(This is my current article from the CBA Industry magazine.)
Over the past year, my life has been changed.
And now, as we move headlong into a general election for the leader of our nation, this thought that has changed my life grows even more apparent.
One thing that we have already heard many times from the various politicians that are running for president is a statement that I know we could all recite. That statement is…
“What kind of world are we going to leave our children?”
In this, we find a core reason for why these politicians are seeking the opportunity to serve. However, for me, this statement has taken on a whole different look and has challenged me both as a parent and as a retailer.
The only difference is this…
I believe it is time to change that statement around for it to read like this…
“What kind of children are we going to leave our world?”
As both a parent, and a retailer that sells and even features products for children, I find this new way of looking at this old and sometimes overused statement… challenging.
As I have had the privilege to visit many of our industry stores and speak to many of our vendor partners, I see and hear something troubling…
Why do our children’s departments not make any sense?
Now, this is not meant to be a sweeping statement. And, I do not claim to have perfect children’s departments in our stores.
However, if we truly seek to impact our world through what we do through this amazing industry called, Christian Retail. Then, it seems we need to move headlong into our children’s departments with one question in mind…
“What kind of children are we going to leave our world?”
What would our children’s departments look like if we looked at them through this lens?
This seems like something we could all work together on across the board as an industry initiative to improve literacy in children.
Let’s hit the pause button for a moment and check out these statistics covering the past decade on illiteracy in the United States.
•Low literacy is strongly related to crime. 70% of prisoners fall into the lowest two levels of reading proficiency (National Institute for Literacy, 1998).
•Low literacy is strongly related to unemployment. More than 20% of adults read at or below a fifth grade level – far below the level needed to earn a living wage.
•75% of today’s jobs require at least a ninth-grade reading level (National Institute for Literacy, 1998)
•Low literacy is strongly related to poverty. 43% of those with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty. (National Institute for Literacy, 1998)
•Close to 37 million people live below the federal poverty level in America, and the majority of these are women and children (1997)
•In 1997, 47% of Philadelphia’s homeless were families with children who lack sufficient reading skills; 10,340 homeless children were deprived of good reading practice. (Office of Housing and Community Development)
•The adult illiteracy rate in the United States is 38.4%
•More than 4 in 10 preschoolers, 5 in 10 toddlers, and 6 in 10 babies are not read to regularly. (1998)
•40% of American children have difficulty reading or learning to read. (1999)
•The average family in Philadelphia has one book: the phone book
Matter of fact, as I write this article, I am meeting with a pastor in the deepest urban part of Portland, Oregon. The statistics he is showing me about the demographics within one mile of his building are astounding.
As I sat there and listened to him, I find myself getting very excited about the possibility of returning to our roots by seeking to transcend the methods of traditional retail, lead, or be a part of a some sort of movement that takes us beyond ourselves, and puts us smack dab in the middle of God’s work in the communities around us.
As we discussed in my last article, I truly believe that together with our communities… we can make a difference and we can be relevant.
Now, again, I do realize this is a merchandising column, so… walk with me a little bit through our kids departments and let’s ask these “what if” questions…
•As many of our vendors over the past few years have worked to offer retailers merchandising materials to better present our Bible departments to our guests… why not offer the same concept, but for the kids departments?
However, for the kids departments…
oSignage/Materials by age group
oBut, how about this for a twist… the top shelf of those categories will be parenting books for parents which have kids in those age groups.
•Now, again, I realize this is not rocket-science, and maybe some of you are already doing this. I know that some of the big box stores are at least breaking up books by age group instead of category. But, throw books on the top shelf for the parents to help them in their development of parenting skills… whoa!
Are you starting to see it? Oh how overwhelming our kids departments can be to a parent, and even an employee for that matter.
I don’t know about you, but when I read stats like I briefly mentioned, I get a sense of urgency to make our kids departments work and to make sense and to be meaningful. Certainly, we can add all the color we want and the fun posters and the kid’s movies playing, but…what are we doing to make the process easier and meaningful? What are we doing to get not only kids reading, but parents too?
But, let’s not stop here on our walk through the kids department.
Now that we have made sense of how we rack the books, ensure all kids product releases have recommended age groups on them, and have identified solid books for parents with kids those ages…
What about the good old summer reading programs? These are excellent and many of you are doing these, as it is critical to keep kids reading during summer. But, kids are learning to read throughout the entire year. Kids are getting tested on their reading skills throughout the entire year. Kids are doing book reports throughout the entire year. Why can’t they be reading our books? Why can’t they be learning to read, by reading our books and especially the Bible? Why not turn our summer reading programs into vendor/retailer/community/church sponsored reading initiative throughout the entire year?
In essence, we are then turning our kid’s book departments into a year round reading program for every level of reader and age group.
Have you ever been to Chuck E. Cheese? Yeah, only when you have to, you might say. But, those kids, [and me too] work hard to earn those tickets. Some even save them up for their next trip there.
Why are they doing this? They want to earn a really cool prize. I mean, have you seen how these kids covet those tickets? You would think they held the ark in their very hands.
