bed bath and beyond

Everyone remembers military recruiters sitting behind a booth in their high school cafeteria, but few remember the sailors or soldiers talking about their military careers in the classrooms. 
That’s the inspiration behind a new Navy program started by Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert. His instructions were simple: he asked the Sailors working for him to take on an additional mission as they traveled around the world — tell their Navy stories to young Americans.

Greenert's goal, then and now, is for young Americans to gain a greater understanding of what it means to serve in the military and the opportunities a life in uniform can provide by hearing the stories of active-duty Sailors.

The philosophy behind the program is that many American school children simply have never heard what it is that sailors do, and what a naval career entails. It’s hoped that by hearing from successful, well-trained sailors that high schools students will think of the Navy, not just as a temporary adventure, but as a viable career.  

"This is one of the ways we in the Navy can compete with Fortune 500 companies for the best talent in the nation," said Lt. Cmdr. Henry Gourdine. "By having deckplate leaders visit schools and tell students honestly about their own experiences in the Navy, they can see someone who is just a few years removed from where they sit and know that they can achieve the same goals."

Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Fletcher believes academics are the foundation for whatever career students choose in life.

"The Navy provided me with the opportunity for education, and I tell them about the many opportunities I have had in the Navy," Fletcher said. "These students are smart; they ask very pointed questions, and they are interested in preparing now for the future."
And one of the prime ways that men and women can meet their academic goals while serving in the Navy is by taking advantage of the benefit known as Navy Tuition Assistance, or TA, as it is commonly known across the service branches.

 

Navy TA provides sailors with $4,500 a year in funds that they can use for career training. The money renews each year and sailors can use it at accredited vocational training schools, community colleges or universities.

 

This is especially important for people who are looking to make the navy a career and eventually reach the Sr. Chief Petty officer rank in the Navy. Starting in 20ll, all E-8 sailors must have an associate degree at the minimum. Sailors who wish to reach the rank of E-8 should consider using their TA funds to earn their associate degree

 

In terms of earning a bachelor’s degree, many service members consider majoring in criminal justice. A criminal justice degree is a great fit for military personnel because service members may have already experienced the kind of training that police officers are required to have.

 

Even if a Sailor chooses to spend 20 years in the Navy, a degree in criminal justice will open up the possibility of a law enforcement career when they return to civilian life.

Sean Lee

Interview conducted by Michael Marinaro. Henry Singer joined the US Coast Guard in 1964 after receiving a draft notice. He decided on the Coast Guard because he would be eligible for OCS (Officer Candidate School) in this branch of the military. He attended training in Yorktown, VA where the officer candidates trained in navigation, general ship handling, and leadership skills, in addition to physical training. After OCS, Singer was assigned to a base in Boston, MA where he was responsible for running all of the base activities, including the base PX and liquor store. After two years in Boston, he was assigned to the USCGC Evergreen which performed oceanographic work off the coast of South America. On this ship he was responsible for keeping track of the commissary. He didn't particularly like this job, and was soon transferred to the USCGC Campbell where he was the communications officer. On this ship they collected weather information and patrolled the North Atlantic. At this time he also trained to be a cryptographic officer, which he did on the Campbell as well. He was released from duty in 1967, and returned to New York, where he returned to work and obtained his graduate degree under the GI Bill.

Wal-Mart may conger up some images for you, yet one thing Wal-Mart does is to have a Greeter to make people feel welcome. Even the old K-Mart use to announces “Welcome K-Mart shoppers.”  Unfortunately, after the Greeter or the welcome message, you get lost in the sea of people and merchandise and it’s next to impossible to find someone to show you where to find what you’re looking for, because they’re too busy stocking shelves.

So always greet your customers.  If all your people are busy with other customers, someone should at least acknowledge the new entrant.  Even the post office gives you a number.  Don’t ignore them or make them feel like an intruder.  Let them know how long the wait will be and point them to a sitting area where they can peruse or sit with a bottle of water, look at a video promo or experience pleasantness.  This is a good captive advertising moment.  If your facility is big with lots to see, have a map with a numbered walking tour. 

The Market Went Down, The Market Went Up...Now What Do I Do?

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Burn this into your staff’s heads.  People are coming into your establishment for ideas and/or to buy. Both are good for your business.  The better the experience the more they will buy and buy and buy.

Lose “Can I help you?”  

It’s like asking the Pope, “Are you Catholic?”  As I said above, people come into your place of business for a reason.  Of course you can help them.  However, to do this your front-line people have to: (1) Make them comfortable; (2) Find out why they came in (their motivation); and (3) Find out what their perfect something looks like, that they are willing to spend and spend and spend on.

Now let’s wrap this up.  Make your customer have a wonderful experience in your Center.  To do this you will have to first convince yourself that it’s all about the customer.  I’m not saying to succumb to abusive people that give no energy and waste your time.  I am saying, however, if they are a motivated buyer and they have a pleasant experience, they may buy a lot more than they originally intended and they will tell their friends how great it was. 

Second, show your employees what to do.  Don’t think for one minute they should know what to do, or that you will insult their intelligence by spelling it out.  This is your Center, and it should be done your way.  They don’t know your way unless you tell them, and it’s your responsibility to tell them explicitly.  Otherwise, they won’t succeed.  You’ll get upset and the demotivating cycle will begin. 

Finally, you have to monitor and give feedback.  Look for the positives. “That part of what you did was good.”  Don’t tell what was done wrong, but rather how to do it better the next time.  “In the future, try doing this or that.”  Realize, you cannot just instruct and turn your employees loose.  Until there is recognition, reinforcement and reward, the behaviors you desire will not happen.  So, to insure success make your business establishment a pleasant experience.

And now I invite you to learn more.

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Sam Manfer