Magnus Marketing Blog

When people write about the influence of corporate culture and the impact it can have, one should look no further than my microcosm of the business world - Kohl's. Recently we had a management change and if anything can be so opposite - this is definitely it.

In addition to recently having an experience that I still have to call corporate about - I was unfairly singled out for a alleged "performance issue" based on the backstabbing bitching of a single colleague. After 9 years of steady and positively appraised performance, gee - what changed in less than six months? The management is imposing policies and expectations without communicating, creating an opposing culture of punishment versus reward. My capabilities were once highly valued as was other aspects of the tenure and knowledge, customer focus, and attention to detail. Now, that is not.

It amazes me how with a management change at the top, in a mere matter of months, an organization can go from being a great fit based on values and standards to something so opposite! It also reinforces the "if it ain't broke" don't fix it - a great team can create great stuff. Even the long term customers, the ones who spend a lot of money with us have noticed the blanket of autonomaton and unhappiness over the staff. It is that palatable - except to the managers.

I will no longer be writing about the Kohls store I work at, if you have nothing good to say - better not to say it. If anyone needs a night/weekend sales clerk who can do everything under the sun on the floor in retail - contact me. :)