I read criticism after criticism about SG, RS and now Sycamore. What would you have done differently? And if you were or are in a leadership role of any kind, why didn't you provide the guidance instead of sitting idly?
This isn't a taunt, I really want to know.
Done differently? About 2007 you could Have canned the management that thought they had transcended retail to become political gods embracing folks that cared little for them.
Instead of planning new lines of merchandise, they spent time attending c---tail parties with the liberal MA types. So enamored with themselves they forgot about the business. Now they are all gone, and soon you that remain will also be gone.
Company is dying. Some may argue it’s already dead. Regardless more stores will close, more offices will close and tons more people will be let go in the next 3-6 months.
Could not have been said any better - "The company is now in a survival mode for retail, but like any good horror movie, it won't survive. The fact is that Staples does not offer a unique shopping need. Everything that is offered can be found in other retailers and online for cheaper prices at times but also less hassle"
“it is their stores to do with what they wish.“
What a great line! So true. That explains it all. It truly explains why we are where we are. They did with the stores what they wished and listened to no one and let despicable sub “leaders” harass and destroy.
Being in a leadership role for over 10 years there was very little anyone could have done to prevent this. Unfortunately we have not had great leadership because they chose not too listen to the lower levels. If they had they would have been able to prevent many of the mistakes that were made. The company is now in a survival mode for retail, but like any good horror movie, it won't survive. The fact is that Staples does not offer a unique shopping need. Everything that is offered can be found in other retailers and online for cheaper prices at times but also less hassle. No asking 3 times for every add-on and pushing customers to a hassle-free shopping experience with other competitors. The fact is the fact, retail stores will eventually be sold off or phased out for the greater good. It is an unfortunate side effect with many retailers, but it has to happen. Now you can either find somewhere else to work or come to terms with what will happen. I chose the first and have moved on from Staples after 12 plus years in management. I enjoyed my time and yes "Snake-Oil" products like LA are a disastrous and ridiculous way to rank a store, but it is their stores to do with what they wish. Good Luck to everyone.
I would not have signed off on eliminating the Fleet like SG did
ODP merger was an awful joke.- Ron F#cked it up.
Listened to retail employees at the store level and use their feedback to improve the sales at the stores- Store were run like total sh#t.
Got rid of toxic people like VS and FM years ago.
Like others have said - upper management were a bunch of looters and it's sad that hard working people get screwed over again while these souless losers go loot somewhere else.
I'm not in leadership role, and would never want one in this company.
Here are just a few right off the top:
1) Elimination of Fleet
2) M&A through years was too narrow in scope...MRO
3) Handling of Depot merger in court was a disaster.
4) Too late to mobile, Apple relationship poor because of arrogance
5) Poor comp models
6) Milked the retail cash cow too long with little reinvestment
So many of us spoke up throughout the many years of failure and bad decisions. Our ideas and warnings were ignored. Instead, these "leaders" chose to trust and hire other incompetent partners (some still employed in the company). Who's truly at fault? Well, obviously the leadership you mentioned because it was their job to make us successful with THEIR ideas or at least to listen to reason from us, and they did neither.
Your idea, that if many would have spoken up it could've had a different outcome, is very valid. Great leaders talk to their people, listen to their employees, listen to their customers and take action to the common sense warnings right in front of them. This did not happen at Staples; or at least not when it mattered.
"SG, RS and now Sycamore" are the ones who had and have final say... and look at where we are today.
And if anyone feels sorry for Shira you are crazy. She got how much on the way out? $12million to $15million?!? I wish someone fired me and gave me that as my punishment. This is BULLS***!
I, and others gave Shira advice, but she did not listen. She promoted people like FM and made other decisions that were counter productive to the end result of what the company needed. Time for a change. She just couldn't finish the job. Maybe a small company would suit her better.