Did you know that Dave Carver, candidate for Mayor of Greenfield once managed 27 Sam's Clubs throughout the midwest?
It's true! I managed 27 Sam's clubs within the "Central Region" of the United States. Central Region was the largest region in the Sam's Club portfolio and generated approximately $65,000,000 in total sales each year. I was tasked with "fixing" this region when I was promoted.
I inherited 6/27 stores without managers and my new stores had the lowest sales in the region in 2014. Within 1 year, I was able to turn this region around and took my team from last in the region to best in the region. My region had a 70.01% YOY sales lift during my first 12 months as regional manager.
So, how was I able to turn an underperforming region around so quickly? Good question!
I analysed my market by conducting store visits over the first 60 days of taking over. I took notes, talked with staff, and developed a plan of action for my team. My plan of action was based on my leadership vision for this region;
- Deliverables
- Accountability
- Value
- Execution
My first thought, as a brand new regional manager was "don't assume that they know the basics." In thinking this way, and by conducting store by store evaluation of my personnel, I was able to quickly establish who knew the basics of their position and who was executing the basics both at acceptable and high levels of understanding. I quickly communicated my high expectations to my new team, asked for and received commitments to those expectations, and then began the process of building each manager up through:
- Communicating with care
- Listening to the concerns of my managers
- Celebrating "wins" with the rest of the team
- Appreciating and recognizing his exceptional managers
- Control of expenses
- Stayed passionate about my vision
“The task of the leader is to get his/her people from where they are to where they have NOT been” - Henry Kissinger
I believe that "Transformational Leadership" is about these 4 things;
○ Creating an inspiring vision of the future
○ Motivating and inspiring people to engage with that vision
○ Managing delivery of the vision
○ Coaching and building a team, to a level that it is more effective at achieving the vision
In 2014 my year end evaluation by my executive management team, I was cited for;
"You are capable of making a quick impact on any project and have shown this by excellent direction and follow up skills"
"Always asks the right questions"
"Productive Work Habits- Focusing on areas of challenge first has been the priority and you have exceeded every expectation"
"Superior Quality. Earlier than expected. Under budget. “Wows” the customer/client. (105% and above)"
I have always loved this quote by Nelson Mandela “A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”
I believe that it is time for a culture change within the City of Greenfield. In order to achieve great things, we must have department heads and their respective employees that are proud to be representing the city of Greenfield. I know that I can change the culture of this city but only if you care enough to cast a vote for change.
Thank you for reading!
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