Archived VM TL

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BigEyedPhish said:
I have learned to Ninja Macgyver my way through a Steritech visit... Starting at the meat cooler anything wrong I through it into the right place without pulling, Anything questionable is thrown into a shopping cart and into a Fitting room doors (jk), but I have hid carts from him before. Particularly if I hadn't opened and walked right into a trap.
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One year we had an overflowing turkey bunker so we had a market TM with a plastic-lined cart FULL of birds staying two aisles ahead of Steritech.
 
Bryantpp said:
ok, thanks.
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I don't really think running away from a forum is necessary, but if it is going to stress you out then it might be best. The internet is not a friendly place for criticism after all. Personally, if you can't handle the fire from a few people on a forum, you might have issues handling conflict in your store (which has been open about hostility for the hiring process of VMLs). At least on here you can take time to respond, apologize if there is a mistake or misunderstanding, get insight of what might be happening outside of the 'supervisor bubble' and move on. Just think a little bit more before responding. It can at least be a good place to practice how you portray or 'come off' with others. Having this happen online is much more preferable than having it happen while at work...at least it is for me! :D
 
skyclad said:
I don't think this is very thoughtful response. I don't think it is about eliminating positions, it is about enhancing others. As I said earlier, many SL/TM/Departments have been stretched thin with workloads. It is definitely an investment as it would be with any full-time position, but it is dependent on the many members who make up the non-leader roles. The goal is to have VML's specialize in an area that not only contributes the most sales, but also has the highest profit margin. Having VML's train, follow-up and respond in commercial ways will increase sales, which does have a trickle down effect for other areas. The role is absolutely much more than 'making things look pretty'. Our Visual Merchandising Market Leaders will be putting us to work very soon and you can bet your paycheck that it won't be about fluff, it is going to be about substance: reaction/branding/results.

In my past positions, I have always fought for attention/observation of management performance first, since it is the largest payroll sink in under-performing locations. The problem has never (in my experience) started with the part-time members. If the location isn't doing well, it is due to management. The many members of the 'smaller' positions are only as effective as they are trained, coached and motivated to be. I would rather have 4 part-time members who are trained and motivated to work, than another 40 hour payroll sink that is stretched thin from workloads and cannot finish any directives.
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I wish the Market Leaders would put us to work, it would be a dream to do some branding projects maybe store-in-store boutique concepts, re-imagining that jewelry area as a concept space. I wish...
 
Any (Good TL) Knows at Target you are only as good as your brands,
redeye58 said:
One year we had an overflowing turkey bunker so we had a market TM with a plastic-lined cart FULL of birds staying two aisles ahead of Steritech.
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I've done it myself with a Cart of Random Out-of-Date Raw Pork DPCI's, after my borderline worthless partner opened (Shout out to my Market TM's who help me hold it down despite our ball and chain). Probably one of the best Adrenaline rushes I have felt here.. It was like trying to hide from the Predator.

You VML's will never know this type of fun.
 
skyclad said:
I don't really think running away from a forum is necessary, but if it is going to stress you out then it might be best. The internet is not a friendly place for criticism after all. Personally, if you can't handle the fire from a few people on a forum, you might have issues handling conflict in your store (which has been open about hostility for the hiring process of VMLs). At least on here you can take time to respond, apologize if there is a mistake or misunderstanding, get insight of what might be happening outside of the 'supervisor bubble' and move on. Just think a little bit more before responding. It can at least be a good place to practice how you portray or 'come off' with others. Having this happen online is much more preferable than having it happen while at work...at least it is for me! :D
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I'm just wary of this being truly anonymous, you never know what might get back to who on-line and especially taken out of context that could be bad news.
 
Bryantpp said:
I'm just wary of this being truly anonymous, you never know what might get back to who on-line and especially taken out of context that could be bad news.
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The only time it stops being anonymous is if you give to many details that are very specific to your store, or if you know someone else on here. For example, I know for a fact that one member on here works at my store. We've even confirmed that we are who we thought.

As long as you don't give explicit details, then you should be fine when it comes to anonymity.
 
