It goes without saying that this restructure was out of the blue and a clear shake up in some regards. However, the business needs to stay afloat somehow and there needed to be a major restructure so the business did not go under. It's time for managers to get out from behind their desk and help their employees or put in face time with the campus. Too long have I seen other managers just skating by or doing the bare minimum. Work alongside your employees to build moral and take pride with what you have. Make positive changes with the campus and strive for more than your complacent ways.
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Hahaha they already got rid of all my employees long ago. I haven’t had a lunch in a year. 25% paycut. Cr-ppy benefits.
I will just take the job and bide time applying anywhere else.
This contract will be gone soon
That comment below is why we needed a restructure.
Hey Home Office, How about this... the RMs and GVPs who have never worked in a store or even leave the comfort of their own home. You have absolutely no idea how to run a store or what it even entails to run a store.
Eventually all your stores will close because everyone will be so fed up with this they will close and walk. Good luck finding replacements for your seasoned folks who have been beaten down so much by your "restructuring" to the point of where they don't even care anymore.
Follett values are a thing of the past. The only thing you value is the almighty dollar and the power to lord over your subordinates like we should kiss your feet for the job.
F**k you and the horse you rode in on. Have the life you deserve.
"You realize that RM’s typically work 15 hour days so if commuting has to be part of that day to be home at a decent time even when there’s more work to be done that evening, so be it and do your job."
I don't believe this and if it is true, what the heck are they doing? How many reports does the home office make them do?? I agree with the original post, my rm never helps in the store either and is on their laptop or phone the majority of the time, or just chatting with me or staff about life in general. It is very rare to have a huddle, most get canceled. So whatever they are doing, it doesn't seem or feel like it is to support the stores. I would just assume the rm not come take up space if they are going to be always doing their own thing.
You realize that RM’s typically work 15 hour days so if commuting has to be part of that day to be home at a decent time even when there’s more work to be done that evening, so be it and do your job.
How about we get the RM's and GVP's out in the field helping the stores, and have better support from the HO so we can do a good job, and be profitable? In all of my years I can count on one hand how many times a RM did a store visit and didn't sit on their computer in the office or have to jump on a call, a 2 hour lunch, and then hit the road before 3 so they can get home by 5. I never knew you could count commuting time as your hourly pay period, otherwise I would be leaving at 4 every day to get home by 5 myself.
Stop blaming store managers for success or lack thereof. I can't tell you how many Guaranteed Sales I have lost because the customer is not going to wait for a price quote as long as we have to, or how many text sales we don't get because the publisher reps work directly with the faculty to cut us out of the picture, why is the HO not putting some demands on the publishers, like they used to? Stop blaming and expecting so much from the SM for being locked to their computer when the task list is endless. Do you really think taking CM and AP out of the store, and taking away the ASM's that used to do these task are really making it easier on the manager to have more time for "facetiming" the customers? Who is putting up the shelf tags every day, who is opening the boxes and putting out merchandise, processing the online orders, shipping, receiving, pulling and boxing chargebacks? AP from the HO? Is someone coming to my store and counting and doing the receiving? And who is loading the hundreds of F.A students into the system every semester?
Years ago, the manager was for campus relations, build relationships, hire/train/mentor, be involved with the campus, now-we are nothing more manual labor and cashiers. So, if you want growth in the store don't tie up your leader to a register or in the stock room breaking down boxes. I am never one to say "not my job", I will take out the trash and clean the bathroom, but why would you have your most experienced, most knowledgeable, highest paid, and most dedicated and loyal employees doing the entry level positions? It is not about the company saving money, it is about the company having no regard for what we actually do, proves complete disrespect to us that have stuck around through thick and thin, pure stupidity to think temps or minimum wage hires are going to do a good job. There are many managers that have worked for Follett for way too many years, it used to be because we really liked our jobs, felt appreciated, respected, and we felt we were an important part of the company. Now, don't be confused by those that stay-it has nothing to do with Follett, or that there are not other jobs out there-it is 100% because of our dedication to our students, campus, and faculty.
Or pivot to the bigger stores that do generate revenue and support them. Scale digital sales to maximize profit with less overhead. Sell general merchandise with good margins. Follett has access to a young college educated demographic that is desirable. You may not like their plan, but they have one.
All indication are that they ARE shutting them down.
Bad investment for JRC unless they wanted a tax write off.
SHUT THEM DOWN!
Many stores don’t generate revenue anymore. 500k in sales after expenses doesn’t generate much. Especially if there was a 20 year veteran making a high salary from when the store used to do 4 million. Follett has hundreds of these stores. If anyone else has a better way, please share, because what was happening wasn’t working at all.
The stores ARE your cost centers. Customer facing. WHERE YOU MAKE MONEY!
How do you make money if the store is not open because there is no staff?
There is no one working there that is capable of helping the clients?
If no one there cares if you buy anything or not.
Thank you helping me move on to a job were the employer actually values each and every associate! JRC - you are saints!
If other easier jobs pay more then didn’t Follett do some people a favor by letting them go? That’s where this logic fails. Many people were paid way too much for what their store contributed. Physical textbooks are a declining industry. Digital materials are not declining. General merchandise is not declining. That’s the shift. And with a layer of support for AR and text tasks might be reduced at store level. Some people’s complaints actually validate some of the very changes we saw.
Work alongside your employees to build moral and take pride with what you have. Make positive changes with the campus and strive for more than your complacent ways.
You cut my pay and the problem is me and how lazy I am.
Sorry. If you didn't plan on this finishing the destruction of your company you are jut not real bright.
I’m sorry you have bought into what the 1%ers have sold you. Here’s the truth. This is a declining industry. It is failing for that reason and many others. If you look at any other retailers, the smallest, most underperforming stores have employees that are paid better than we ever have been. They have better technology, less tasks, etc. I fail to see how this harmful action that has financially harmed a lot of people fills the remaining staff with inspiration. Also, what employees?
What employees?