Folks, it's all about adding value. Think about. What value do you add? What do you bring to the table? Relationships with he campus. In some cases this matters. But the relationships don't mean as much as they used to. They can and will find someone to do your jobs for half the pay and not even think twice about it. So again...and be honest...what value do you add?
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From my years with Follett, I have heard this argument (almost verbatim) from a particular high level member of management. I believed it at the time. The challenge it that this is a contract of sort. Meaning...I give my all and bring value and Follett takes care of me and rewards my efforts. Since the force out of key management and the subsequent replacement by those with little to no industry knowledge, Follett folks have been belittled, squeezed for money, required to work more with little to no support AND absolutely no innovations have been created (one might use the term VALUE) provided by the leadership of the company. So, this theory has been tested and found to be false in this instance due to the lack of follow-through on Follett's side. My value was provided an will now be scaled back.
Like the home office provides added value.
Now that line of thinking and leadership is the problem.
Removing payroll from the Universities is the core Follett value. The college bookstore is not a valuable resource for the students any longer. They're expensive to run. Text book margins s---. Follett=Asprin It also lightens the load and reduces liability.
They don't need experience to deliver those things.
Follett is a terrible company. You, as a front line employee can't help Follett return to being the company it once was. Your skills are better suited for a company that values them.
That's why there needs to be a model that makes it work. If Follett can not make a store work without putting the team in harms way. (i.e. One person in the store at a time.) Then they should not bid or at least offer a lower commission rate.
Labor is an expense line on the P&L, thats what it is. You can talk about all the feelings, etc.. but it all comes down to bottom line.
Right now, Follett's two biggest expenses are labor and commissions. Well commissions aren't going down so guess whats left.
Rimshot
Folks, it's all about adding value. Think about. What value does Follett add to student's lives? What does it bring to the table that other companies don't? Relationships with he campus. In some cases this matters. But the relationships don't mean as much as they used to. Students will find someone who gets them what they need for half the cost and not even think twice about it. So again...and be honest...what value does Follett add?