Archived VML from a leadership perspective

[Penrose]

@Captainzim - that's the fundamental problem. Corporate needs to share these data. It needs to be available.

The best argument involves DATA. How do you persuade corporate to carry more of brand X, or even think that brand X is the top seller, without these data??? It's foolish that VML can somehow KNOW what to sell without data. It's not intuitive, it's quantitative.

 

[Captainzim]

@Captainzim - that's the fundamental problem. Corporate needs to share these data. It needs to be available.

The best argument involves DATA. How do you persuade corporate to carry more of brand X, or even think that brand X is the top seller, without these data??? It's foolish that VML can somehow KNOW what to sell without data. It's not intuitive, it's quantitative.

That's true. Ofcourse this is Target. The same company that overestimated the launch in canada so I wouldn't let anything surprise me nowadays.

 

[sailorcitrine]

and any interviewee they think isn't perfect is horse crap.

I can agree with this.

My store had me interview for it as the only internal (I have a BFA in fashion and they love my VM skills). I did not get it, despite them telling me they were still interviewing (but you know for sure I'm not it!?)
I've been told they didn't feel I was "quite ready for the leadership aspect of it" yet, but I think that's probably my lack of articulation about my leadership skills than my ACTUAL leadership skills.

 

[signingminion]

I can agree with this.

My store had me interview for it as the only internal (I have a BFA in fashion and they love my VM skills). I did not get it, despite them telling me they were still interviewing (but you know for sure I'm not it!?)
I've been told they didn't feel I was "quite ready for the leadership aspect of it" yet, but I think that's probably my lack of articulation about my leadership skills than my ACTUAL leadership skills.

The person who beat me out for food ave tl was turned down several times for not being able to show he could make actual decisions in the interviews. Like at all. He obviously cab, but not well, abd they know this. But if you show weakness in any step of the s.t.a.r. questions they just write you off for tl it seems. Of course even if you do well they may just skip you anyway...

 

[Penrose]

Sometimes the best leaders are those that can be molded, that have the POTENTIAL.

It's not the person who had the most experience, but the person who has the MOST potential, the most willing heart to become the best, to do what it takes to achieve the impossible.

 

[Rarejem]

Sometimes the best leaders are those that can be molded, that have the POTENTIAL.

It's not the person who had the most experience, but the person who has the MOST potential, the most willing heart to become the best, to do what it takes to achieve the impossible.

I disagree with you on this. Leaders are not molded. They guide and direct others toward a common goal. I think you're describing a very good student/trainee, but a leader is already there", not waiting or ready to "become". Not everyone is a leader...and not everyone has to be.

 

[BullseyeBabe]

s.t.a.r. questions?

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

s.t.a.r. questions?

Use The STAR Technique to Ace Your Interviews

 

[signingminion]

s.t.a.r. questions?

Those "tell me about a time" questions. They are standardized interview questions, but it means you have to nail all four parts in the tl one or they will probably skip you.

 

[BullseyeBabe]

Thank you!

 

[Penrose]

I disagree with you on this. Leaders are not molded. They guide and direct others toward a common goal. I think you're describing a very good student/trainee, but a leader is already there", not waiting or ready to "become". Not everyone is a leader...and not everyone has to be.

I stand corrected. Thank you for the clarification.

Still, I think that Target should diversify when it comes to hiring leaders. By diversity, I don't mean race. If they simply have one method or process in filtering people they wanted to be leaders, they will always get the same result. Once in a while , take chance on someone showing some promise. Recruit by intuition, gut feel - who knows how far that person can go in helping the company become the best in the industry.

 

[redeye58]

When Target used to promote from within, you had TMs who were familiar with the culture & were tested by their floor experience.
Specialists were the first step, Team leads the next. ETL candidates were usually referred by people from their own stores.
The problem (as spot saw it) was that you had leaders who were all too familiar with the chain of command & knew how to do effective push-back. Many were seen as 'too set in their ways' for fighting for their team & not putting the company ahead of TMs.
So it was decided to recruit externally to bring in 'fresh blood' untainted by an in-born culture, to have candidates that could be molded without prejudice into koolaid drinkers.
The result is a large number of ETLs without retail experience, unrealistic expectations, little to no people skills, many of whom don't last.