Bryantpp said:
I wish the Market Leaders would put us to work, it would be a dream to do some branding projects maybe store-in-store boutique concepts, re-imagining that jewelry area as a concept space. I wish...
Click to expand...
Bryantpp said:
I wish the Market Leaders would put us to work, it would be a dream to do some branding projects maybe store-in-store boutique concepts, re-imagining that jewelry area as a concept space. I wish...
Click to expand...

My DREAM Store-in-Store boutique "Wegman's in Target"
 
Bryantpp said:
I wish the Market Leaders would put us to work, it would be a dream to do some branding projects maybe store-in-store boutique concepts, re-imagining that jewelry area as a concept space. I wish...
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I can pretty much guarantee (since having each store be unique would be a logistics nightmare) that our roles will be streamlined with the VMMLs to ensure we aren't creating more work than is needed. It will be more about analyzing reports, inventory levels, having backup plans for when certain planos sell-through based on your store inventory rank, flexing adjacencies within the style guide, maintaining standards and training the team on VM standards. If this role is utilized properly, it will be like having a real merchant in the store, which is something most retailers already have. You will likely be learning more about business acumen rather than displays (which is of course part of the job, but that really doesn't take much to get done).
 
Bryantpp said:
I'm just wary of this being truly anonymous, you never know what might get back to who on-line and especially taken out of context that could be bad news.
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Smart. Probably should have thought of this earlier.
 
LadyCynide said:
The only time it stops being anonymous is if you give to many details that are very specific to your store, or if you know someone else on here. For example, I know for a fact that one member on here works at my store. We've even confirmed that we are who we thought.

As long as you don't give explicit details, then you should be fine when it comes to anonymity.
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Thanks. But when I registered my birthdate popped up on my profile page. I didn't provide that info knowingly so I'm wondering what else the site might have gathered from my contacts and personal info on my mac. weird.
 
Bryantpp said:
Thanks. But when I registered my birthdate popped up on my profile page. I didn't provide that info knowingly so I'm wondering what else the site might have gathered from my contacts and personal info on my mac. weird.
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If you use a Mac, it probably auto-filled. My iPhone does that all the time.
 
signingminion said:
Because they are literally shitting on internals like we couldn't possibly have the skills needed to do this which is bullshit.

Because most "hot" focuses one quarter get pushed to the wayside the next quarter for the new next hot thing and without hours to support the effort it becomes the next idea that tanked. But can't be left behind until they say so.

Because training your boss only highlights that they ready don't know what we thought they would.

Shall I keep going?
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last comment, I promise. Yes, training your "boss" sucks but you are training them on the way target does logistical stuff, they have skill sets and know things that you didn't think they would know in her areas once they start really working, just because they don't know what a Plan-o-whatever because they've never heard of one doesn't mean they aren't "boss material"
 
Bryantpp said:
last comment, I promise. Yes, training your "boss" sucks but you are training them on the way target does logistical stuff, they have skill sets and know things that you didn't think they would know in her areas once they start really working, just because they don't know what a Plan-o-whatever because they've never heard of one doesn't mean they aren't "boss material"
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Be friendly to your Target Logistics Teacher, it is a whole world of wild and weird Eff-ups, but u can learn tips and tricks to get past them, and even improve on the halfassedness of target logistics
 
LadyCynide said:
Hours and an adequate amount of team members at any given time, to start. Constantly, we're running the stores on 1 MAYBE 2 sales floor TMs, including softlines, and then only like 2 cashiers. It's nearly impossible to do anything under those circumstances.
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Well the new CEO has been in the position for just over a year right? I think he really wants to stick to his plans so if he does we should see improvements of some sort in these areas, not sure when though... I do have to say that I could use a team if I'm going to be a TL, would help finish up the projects much more efficiently.
 