So, why can’t we do this? Why can’t we reward both kids and their parents for year round reading? And yes, I said parents too. Part of this initiative needs to be challenging parents to read with their kids at least 30 minutes per day.
Can you imagine the impact on families, schools, communities, the economy, the future, and most importantly… the Kingdom?
True, we have worked hard together in this industry over the years to best integrate our operations. Sometimes, we have seen success, while others…
But, for me, I see no greater initiative we could and should unite on then improving literacy.
So, how well do you know the literacy rate in your community? Find out. How well are you connected to those in your community that are committed to improving literacy?
Now is the time my friends. As we continue to hear more and more dreary forecasts of the future and as we continue to be so focused on making that next payment to that vendor, let’s stop for a moment and get strategic.
Let’s remember two things…
A. Do our stores reflect the Greatest Story Ever Told?
B. What kind of children will we leave our world?
Between these two things… I believe a bright, no… make that… a very bright future lies straight ahead.
In this, will you join me? Can we join together? For more information on literacy, please check out a little site I built found at… www.togethernow.wordpress.com
Together, we can make a difference.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
There's always a story...
Constantino Bustos-Cruz
Constantino was a rough looking short guy who wore a hard helmet with Tino painted on the front. He was an older man, but was probably much younger than he looked. My guess is that he was actually in his sixties. But, the years of living on the streets and such provided obvious wear and tear on his appearance.
With white curly, raggedy hair and a out of control fu manchu goatee, Tino sat in the seat behind me on the light rail.
I had briefly noticed him when he got on the train. So much so, that I sent myself an email with a brief description of what I saw. You see all kinds of people on the train. So many people, so many stories.
I really don't remember how our conversation started. However, I realized very early on that with his broekn english, I was only going to understand every fifth or sixth word he said. But, it was at that thought that I realized that understanding every word he said was not the point.
It was taking the time to look him in the eye, treat him like a normal human being and that he was valued that was the point.
From our conversation, here is what I learned...
1. He is from Mexico City
2. Came to US in 1982
3. His "momma" had three girls and three boys
4. He last visited them in Mexico City in 1995
At one point in our conversation, he showed me a picture of a person whom he said taught him english. He then asked me if I knew any spanish.
"Barely." I replied.
I then launched into the only spanish I knew.. his response to each time I spoke something in spanish was priceless. He had the kind of laugh that made you want to continue to make him laugh.
He would place his two small hands in his face and look down with this high pitched rough sounding laugh. It was good to see Constantino laugh. I hope he laughs often. Not sure how much he has to laugh at.
Que Pasa?
Uno Coca por favor?
Chaufer esta muy loco en mexico!
humiliense enla presenious el senor.
I then told him... that's all I got. and of course... he laughed.
He then told me about getting up every morning at three am to catch max downtown and begin picking up cans and bottles. Tino had an honored citizen max pass giving him unlimited access. Not sure how you get one of those, I thought as he proudly showed me his card.
On money, here is one of his stories about Portland...
Money, it just shows up. Comes from nowhere. Do you know the Coliseum? I was down there and these people would reach into their pockets and money would come flying out. I would go into the bushes and pick up the money. it just shows up and I get the money.
On prescription drugs...
the government... they just keep giving me free pills. I don't know why, I just get more and more and more. (he then does his laugh routine. I laugh with him. people on the train stare.)
At the end of the train ride, I shook Tino's cold, red, and very small hand. I said God bless you and keep the hope.
As the train passed me by, I looked up and saw Tino one last time. He waved goodbye to me like that of a little kid.
Sure, I didn't understand much of our conversation. But, I did understand this... people matter. We cannot and should not judge how people get to be where they are. We are all God's children and creation. Let us not just walk on by and pass up opportunities to make someone's day.
And maybe just maybe, that is why Tino sat behind me. Maybe he wanted to make my day.
Tino... well done. Mission accomplished.
Constantino was a rough looking short guy who wore a hard helmet with Tino painted on the front. He was an older man, but was probably much younger than he looked. My guess is that he was actually in his sixties. But, the years of living on the streets and such provided obvious wear and tear on his appearance.
With white curly, raggedy hair and a out of control fu manchu goatee, Tino sat in the seat behind me on the light rail.
I had briefly noticed him when he got on the train. So much so, that I sent myself an email with a brief description of what I saw. You see all kinds of people on the train. So many people, so many stories.
I really don't remember how our conversation started. However, I realized very early on that with his broekn english, I was only going to understand every fifth or sixth word he said. But, it was at that thought that I realized that understanding every word he said was not the point.
It was taking the time to look him in the eye, treat him like a normal human being and that he was valued that was the point.
From our conversation, here is what I learned...
1. He is from Mexico City
2. Came to US in 1982
3. His "momma" had three girls and three boys
4. He last visited them in Mexico City in 1995
At one point in our conversation, he showed me a picture of a person whom he said taught him english. He then asked me if I knew any spanish.
"Barely." I replied.
I then launched into the only spanish I knew.. his response to each time I spoke something in spanish was priceless. He had the kind of laugh that made you want to continue to make him laugh.
He would place his two small hands in his face and look down with this high pitched rough sounding laugh. It was good to see Constantino laugh. I hope he laughs often. Not sure how much he has to laugh at.
