Increase your value in your workplace by always adding tools to your toolbox
By Bruce W. Cole
There are two pieces in this issue that twigged a thought that’s been on my mind for a while.
In Trade Talk, we mention that Nature’s Emporium has appointed a new CEO, Steve Hollingsworth, while store co-founder Joe D’Addario has reached the pinnacle of the company as chair of the board. It’s been quite a journey for Joe and the D’Addario family over the past 32 years.
Over on Canada’s West Coast, Kelly’s Health Shop has moved to a new location, and store owner Nicole Rumley shares the steps she took to find and prepare the new space. In the article, Nicole points out that her very impressive, 22-year-old assistant, Maria Kondra, was involved in every step during the move including helping Nicole paint, set up the shelving, and organize the move—a true jack of all trades!
Bringing the two topics together, the thought I mention earlier that has been twigged is about collecting tools. You could substitute tools with skills, experiences, or any other word, but I always use tools, as I like to visualize placing them in my mental toolbox and calling upon them when needed.
Over the years, I’ve interviewed Joe a number of times and learned that when you start a store from scratch, you have to be willing to take on any task. Having the title of “owner” or “president” doesn’t keep you from having to sweep the floor, build a new shelving unit, unclog a sink, or climb a 16-foot ladder to change a light bulb, regardless of how you feel about heights.
In his career, Joe has likely done everything you could imagine in the retailing realm—his toolbox is overflowing. Who better suited to be the board chair of the company where he has taken on literally every job?
For anyone just starting out—like Maria—it’s still early and the future is full of opportunities. So kids, what I am saying is, the more you can do in your job, the more skills you have, the more outside tasks you take on, and the more tools you collect will make you more valuable to your store or company. I always use the analogy that if someone at your company ever had to be let go, they should look at you and say, “Not them … they are too valuable. They do too much.”
Be willing to take on new challenges, learn new things at your store, and try to become that person who would be too valuable to ever lose. Just keep adding to that toolbox.