Trust, Transparency, and Le Creuset End of Line Deals
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
It was our yearly company meeting on Wednesday night this week, when everyone from Accounts, Warehouse, Website, Cobham and Reigate come together and despite being six people down (David, Stuart, Shaun, Jacob, Cameron and Piers who all had understandable reasons for not being with us) went off extremely well. This is when I get up and sum up how we’ve done in the last year, both as teams of people working in three locations, and also what the financial results are like. Its also an opportunity for others in the company, who have specific responsibilities, such as the shops, website development etc to tell everyone what they are doing and what impact it’s having.
And as is usual on such occasions, afterwards we tucked into Jeanne’s Onion and Leak Quiche and salad followed by Jeannes’ Pear and Frangipan Tart. This was variously washed down with water, coke (ugh), beers, white wine in the forms of Riesling and Chenin Blanc and red from St. Emilion, which as I’m sure you know is firstly, my favourite wine (hint) and is secondly, from Bordeaux Right Bank*.
Ok, enough frivolity. One of my beliefs that I have, is the importance of being open or transparent in our dealing with each other, with our customers and with our suppliers (see our company values). And so, if things are tough in the business, then I let everyone know. So, on Wednesday night, it fell to me to tell everyone that we had made a moderate loss again this year, and that as this was the second year running, we really needed to turn this trend around. In the current difficult trading conditions**, we are being pretty cautious in our budgeting (this year coming, looking for nothing more than a break even result). This might mean for instance that by so doing, we can’t afford a pay increase this year but, having started to pay at ‘The Real Living Wage’ standard a couple of years ago, I want to be able to maintain this, if at all possible. It may also make introducing new initiatives, even harder.
Whilst on the subject of transparency, I feel it’s important that everyone in the company understands where the three million we took last year, went. So, I started by telling everyone what I earned last year, and then I went through all the big overheads that somehow magically absorbed all our gross profit. And, I do this because I believe that people who work in a company where they can see sales and margin daily, weekly, monthly and by year, against target, are well informed. And well informed people know where they stand. And, over time, well informed people will have high(er) levels of trust, feeling valued and safe in their roles. It’s not surprising that people in these circumstances are a lot more effective than those who live in fear of the unknown and maybe even for their jobs. Is this altruism? Maybe, or maybe not. But the reality is, that it is just good business sense. It is quite well documented that happy people are more productive than unhappy people.
* In fact, I’m also partial to Medoc, which I’m sure you also know is Left Bank. But, in practice I’m quite indiscriminate because any red hailing from the area that starts with B and ends in X , then I’m your man….. or should that be a “Bordeaux Tarte”?
** In the run up to Christmas last year website sales nationally, dropped 3 or 4% which is the first time since Online trading started
Le Creuset Cast Iron Grill Pan 25cm
I’ve a couple of Le Creuset lines here which are end of lines. Firstly, a one off that they introduced a year or so ago. It’s their 25cm Grill Pan. We’ve got stock in Meringue and Volcanic. The full price of the offer was £87.00 although I noticed on Le Creuset’s own website they appear to be at £105.00. You can get your hands on one of these for only £59.00 this weekend using code LCGRILL1124.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Sauteuse 24cm
Secondly is the Le Creuset 24cm Sauteuse. Which could also justifiably be called a small shallow casserole. This is another offer where we have residual stock that I want to move on. We have varying smallish quantities in five colours. The current offer price is down from £167.00 to around £127.00, (although on Le Creuset’s own website they are now back up to £240.00!)
For this weekend you can lay your hands on one of these for £109.00 this weekend using code LCSAUT1124. ….a lot of Le Creuset for the money!
I’m now in danger of sounding like a salesman or a barrow boy even, neither of which there’s a hope in hell of me ever becoming. But on this closing note, I must say that I have always rather envied the charm and confidence of an architypal East Ender behind his stall selling his wares. I think it’ll just have to remain something in life that I wont be achieving …….
I trust you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend
Warm regards
Andrew
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
Hello Eleanor
As I’ve just sent you a reply to your post by email, I’ll not repeat myself here other than to thank you very much for kind your comments.
Warm regards
Andrew
Whoever made this must be a patient saint. Sounds super delicious and I love the recipe writing, thoughtful and transparent as with everything!😊😊😊😊
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