Editor’s Forum – Walk the Walk

by Rosa Sophia

We’re always discussing positive company culture and the importance of active listening. But is your business really walking the talk?   

In The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential, author John C. Maxwell makes an important statement: “Good leadership isn’t about advancing yourself. It’s about advancing your team.” Maxwell underscores the importance of inspiring employees and investing in their growth. You might ask, “What if they leave the company after I’ve invested time and money and sent them to trainings?” We shouldn’t fear this. If someone you’ve invested in leaves your business for a new opportunity, they’ll always speak highly of the owner or manager who supported them in their journey. Investing in employees and supporting their growth helps to grow the company as a whole. Throughout the years, the mobile electronics industry has been shaped by many leaders who make it a point to acknowledge those who helped them. On the evening of August 22 at KnowledgeFest Detroit, some of these leaders will be recognized during the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame awards. I’m sure they would be quick to say that a business is nothing without its employees.

Let’s nurture unity and grow together

In this month’s Model Mentor column, VOXX product specialist David Chamberlain makes mention of “tribal learning”—the idea that we learn a lesson, technique or strategy from someone, incorporate our own style, and then pass it on to the next person. The person we learned from may not remember who taught them, but we still learn by spending time around our industry colleagues and sharing information. Every training session and networking event is an opportunity to not only acquire new ideas for our own businesses, but to share what we know with our peers.

In this issue’s Strategy and Tactics, Kevin Hallinan urges retail managers and owners to roleplay sales scenarios with their team members. Scheduling regular meetings with the team and taking time each month to roleplay will have the added benefit of building connections and making the team a stronger, more cohesive unit. This month’s What’s Happening feature highlights continued education and in-store phone etiquette. Elias Ventura and Jim Rogers take the time to share their perspectives on the importance of working together to improve the industry as a whole. If you’re a business owner or manager, how are you working to support your team?

Take the time to look in the mirror

Now’s the time to step back and examine your business from an outsider’s perspective. My friend Mi Sun Donahue, a yoga teacher and author, once said to me, “What would you change about your life if you knew you would not fail?” Take the time to look into a mirror—both personally and professionally—and get honest with yourself. What does your employee retention look like? How long have your employees stayed with your company? Do they seem happy? Have they come to you with concerns, and have you addressed those concerns? If you have a high turnover rate, what might you do to change that? Do your employees feel safe, inspired, supported and encouraged? Are their ideas valued? If it appears that your company is facing difficulties, consider asking for an outside opinion from an industry colleague—and most of all, be willing to listen, even if the answer might sting a little. If we fail to embrace positive growth, we fail to embrace positive change, too.

If it appears that your company is facing difficulties, consider asking for an outside opinion from an industry colleague—and most of all, be willing to listen, even if the answer might sting a little.