I’d have to say that from the six Christmas’s I now have spent in retail, this one for sure is up there with the most chaotic. Chaotic in an awesome way!
December trade has been busy for us as at Te Awamutu and keeping all my team as busy as ever, as I knew it would! It has been really awesome to see all the hard work and planning that goes as far back as August, alive and paying off! It’s a great feeling to see all the dollars in wages I have spent on rostering people, put to good use.
Whilst sales are slower than anticipated, we’re all reasonably happy with how Christmas has gone for us and will no doubt take some time out as a management team post Christmas to debrief.
Each Christmas I do with The Warehouse I continue to learn more about myself and retail. This will make me a greater leader when I’m running my very own red shed from the big chair!
Earlier this month, as I mentioned in my last blog, a group of SMDPers from around the North Island gathered in Taupo for a weekend away. We had an awesome time and it was good to see each other, as we never know how long it could be until we get to make the most of each other’s company again! Sharing our current learning’s in store was a highlight as we are all at different levels of the programme and this certainly adds value.
My highlight of this month would have to be receiving some awesome news.
As on the 31st of January I am the new Assistant Store Manager of The Warehouse Cambridge!
Whilst it will be sad to leave this store and the Te Awamutu team behind, I know that this is the right move for my career. I’m lucky to be staying in the same region where I can continue to capitalise on the support networks that I have built around me.
It’s a big step up from having been in Team Leader roles for the past 18 months, but having learnt what I have (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and identifying my biggest opportunities, this will put me in the best possible position to lead and work with the Cambridge team.
I have a decent holiday booked for Christmas and New Year. I’m heading home to Christchurch which I’m thoroughly looking forward to. When I return I have a huge amount of things I need to work through in Te Awamutu before the end of January but I’m sure I will enjoy every minute of it and make the most of my last few days with the Te Awamutu team.
I hope whatever part of New Zealand you are in, you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
