Words of wisdom from the DM

[Mr. Rager!]

Today was a DM visit. While I don't particularly mind the guy, he's always nice to me... I'm never fond of his visits.

Anyway, so today was a scrutiny of HI. Since I'm the HI lead, I had to walk with him and the HI manager. Fun stuff.

Anyway, we start in the back and he looks up and sees shop vacs on the shelves and he goes, "Write this down... 'shop vacs are never to be up there. They are always to be on the floor.' I use absolutes because they are the easiest to remember" Ah... yes, HI manager had to write that down even though it's the easiest thing to remember.

We continue our search through the store and then my manager and the DM had this exchange.

DM=District Manager
MM=My manager
Me=Obvious

DM: You should switch these two 4 foot sections around.
MM: But we had it like that last time you were here, and you wanted it switched.
DM: I don't recall that at all. I'm pretty sure it was like this the last time I was here as well.
MM: No it wasn't. You said you wanted this switched because it wasn't to POG. So we changed it to POG.
DM: Well, I want it switched to POG, because the POG just makes sense.
Me: It is currently to POG.
DM: Oh, then never mind... looks good.

We go to lawn and garden and DM sees a 991 tractor, but doesn't realize it's a 991 tractor. So now we have two like tractors on the floor, but one is a 991 which means it has been used.

DM: You shouldn't have two-like tractors on the floor. Your space is limited enough as it is.
Me: We have a 991 one of this one of the floor because it was returned to us.
DM: No two like tractors should be on the floor, ever.
Me: So do you want us to take the new one off the floor until we sell the used one?
DM: No, keep the new one on the floor.
Me: So take the used one and put in back? How are we going to sell it then??
DM: No, you would keep the 991 on the floor.
Me: So we're back to putting the new in back???
DM: The new one stays on the floor.
MM and Me: I'm confused.
DM: Move the 991 to the opposite corner of the new one. (It was pretty much on the opposite corner... well, opposite side anyway.)
Me: OK.

We're always stunned when he comes to visit. And like I said, he's very nice to me... I've never had him rip into me. But he's made just about every other manager and lead there cry. Well, except for my manager.... she's a bad-ass.

[Becks]

He'd make ME cry, but only because his thinking process and logic would make my brain explode. Pain causes tears.

[cinema guy]

It sounds like he's telling you to keep doing what you are already doing, without actually telling you that you are doing it right.

[Mr. Rude]

Ahhh..I know this technique...


The old "make shit up to keep them busy" routine

[Rine]

Geez, that DM sounds like one of my old SGM. That man never knew what he wanted and was constantly changing his mind on things... Once he had me change a few endcaps in HI and then the next day he changed his mind and I had to go back and change them again.

As for the shop vac issue...I thought the POG called for the displays to be on shelves?? Because ours on up on shelves and the boxes are beneath. Looks nice to me; right on eye level for the customers.

We put our 991 tractors and mowers outside on the sidewalk. Though, sometimes that sucks because I have to reprint the darn 991 labels every few days because it tends to rain and ruin the labels. But I swear--I agree with that DM about no multiple displays. My store as three 71/37701 mowers and doubles of at least four others on the floor. It's really annoying and sloppy looking to have so many multiple displays. I can't get my leads or managers to understand it. We always have mowers that are in the ad that aren't on display and I ask them if I can switch out mowers, but nope, they don't want to. I just don't get it!