Giving Employees a Sense of Meaning in the Retail Industry
At the end of the day, work is work, and keeping employees engaged and inspired is an ongoing challenge in any business. With a voluntary turnover rate that exceeds all other industries, this is particularly true in retail. However, Best Companies to Work For in the retail industry don’t just inspire their workforce, they inspire us as well with awesome practices for instilling employees with a sense of pride and purpose.
Here are just a few examples of Best Companies in the retail industry that not only inspire employees, but successfully integrate the company mission into everyday workplace culture:
The philosophy at Wegmans Food Markets, ranked #4 on the 2012 Best Companies to Work For® list, is to “eat well. live well.” Employees don’t just sell a healthier lifestyle, they personify it. Wegmans weaves health and wellness into the fabric of their culture by offering numerous programs to keep employees healthy, active, and inspired to share their way of life with the broader community.
A similar approach to inspiring employees is taken at Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a Best Company since the List’s inception in 1998. At REI, employees are hired for their passion for the Great Outdoors. Again, this is not just a product to be sold, but a way of life. Employees are inspired to share their love for the outdoors through ongoing events, volunteer opportunities, video contests and more.
One might argue that Zappos, #11 Best Company to Work For, would have a harder time inspiring their employees. Promoting a healthy lifestyle or the Great Outdoors might be a touch more romantic than, say, selling a pair of sneakers. But this doesn’t slow down Zappos one bit. The online shoe retailer keeps employees inspired by focusing on a singular goal; customer satisfaction. Zappos knows the key to success is human relationships, and the company works hard to inspire employees on a daily basis through programs and policies aligned around this core company culture.
Any company can get inspired by simply focusing on what is they do best and embracing it.
Learn more about Great Place to Work and how we can help you inspire your employees.
