As pre-work to the follow up training last February, DMs were asked to identify 3 success stories with business impact after applying the leadership strategies from RMM.  We heard about Store Managers who were ‘on warning’ moving to the top of a district’s performance in key metrics.  There were stories about turnover being reduced by up to 90% in a district based on a new level of engagement and motivation from the DM.  We heard about 9%, 10%, and 11% sales increases based on new leadership ideas being implemented.

That is what we expected to hear because that is the impact that we almost always hear from DMs using this program.  What the SVP, Stores shared at the end though was something of a head-turning moment.

As he listened to the success stories, with a new level of details and specifics, he noticed a theme.  In his summary he said that while he was proud that the Regionals and DMs clearly embraced this new more powerful approach to leading at a distance, he reminded them that there was another important fact emerging.  They were changing how their Store Managers were leading because of this new model which in turn changed how associates were lead and engaged.  He told the group that they were changing the culture of the entire organization one leader at a time.  The training, while very valuable for the target population, was helping to reshape a results-oriented, service driven culture that would give them a decidedly strong competitive edge.

The first time we implemented any training was eight months ago.  Now, eight months later they still were using what they learned, were more competent and natural in using it, and showed the business case for why they should continue.

This is the power of training tied to business and making it a process rather than an event.  How do you achieve that in your company?  Let us know your thoughts here or tweet us @mohrretail.  Every day is a chance to learn MOHR.

Posted in Editorial
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About MOHR Retail

For more than 30 years, MOHR Retail has developed the critical people-to-people skills needed to create results in the retail industry—and we’re just getting started. Through innovative classroom and online learning methods, as well as our ongoing national retail research projects, we continue to stay on top of the trends so we can fuel the success of specialty stores, chain stores, outlets, catalogue retailers, department stores, and more. Nowhere does learning meet experience as it does in a MOHR Retail training program.