I visited Dick Smith today. The shelves looked ransacked, staff weren’t un-uniformed, and the place was a mess. Looking for help, I kept seeing staff written notes around the place.
First up, I was next to the counter, and I saw a Jobs DVD. I won’t lie, I thought it’s pretty funny.
Next to that was a big HDMI box, with a sign saying “HDMI Cables – Don’t put your junk in here”. Obviously, being next to the counter, people were getting price checks only to dump it there. And staff were just printing out what they wanted. And right in front of me, actually sitting on the ground right behind the counter, was the sales assistant.
I interrupted him with an “excuse me”, to which he just said ‘yeah’, while still pottering around. I told him I was looking for screen protectors, and without even looking up, he just flailed his arms in a broad stroke – from behind the counter, while on the ground – and said “over there”. I was a little stumped, but I got the gist. These guys have totally checked out.
Walking around, I kept on finding hand written notes. Next to FitBit, there was something pretty personal… Nick Abboud is the former CEO who led Dick Smith to the position they are in, and staff we’re happy to air the dirty laundry.
From behind the counter, facing the staff but not the customers, were some real shockers…
But the real truth sat in the obvious lack of communication from Dick Smith Management to the staff. These guys just don’t know when they are finishing.
These notes were all over the place, so these feelings weren’t limited to the shop attendants, but obviously the store management. Or at least the store management didn’t care enough to take them down. It’s pretty sad really, and there’s obviously bad blood.
Having worked in places that are on the way out (I’m thinking of my former DVD retail days), it’s never nice when the reality sets in. But that said, there should be a way to make it okay. You should be able to treat customers with respect. You should still have enough consideration for those higher-up to not put some pretty personal messages around the place. But that’s where the retail staff aren’t really to blame, but Dick Smith as a whole.
Just looking in at how it’s all fallen apart, it’s no surprise that they are on the way out. Dick Smith put these people in to do a job. Sure they’ve checked out and don’t give a shit, but that lack of respect really speaks volume about who they were working for.
I worked at a Dick Smith Powerhouse about 15 years ago and this kind of thing would have never gone down then. Even though it is unprofessional, it is perhaps a little empowering for staff to be able to air their grievances without fear of being reprimanded.
I guess, and I’m not pointing the figure at the staff, either. I mean, I wouldn’t do it, but it really sums up the landscape they are in. It’s kinda like mob rule has taken over and it’s a free-for-all on saying whatever they like.