Maintaining Momentum
As a team, we aim to measure, quantify and specifically define success. We strive to make accomplishments tangible. While measurement is and will continue to be an incredibly important part of our business, there are elements of success that may be less visible on the surface but are just as essential to our future opportunities. One example is momentum.
Momentum is an interesting concept. It’s challenging to define momentum, especially when it comes to business, sports or even personal progress. However, we have all witnessed and felt the powerful influence momentum can have on a group. When a team has positive momentum good things almost develop a life of their own. Success breeds success. It’s a force that, once started, can overcome even the most daunting opposition.
A little over a year ago the AFS leadership team dedicated a day, without distraction, to discuss and plan for the next 3-5 years. We left that meeting with several key concepts and initiatives that will drive Associated Food Stores for the coming years. They are as follows:
- Retail growth (MRO) – New Vistas
- Retail growth (ARO) New stores, remodels
- Warehouse modernization
- Centralized production
- Personalization
- Data analytics
- Front-end experience and IT
When these initiatives were presented to the board, they were excited to hear our recommendations and told us to move forward on all of them. It is amazing to witness the team rallying around these plans. Each of us is involved in some way. Each of us is a key contributor, a vital part of maintaining and expanding our momentum.
We are on a tremendous path as a company. We have our Wildly Important Goals (WIGS) and lead measures and are meeting weekly to review them. We are working on the same ultimate objectives. We are aligned more than ever before. We have momentum! We can see it. We can feel it. We are on the right path. If we continue working together and supporting each other, we can accomplish anything.
Sincerely,
The AFS Executive Team