Retail is a Team Sport
 

By Joe Biffar
Corporate Loss Prevention & Security Manager
Chico's FAS, Inc.


In just a few days, 80,000 fans will descend on the Meadowlands for Super Bowl XLVIII. With the big game approaching, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between football and our chosen profession. Much like the different units of a football team, we too are broken into functional groups working in tandem to support each other and the organization as a whole. Many valuable lessons from the gridiron translate well to the retail world.

Teamwork - Just as a running back would find success difficult without support from his Offensive line, a store detective won’t be as effective without the support of his sales floor colleagues acting as additional sentinels. Lasting success is not created in a vacuum; great players are a product of innate talent, dedication and a strong supporting cast. True leaders on the field may relish their success, but recognize it is their teammates who helped make it possible. We too, should recognize those that support us without whom, we would not be successful.

Sacrifice - Like a star running back pass protecting his QB, we too may be asked to sacrifice for the greater good of the team. Look for opportunities to offer support, not only to those in loss prevention, but cross functionally as well. This will make you valuable, not only as an LP player, but a holistic contributor to the organization.

Defense wins Championships - Even more than keeping points off the board, great defenses contribute through giving their offense more chances to score by forcing teams into 3 & outs. We also need to act as a good defense by reducing opportunities for shrink, thereby giving our operations partners a better chance to drive sales.

Special Teams - May only play two minutes total during a game but they can make or break you. A blocked punt or missed field goal returned for a touchdown can change the momentum, boost morale, and provide a spark to carry your team to victory. (Just ask any Auburn fan!) Similarly, you may get only a few minutes in the big game but your actions could be a game-changer. Your interview of a booster could lead to a large ORC bust; stopping an unauthorized vendor/visitor could prevent a data breach; or the training you presented to associates could better equip them to handle the next incident of workplace violence. Continue to give your best. You never know - this could be your moment to shine!

Preparation - Some say the Broncos and Seahawks are only in the Super Bowl due to luck. I agree insomuch as Roman philosopher Seneca said –“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.” Teams don’t make it to the big game by sheer luck or talent alone; rather diligent study, training and perfect practice gives them the greatest chance for success when fortune (or luck) hangs in the balance. For Championship Teams, preparation begins long before the first snap. In the same fashion, take the necessary steps to prepare yourself for when the opportunity arises to make a big impact for your team, department, or organization.

Film Review - Coaches and players spend countless hours in film review, going over their previous games, learning from their mistakes, always looking to raise the bar. They also scout their opponents looking for an edge. Retail is no different. After incidents or cases occur, we objectively review what could have been done differently, always looking to improve our game. Our opponents scout us as well; Fraudsters, Boosters and dishonest associates are watching us too, looking for areas of opportunity to exploit. Routinely set aside time for objective self-appraisal, identifying opportunities and the skills you can leverage to develop your game.

Change - Players are traded, cut, retire or rewarded with lucrative contracts. Coaches, like your leadership team, may come and go, each arriving with a new playbook for the team to learn. The rules may even change from year to year. Change in Retail is unavoidable, expected, and fuels our progress. Embrace it; whether it’s new technology, leadership or personnel changes, the ability to adapt and grow with change drives personal and organizational success.

As John Donne wrote, No Man is an Island. The same could be said for football and retail. The changing dynamic of technology, players, and rules, amidst an uncertain economic climate manifests the need to expand our network, strengthen our partnerships, step up our game, and work as a team now more than ever. Retail is a team sport, are your teams prepared to take the field?