The AP is reporting that longtime Williams-Sonoma CEO Howard Lester is retiring after 31 years. He is credited with expanding the brand from Chuck Williams's small four-store operation to the international, publicly traded corporation it is today. Read the store here. This is the second big change in personnel for Williams-Sonoma in the past few weeks after I quit as a seasonal employee on December 24, 2009. Although my accomplishments were not as far-reaching as Mr. Lester's, I did once sell a $200 corkscrew to a customer, helping our staff to achieve our hourly sales goal. And, everyone knows what an important indicator of financial success the 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. hour on a random day in mid-December is for any retail corporation. So, you're welcome Williams-Sonoma shareholders.
Although the corporation has already announced that Mr. Lester will be succeeded by Williams-Sonoma president Laura Alber, word on the street is that the difficult search for my replacement will not begin until next October. Interested parties can pick up an application at any store before the holidays and should be prepared to answer the following questions in a group interview in a mall atrium: "What is 'customer service'?" "Why do you want to work at Williams-Sonoma?" "How do you define leadership?" Good luck to all applicants.
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Do you think I have a shot? I am really looking to make a career move. Not sure I have the leadership experience they are looking for though.
ReplyDeleteGood leadership skills are required of any seasonal employee. But, there are plenty of opportunities for on-the-job training if you feel like you might need to work on your skills. For example, I watched a safety video and learned that one shouldn't change a light-bulb while standing on a metallic ladder. And, as we all know, a leader's most important duty is to keep people safe.
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