| Topic Name: |
SLP |
| Message Name: |
Great company...but make sure it is a fit |
| Date Posted: |
02/14/2006 |
| In Reply To: |
The whole SLP concept is nuts. To think a company would take advantage of the economic declines after 2000 and 2001 and want to sweep up the layoffs and recent grads is concerning. A company who has banked success with growth from within. This company is paying for degrees not skills. As a parent if I pay for six years of education for my child, I'll be damned if he/she ends up as a retail store manager like my Army buddy with a HS education. |
| Message: |
Looking back, SLP and HD were good experiences. As an exSLPer, I agree with much of the sentiment expressed on the board regarding expectations. As an SM, I spent much of my time in grunt work. Not that it is bad (it has its moments)... but 6-7 work weeks on 12+ hour days can wreak havoc for work life balance. While some will tell you that SLP allows you to blaze your own path...it is true, only in some parts of the organization. There are great stories...SLP promoted to DM, marketing director...sure it has happened, but these are the exception. The average SLP associate once they get to SM should anticipate at least a 4 year run at the SM level. Even the most progressive regional vice presidents will be quick to remind their SLP managers that they were hired to fill leadership roles at the field/store level. So if you think you are the next Bob Nardelli or Carl Liebert, think again.
HD is great. But what I've found that it is no different than other retailers. There is another retailer (whose name I will withhold) that requires college degrees for salaried manager jobs. It recruits on campuses and holds the line with regards to internal promotions. Whatever the intent, some are getting promoted using the online degree mills. Why is this important or relevant to HD? The reality is that "task out" initiatives at the stores is taking more and more control out of field managers' hands and that's ok for the business as it has been successful for the last 26+ running on managers with degrees from the "university of hard knocks."
Choose wisely. If retail is your passion...then maybe SLP is for you. But don't be fooled by empty promises of advancement.
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