5 months ago
Let me preface by stating that I have yet to experience anything less than stellar service from any of the staff at the Algonac O'Reillys location. I've always been greeted with a smile and have enjoyed prompt, courteous service whenever there. Even if I moved out of the area I would still make that location my home as it's worth the drive for that kind of amazing service.
That said, there's been a dynamic, palpable shift in the overall atmosphere and appearance of the store, and not in a good way. The store manager, Keith has always kept a very tidy shop and allowed for the recognition of those under his stewardship to be displayed with pride along the back wall, a testament to his leadership as there were many plaques of note. But was most noticeable was the lack of the American, and flags of recgnitionthat were once so proudly displayed on the walls insid. This is a change I find most disturbing, almost un-American.I, as well as others, view this as a destination of sorts, if only a warm comfortable place to shoot the breeze and feel welcomed, picking up a trinket or two while there. The overall appearance of the store, while still clean, is now very barren and antiseptic, bereft of all of the little touches that made it feel inviting and alive.
This, dare I say, negative change appears to have come about upon the arrival of rumored new district manager. While I've been told by staff that there's been a change in the district manager position, acquaintances tell me it's someone by the name of Tony.
Now, having been in my field of repair for nearly 40 years I can, by first hand account give witness to the effect, positive or negative that one individual can have in any endeavor. I've witnessed small shops become major players in the industry as well profitable corporations hamstrung and crippled by poor allocation of personnel. Oftentimes, the lack of understanding the human element required at the face to face level and relying solely on beancounters and the bottom line is a sure way to turn a once profitable store into the outcome education based equivalent of any of the mediocre locations the good stores out earn by quite a margin. The human element has far more value than anything that can come from a book. That human element at the Algonac location in my personal opinion has been ostracized (no personal recognition), sanitized, and is in danger of being lost completely, all by the addition of a single individual, a detrimental element that by their actions, has shownzero regard to recognize said human element, that precious commodity which makes a store truly stand apart from the others.
WW2 in the pacific was won because we brought those most proficient at their skills home to teach the next generation what worked and what didn't in order to make them even more successful as a whole. This principle is often overlooked in the corporate arena as profitability is always the goal, not realizing that if they only borrowed one lesson from history, that even greater windfalls could be realized. Corporate would do very well to bring in the top 50 most profitable store managers (not district nor regional) regardless of location and find the top 20+ commonalities as to what makes them superior in volume and earnings to the other locations and incorporate those lessons company wide. As corporate leadership, your ability to set collective egos aside and heed the advice of those golden few, could net exponential results in short order.
Five stars for the stellar store manager(s) and crew.
One star for the changes made recently as well as the soda machine in the really odd location taking up valuable space. I've never bought a pop at an auto parts store and probably never will. All I know is I lost the spot to put my old batteries and cores which I'd much rather have back.