Has anyone in upper management ever considered that store GMS have great ideas on how the company can be improved from a retail footprint? I for one have a long list of ideas and radical approaches that I feel could lead to Staples retail survival. Not once have I ever been asked, not once has anyone from upper management asked what ideas I had, etc. . I am sending a confidential letter to Schira Goodman with a copy to Mike DeSanto detailing ideas I have had in the past months on how this company COULD survive and possibly THRIVE. To insure that should these ideas be implemented I am postmarking the back of the envelope with the same letter to show the date it was sent. Should these ideas be utilized I expect some type of compensation. It is sad that I don't trust them without the old post mark the back of the second envelope to show when it was sent, but with Staple's current culture I feel it is wise. The letter will be forthcoming and I assume nothing will be done with it but feel these ideas have merit and profit potential. The executives in this company have boxed themselves into these protected environments so they can neither be challenged or criticized in a truly constructive way. I would love the opportunity to sit down with both of them and discuss these ideas, the letter will be my attempt to start a conversation, I honestly expect NO response but feel I must pursue this to at least give my best effort.
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Your ideas would be great to hear, but unfortunately even with your ideas, this company is sinking. It will never be what it was. It's just a matter of time probably 5 years and staples will be a memory
Everyone who works for this company has brilliant ideas and probably a good portion of them would definitely benefit the company. I would love to be part of a flourishing Corporation. That's a great feeling. To be part of a great caring team. I'm sorry I have to tell you but it is not this company. Maybe ten years ago. But not now, not anymore.take your ideas to a company who appreciates you and all you do. It's just not this company, it's sad but true.
This company is dead, safe your effort and ideas for the next company that hires you.
As time goes on they just get more desperate and cut more payroll and lay more productive people off while the a--kissers and do nothings keep their jobs and get undeserved raises and bonuses "to reward their loyalty and efforts".
In the mean time things deteriorate in the stores, morale is in the gutter, good employees quit do to lack of hours and poor conditions. Bonuses for store staff cease because either it is impossible to run a profitable store and Staples can't seem to make EPS.
It's a downward spiral and I don't think there is a CEO out there that can turn things around.
This company is slowly going away. With or without your ideas.
Dont waste your time find another place of employment before you no longer have a job.
The DMs that stick around are just plain stupid. It's common sense that the more stores they close, the less DM's they'll need. Get out...even if it means taking a step back to being a GM at a new company.
I admire your passion but even if they do use your ideas you won't be compensated for it. You're an employee not a contractor. I came up with some ideas over the years that were utilized. Nothing earth-shattering but it saved a few dollars here and there. I got nothing more than a pat on the back.
Be careful. If you start becoming a star GM with all these great changes there are some (not all) DMs that will feel threatened and make your life a living hell. Hope your DM isn't one of those.
If you want protection, just write out your plans and make copies. Make sure you mail a postmarked copy to yourself and don't open it unless you think someone stole your ideas.
That's absolutely right, they want retail to fail. That's the plan and it's not a secret. They have said it openly. This was caused by poor decisions and obstinance. Once they started the downward spiral it was too late because their own decisions tied their own hands. Now all they can do is shut it down and pretend that the same geniuses who ruined it the first time will save the parts that are still showing slight (but fading) signs of life.
The OP shows amazing passion and it's not surprising because so many in this company once were. My advice is to take that passion, and your ideas, and present them to another company. Use your passion to sell yourself to a successful company who cares about what you have to say, who you are and what you have to offer. Caring at Staples will only lead to heartbreak and frustration.
I remember the first Staples store I worked at many, many years ago. At the back of the store, above the entrance to receiving hung a large banner. It read something like, "Through these doors walk our most valuable assets, our associates". It truly felt that way back then. This is not that company any longer. That's history and it will never repeat for SPLS.
And by the way, that banner no longer hangs there.
They don't want suggestions on saving retail, they want retail to fail. Their plan is for a minimal amount of B&M "showroom stores" and to increase dot com and contract business.