NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — With the conclusion of the 22nd annual Hardlines Conference yesterday, delegates came away with a number of powerful lessons.
One of the recurring themes throughout the conference was the notion of respect. There was lots of discussion about the importance of valuing the customer and providing great customer service to stand out from the competition. But a number of speakers addressed the need to maintain a strong corporate culture that respects staff, as well.
Doug Anderson of Peavey Industries told the audience that one of the objectives, in growing the company, has been the need to maintain the corporate values that Peavey was built on. Jim Thompson, a former executive with Walmart Canada and Walmart China, stressed the need for having and straightforward objectives supported by clear communication. He echoed the comments of John Herbert, a former Home Depot executive and current head of the European DIY Retail association, who stressed that good leadership takes true humility.