 

[Penrose]

Well, I agree with you @redeye58- they should really hire from within more often.

My ETL progressed from TM to TL to ETL, and he is the best (not exaggerating!). I don't even know any other ETL in the store. I don't even know how he deals with everyone constantly needing his help, and calling him in the walkie like every minute. He responds even when he is at lunch. So impressive!! He is not at all "static" or "too set in his ways". He always think about what's the best thing to do, the "how's" of managing people. He has been an ETL for I think 3 years now, but he still has the enthusiasm of someone new. I believe, he is only 25 or 26.

He is Alexander the Great of ETLs.

He can complete his goals, but at the same time, he cares about the people around him. He is compassionate, but also firm.

It's quite rare to find someone who is remarkably consistent. Excellence as a way of life.

 

[Someoneelse]

So, in your opinion, how close to "Visual Merchandising" do you think a Computer Graphics degree is?

Actually my friend got hired and she has a graphic design degree

 

[Someoneelse]

Ok so I think that everyone here has a lack of understanding what a visual merchandiser is and why target is hiring individuals with degrees. So yes the vml is a leadership position, we are somewhat parallel to the senior team leads but at the same time we have the authority to delegate task to everyone below a senior team lead also we don't have keys. Our job is to make the store visually apealing. In doing this we work with the VA's,VIA's, seasonal, mannequins...etc...etc.. we do alot of MPG, at time POGS depending on the volume of the store. I'm aware many seasoned members are unhappy that this position was created and it was not marketed to them, but keep in mind. Someone with a 4 year degree in this field contributes alot more field related knowledge then someone who only works the floor and thinks something would look pretty. You need to know color theory, principles of design, elements of design and so on. And in all honesty the pay offered for a vml w/ target is 6% below the national average for that field.

 

[redeye58]

Ok so I think that everyone here has a lack of understanding what a visual merchandiser is and why target is hiring individuals with degrees. So yes the vml is a leadership position, we are somewhat parallel to the senior team leads but at the same time we have the authority to delegate task to everyone below a senior team lead also we don't have keys. Our job is to make the store visually apealing. In doing this we work with the VA's,VIA's, seasonal, mannequins...etc...etc.. we do alot of MPG, at time POGS depending on the volume of the store. I'm aware many seasoned members are unhappy that this position was created and it was not marketed to them, but keep in mind. Someone with a 4 year degree in this field contributes alot more field related knowledge then someone who only works the floor and thinks something would look pretty. You need to know color theory, principles of design, elements of design and so on. And in all honesty the pay offered for a vml w/ target is 6% below the national average for that field.

Generalize much?
What YOU fail to understand is that many TMs have relevant degrees but - for whatever reason - corp decided to push for external hires in an effort to bring in 'fresh blood' to invigorate the brand.
They've been doing this with ETLs & the result is extreme turnover.
The position is new; what you're bringing is not.
Your 'field knowledge' is going up against Target culture & the very 'seasoned TMs' you look down on will be the ones either pulling your coiffed ass out of the fire or watching you crash & burn.
Leadership? SrTLs have ALWAYS been able to delegate tasks.
This'll be a dead end position. The problem with a 'specialized' field is that you'll be stuck there with very little opp to move up & raises are ridiculous.
You'll also be expected to deliver results even when your team has been split off to other depts (January, any one?), merch hasn't arrived, clearance hasn't moved & your leadership doesn't seem to care. They won't care about your excuses, either.
In another thread, you were ticked because your friend (with the graphic design degree) got hired at a lo-vol store for $3 more an hour than you.
Get used to that feeling of being screwed; you'll feel it a lot.

 

[Noiinteam]

^Good job red eye. When I read the post my blood boiled but I restrained myself. You said what I was thinking. I can't wait till January to see what the new Vmtls think about Target. I saw mine last week working in rtw on adjacencies. She looked like a deer in headlights. I can understand that. I have done adjacencies and it takes a bit of getting use to. Me thinks they will be singing a different tune!

