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Growing your people, who then grow your business, was one of the key messages from Duncan Langston, director of Waitrose in the Channel Islands, at the last Heritage Insurance-sponsored Institute of Directors’ monthly lunch.
The presentation, the third in the 2015 theme of growth and enterprise, focused on the Waitrose and John Lewis Partnership co-ownership business model which sees all staff, known as Partners, own a share of the business. In sharing responsibility for success of the business they also have a share in the rewards, including the annual profits.
It is this unique business model as well as ensuring that Partners receive specialist training in fields that interest them, Mr Langston said, that helps encourage local talent into a retail career. The Partnership model enables the supermarket to have the energy of a start-up company but with the knowledge and experience of over 100 years of trading.
“In recent years, retail has not always been seen as a viable career choice locally however we are working with the Education Department and other training bodies to alter this view, explaining what ongoing professional development and management training opportunities there are available in the Channel Islands,” Mr Langston said.
“We focus on our Partners so that we create a positive environment for our customers who are treated guests.”
The presentation also looked at what value Waitrose can add to Guernsey through innovative product lines and local investment. Mr Langston highlighted the importance of sustaining local produce and the ongoing challenges the company faces such as the polarisation of the UK market, the pressures and opportunities available locally and how the supermarket is looking to adapt on the technology available to them for the local stores.
