviving a successful rush. My location was profitable with strong GM sales. Unfortunately JRC felt they could run the store successfully with lower paid roles. Maybe they thought my age would make me desperate and I would accept their lower position. But I know my worth, and I knew I would be expected do the same job for less pay. Even the new ML agreed the location should have been a stand alone as he had to step in to assist Campus Store Leader (and is still doing so).
For those who are staying, don't fool yourself regarding new direction. JRC has no concern for the service offered or the health or the workers on the other side of the whip. They decide on the outcome they want and do not factor in reality. Do or Die.
I now have new challenges with a new company. My biggest regret is how many years I wasted with Follett. I should have left years ago.
Follett is now pursuing loss agains team members in any way. Be careful and always document everything that you do and why.
Again I am 15 years plus. I served the old regime. They failed to adapt. They were caught in old ways. It’s a rapidly changing business. Might fail regardless but I’d rather have a new set of eyes take a swing then a legacy family company with no vision. I respect those who came before me, but make no mistake running a college bookstore pre digital didn’t take much skill. It was a used book shell game where money was printed. Many of those managers had no business running stores today as their sales were cut it half over past 5 years. There needed to be accountability. My store has doubled in sales and in growing double digits each year. I’m sick of cutting because others are bad at their job. Sorry, that’s the reality.
Sorry but your ivory tower shirttail is dragging through the bodies of the brave and fallen at your expense. Granted Follett of the past was slow to jump on the tech highway and see the move to digital, but to do so at the expense of the faithful was just wrong. Shame on you all for not honoring those who served for so long. Shame.
Food and shelter bro.
I know people will scoff and say this is a planted response but I stay because I finally see a path forward. 15 plus years for me and the old Follett was a legacy physical textbook company with dying technology. Now there is at least a forward vision. A willingness to try new things. And yes, make some mistakes along the way. Follett needs to cut hundreds of non profitable stores with little path forward. Follett needs to look into areas where they can scale. Like access. And big GM schools. Yes there are lots of issues to figure out, but we are no longer resigned to our fate of going away. I’d rather go down swinging. That’s my two cents.