 

[Doglover89]

@Someoneelse Your arrogance is an example of what I cannot stand about Target. Just because someone is an STL, ETL, SrTL, or TL doesn't give them the right to look down on TMs. Many in my store, including myself, have college degrees. But regardless, all the TMs have a knowledge of Target culture that you don't yet. You need a humility transplant.

 

[signingminion]

Where do you think the shit they taught you came from? Not a text book from God. People that worked in the field crafted a vm degree. And a degree doesn't make you more knowledgeable than someone with more years of experience than you even have of schooling.

 

[DoWork]

The day color theory applies to anything Target is the day Target is overthinking things.

 

[Coqui]

Obviously us seasoned Target TMs have no understanding of Target culture so it makes total sense to hire externals with no experience in retail but have a degree. They'll show us. Oh wait, they quit before I could finish this. Let's see you walk the walk when push comes to shove

 

[BigEyedPhish]

Ok so I think that everyone here has a lack of understanding what a visual merchandiser is and why target is hiring individuals with degrees. So yes the vml is a leadership position, we are somewhat parallel to the senior team leads but at the same time we have the authority to delegate task to everyone below a senior team lead also we don't have keys. Our job is to make the store visually apealing. In doing this we work with the VA's,VIA's, seasonal, mannequins...etc...etc.. we do alot of MPG, at time POGS depending on the volume of the store. I'm aware many seasoned members are unhappy that this position was created and it was not marketed to them, but keep in mind. Someone with a 4 year degree in this field contributes alot more field related knowledge then someone who only works the floor and thinks something would look pretty. You need to know color theory, principles of design, elements of design and so on. And in all honesty the pay offered for a vml w/ target is 6% below the national average for that field.

So we just have to wait for all the External VMLs to quit after they find jobs that pay 6% more, which you know, will be alot easier for them to find, once they can vouch that they have that much coveted "must have two years related work experience" when they apply for the jobs that pay 6% more.

 

[Captainzim]

So we just have to wait for all the External VMLs to quit after they find jobs that pay 6% more, which you know, will be alot easier for them to find, once they can vouch that they have that much coveted "must have two years related work experience" when they apply for the jobs that pay 6% more.

Don't worry they just need to wait till Walmart starts adding mannequins and boom instant 6% pay increase lol.

 

[tellmeaboutatime]

4 o

Ok so I think that everyone here has a lack of understanding what a visual merchandiser is and why target is hiring individuals with degrees. So yes the vml is a leadership position, we are somewhat parallel to the senior team leads but at the same time we have the authority to delegate task to everyone below a senior team lead also we don't have keys. Our job is to make the store visually apealing. In doing this we work with the VA's,VIA's, seasonal, mannequins...etc...etc.. we do alot of MPG, at time POGS depending on the volume of the store. I'm aware many seasoned members are unhappy that this position was created and it was not marketed to them, but keep in mind. Someone with a 4 year degree in this field contributes alot more field related knowledge then someone who only works the floor and thinks something would look pretty. You need to know color theory, principles of design, elements of design and so on. And in all honesty the pay offered for a vml w/ target is 6% below the national average for that field.

Wow this is EXACTLY why the rollout of the VML is flawed. To automatically assume the internal candidates that were interested in the position did no have a degree and/or didn't understand color theory, elements of design etc is pretty ignorant. Bring in someone whose head can't fit through a door, thats a great idea. I bet their team work will be stellar. Its going to be pretty hard to get along in a team environment with your head so high above everyone else.
Good luck.
I would be willing to bet most of these external hires won't make it to January.

 

[squirrely]

I wish these new hires would stop assuming so much. Everyone agrees this position should exist. Everyone understands why visual merchandising is important.

Nobody understands why Target is insisting on externals.

I've said it before. Someone has already been doing this job with few hours, TM's, and other resources. Without a degree. Trying their best. Get off your high horse.