Que Pasa?
Uno Coca por favor?
Chaufer esta muy loco en mexico!
humiliense enla presenious el senor.
I then told him... that's all I got. and of course... he laughed.
He then told me about getting up every morning at three am to catch max downtown and begin picking up cans and bottles. Tino had an honored citizen max pass giving him unlimited access. Not sure how you get one of those, I thought as he proudly showed me his card.
On money, here is one of his stories about Portland...
Money, it just shows up. Comes from nowhere. Do you know the Coliseum? I was down there and these people would reach into their pockets and money would come flying out. I would go into the bushes and pick up the money. it just shows up and I get the money.
On prescription drugs...
the government... they just keep giving me free pills. I don't know why, I just get more and more and more. (he then does his laugh routine. I laugh with him. people on the train stare.)
At the end of the train ride, I shook Tino's cold, red, and very small hand. I said God bless you and keep the hope.
As the train passed me by, I looked up and saw Tino one last time. He waved goodbye to me like that of a little kid.
Sure, I didn't understand much of our conversation. But, I did understand this... people matter. We cannot and should not judge how people get to be where they are. We are all God's children and creation. Let us not just walk on by and pass up opportunities to make someone's day.
And maybe just maybe, that is why Tino sat behind me. Maybe he wanted to make my day.
Tino... well done. Mission accomplished.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Kissed by a Store Guest!
The other day, I found myself in one of our stores. I was there brieflyto meet up with some co-workers for a meeting. I intended to be in and out. Of course, we should all know better than that. The lights, the products, the music, and the smell of the playing field known as the sales floor.... Alright, getting a little carried away I know.
So, I do what I usually like to do, I started to help guests.
As I began helping a guest find a few items, another employee came up who was looking, along with 4 other employees for a book for a guest. In the back of my head, I thought... "5 people?"
So, I did what I usually do, I asked to switch guests with her/them.
When I walked up to the guest, she was a short elderly lady who seemed like she would be the sweetest grandma. She saw a book in our store recently on a big display that she just needed to have. She wanted to paperback copies. One for her, and one for her friend she was about to meet. She had a sense of urgency about this book knowing for sure it would provide help and clarity for friend.
But, still... no one could find this book. The reason was because we had never carried the book. We never even worked with the publisher that sells the book.
So, on one ear, I had our buyer on the phone telling me just that and on the other ear and directly in front of me, I have the sweet lady telling me that for sure she saw this book on a display in our stores... right over there even as she pointed.
What would you do?
The lightbulbs began to flash in my head...
"Mam, you said you were headed to a meeting. What part of town is that meeting?" I asked her. "Gresham." she replied. "Well, i'll tell you what. We actually don't have this book in stock. However, we are looking to get some into our stock. But, I understand you need it today. So, if I could get your name, I am going to call Borders to see if they have it. Would that be ok?"
With a confused look on her face, she said that would be fine.
It turns out that Borders had two paperback copies of the book. Yes! I had them place them on hold for the guest
When I went back to the guest to inform her that I had two copies waiting for her, you would have thought I save her life. With tears welling up in her eyes, she stretched upward to place her arm around my neck and said... "Come here and let grandma give you a kiss." And that she did, right on the cheek.
I have never been kissed by a store guest before and probably never will again, but...
When she left, I asked her to come see us again. She smiled and walked out of the store. Something tells me we WILL see her again.
So, I do what I usually like to do, I started to help guests.
As I began helping a guest find a few items, another employee came up who was looking, along with 4 other employees for a book for a guest. In the back of my head, I thought... "5 people?"
So, I did what I usually do, I asked to switch guests with her/them.
When I walked up to the guest, she was a short elderly lady who seemed like she would be the sweetest grandma. She saw a book in our store recently on a big display that she just needed to have. She wanted to paperback copies. One for her, and one for her friend she was about to meet. She had a sense of urgency about this book knowing for sure it would provide help and clarity for friend.
But, still... no one could find this book. The reason was because we had never carried the book. We never even worked with the publisher that sells the book.
So, on one ear, I had our buyer on the phone telling me just that and on the other ear and directly in front of me, I have the sweet lady telling me that for sure she saw this book on a display in our stores... right over there even as she pointed.
What would you do?
The lightbulbs began to flash in my head...
"Mam, you said you were headed to a meeting. What part of town is that meeting?" I asked her. "Gresham." she replied. "Well, i'll tell you what. We actually don't have this book in stock. However, we are looking to get some into our stock. But, I understand you need it today. So, if I could get your name, I am going to call Borders to see if they have it. Would that be ok?"
With a confused look on her face, she said that would be fine.
It turns out that Borders had two paperback copies of the book. Yes! I had them place them on hold for the guest
When I went back to the guest to inform her that I had two copies waiting for her, you would have thought I save her life. With tears welling up in her eyes, she stretched upward to place her arm around my neck and said... "Come here and let grandma give you a kiss." And that she did, right on the cheek.
I have never been kissed by a store guest before and probably never will again, but...
When she left, I asked her to come see us again. She smiled and walked out of the store. Something tells me we WILL see her again.
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