Just a quick reality check. Target is trying to get back to what they once were, an upscale discount retailer. Everyone on this forum knows that. New leadership always has new ideas. Our new top dog has big plans. Many of us here remember the rollout of the Brand positions. They were going to spend all of their time folding tables and keeping softlines neat and tidy. I would safely say that even though the title is still active the actual position is much different now. There were also specialists that ran key areas, now gone. Then technology was pushed. We had some nifty MSAs. Pretty much a laptop to eliminate all of the paper and waste of plano. They lasted less than a year. The list goes on and on. The idea of a visual merchandising leader is intriguing. IMO Target will continue to eliminate ETL positions. They will have other positions much like the VML. What they really are is the old sales floor ETL positions at half the cost. This is simply phase one in restructuring the stores to maximize payroll starting at the executive level.Why have 3 sales floor ETLS at 60K a year when you can have 1 sales floor ETL and 2 "Specialized Leaders" at 40K? Once they have the leaders in place, their roles will change to include leading more team members. We simply can't cut anymore hourly positions from the floor. So the next place to save money is having someone do pretty much the same job as an ETL only with a new title and less pay. It would explain why the college degree angle was pushed so much.
Another reality check, winter is coming. Sure November and December hours for everyone! In January you are going to begging some of the smaller positions to help you. Because your hours and/or duties are going to be stretched to the limit. No matter what glitter they blew up your behind about your position, quarter one means no payroll. All team members are as flexible as a 14 year old gymnast. You are going to have to come down off that pedestal you have yourself perched upon and realize that this is a team. All team members play an important part in running our store. Try running a busy store without a cart attendant......
 
BigEyedPhish said:
Be friendly to your Target Logistics Teacher, it is a whole world of wild and weird Eff-ups, but u can learn tips and tricks to get past them, and even improve on the halfassedness of target logistics
Click to expand...
My trainer lapses into all those acronyms and my eyes just glaze over, I just can't follow them, it's like she keeps forgetting that I am new to the company, I hate asking her the same questions over and over again makes me feel supremely stupid and obnoxious.
 
I don't think VML will be going anywhere anytime soon, so don't worry.

I would however tread carefully, as many of your peer TL's have probably seen their hardworking friends fired/forced out in order to fit you into the budget. And if u are truely new ask questions I hate seeing stray puppies as much as the next guy.
 
tellmeaboutatime said:
Just a quick reality check. Target is trying to get back to what they once were, an upscale discount retailer. Everyone on this forum knows that. New leadership always has new ideas. Our new top dog has big plans. Many of us here remember the rollout of the Brand positions. They were going to spend all of their time folding tables and keeping softlines neat and tidy. I would safely say that even though the title is still active the actual position is much different now. There were also specialists that ran key areas, now gone. Then technology was pushed. We had some nifty MSAs. Pretty much a laptop to eliminate all of the paper and waste of plano. They lasted less than a year. The list goes on and on. The idea of a visual merchandising leader is intriguing. IMO Target will continue to eliminate ETL positions. They will have other positions much like the VML. What they really are is the old sales floor ETL positions at half the cost. This is simply phase one in restructuring the stores to maximize payroll starting at the executive level.Why have 3 sales floor ETLS at 60K a year when you can have 1 sales floor ETL and 2 "Specialized Leaders" at 40K? Once they have the leaders in place, their roles will change to include leading more team members. We simply can't cut anymore hourly positions from the floor. So the next place to save money is having someone do pretty much the same job as an ETL only with a new title and less pay. It would explain why the college degree angle was pushed so much.
Another reality check, winter is coming. Sure November and December hours for everyone! In January you are going to begging some of the smaller positions to help you. Because your hours and/or duties are going to be stretched to the limit. No matter what glitter they blew up your behind about your position, quarter one means no payroll. All team members are as flexible as a 14 year old gymnast. You are going to have to come down off that pedestal you have yourself perched upon and realize that this is a team. All team members play an important part in running our store. Try running a busy store without a cart attendant......
Click to expand...

Didn't see it that way, that's a good analysis of the situation. I had no idea ETL's made that much, my mother retired last year as a school teacher after 45 years she was making about the same amount as an ETL, that's crazy...
 
Bryantpp said:
Didn't see it that way, that's a good analysis of the situation. I had no idea ETL's made that much, my mother retired last year as a school teacher after 45 years she was making about the same amount as an ETL, that's crazy...
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When u factor in ETLs are there probably 50-70 hours a week (depending on the time of year) I'd go for Teaching for sure.
 
Bryantpp said:
My trainer lapses into all those acronyms and my eyes just glaze over, I just can't follow them, it's like she keeps forgetting that I am new to the company, I hate asking her the same questions over and over again makes me feel supremely stupid and obnoxious.
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If you have been in your position for 3 shifts or more you are not considered new to the company anymore....I hope you completed your training! ;)
 
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