I’ve been a little disappointed lately with the quality of posts on this site. It seems to be awash in conspiracy theories, wild accusations and just generic griping. I realize that many of you may have circumstances that differ from one store to another. Some have c-appy bosses, lazy co-workers and insufferable customers, but that happens in ALL retail jobs. Laying that kind of stuff at the feet of Lowe’s corporate leaders is a waste of time.
The REAL problem with this company is that the people who run it have no real strategy. They cut positions, move around titles, responsibilities and reorganize every couple of years but it’s not part of any coherent plan. They talk a lot, and I mean A LOT, about what they want to do but it means nothing because all you have to do is wait and they’ll change their minds in a few months. There’s no consistency in any of these decisions beyond cutting payroll and you can’t grow a business with just cutting payroll. There has to be a greater vision about where you want to go with your business and you need to risk more than just your bonuses.
Think about what these guys have said over the past year or so. They want to challenge Home Depot, but have they really done ANYTHING that does seriously moves this objective forward? Eliminating FSAs? Going to third party assemblers and delivery? You think that is going to move the needle? Seriously? Now we’re eliminating pick up desks in most stores and creating an overnight team. Whoop-de-do. NONE of this addresses their stated goals. NONE OF IT. Home Depot kicks our a– because they’ve put serious investment into serving contractors that goes way beyond anything we’ve done. They’ve put serious effort into staffing their stores and improving their customer service. And we’ve responded by cost cutting? What the f*ck?
The only way we’re going to get anywhere is if the over paid simpletons stop thinking more about their stock price and yearly bonuses and actually start investing and risking real money and effort. You have to be willing to go out on a limb and push the company and people to think bigger than momentary gain for themselves and the investors. No body ever succeeded by playing it safe and that’s what cost cutting and structural reorganization’s are. Playing it safe and talking BS. You have to risk your reputation to convince your employees and investors to think bigger and put their money, blood, sweat and tears behind it. Anybody getting the impression that we’re risking anything?
You’re pod cast is cute Mr. Ellison, but no one who knows anything really thinks it’s anything other than window dressing. Until you are really willing to step up and be a leader, this company is going to spin in circles.
Oh, and stop broadcasting the Lowe Down every week. It’s just embarrassing. If I have to see one more map covered in red or one more product spotlight that fails to improve sales, I may vomit.