 General ManagerKristen was promoted to Regional Vice President, Stores. "I didn't consider community involvement important right out of college, but once I became part of the Macy's, Inc. family, I realized how important it was to give back to the community and how much power one person has in making a dramatic difference."
 | Why did you join Macy's, Inc. and why have you stayed? |
I joined Macy's, Inc. because it was an opportunity to run my own business. I was offered the opportunity to run a million-dollar business, hire my own team, develop my own service standards and learn how to analyze a business and drive sales. I thought it was an excellent opportunity for me - especially coming out of college. I have stayed because I have had so much fun in my job. I have been surrounded by smart people who have invested a lot of time in teaching me, and, in return, I have been able to share what I have learned with others. Knowing that I can give the knowledge back makes me feel good about what I do and that's another big part of why I have stayed.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? |
My overall job responsibility is to have a profitable store. I do that by driving sales, service and credit. My primary responsibility is to make sure I have the best people and that they are well equipped, well trained and have the passion and motivation to drive sales, service and credit. I ensure we hire great people with great attitudes, train them and provide the best work environment for them. In turn, they produce the best results.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how do you feel you make a difference? |
I would say my greatest contribution is leadership. We are in such a changing environment, and we have to be able to react quickly with good leadership in mind. I try to make sure we are communicating, celebrating success, and working together. I make decisions, get people involved in my decisions and make sure I am a good role model for managers, sales associates, even for the president of the company. Good leadership is magic and a contribution I hope to make every day.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? |
My most memorable moment would be when I had the honor of being named "Sales Manager of the Year." It was fun and exciting. At the same time, I was also at the "Store of the Year" so there were many exciting things that happened. There have really been a lot of other great memories over the years.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? |
The training is excellent. From the time I was a manager in training I learned how to handle confrontation, how to coach people, and how to look at a business and analyze all the fine details - I had great training. As a general manager, I attended the The Leadership Institute and got a very high level of intense training. From how to have powerful conversations to how to lead in a changing environment to case studies for solutions to drive sales and service, the training has been fantastic. It has definitely led to my growth and success in the company
| Is community involvement important to you, have you been involved in any projects in your division and was this something you considered when joining the company? |
I think it is critical. I think it is something we are obligated to, we welcome and we enjoy doing as a company. Just this week, the entire company is undertaking a project to get school supplies to children who need them. The success of this program (Partners in Time) is amazing. In fact, at our team meeting this morning, we didn't start with talking about sales or service; we talked about how phenomenal our whole team did in marketing this school supply package to our customers and how many children we benefited. We focused on talking to our customers about what a great opportunity this was to give back to the community. The associates were cheering, people were jumping up and down and just so proud that we were able to earn so many supplies for so many children in the area. I think the stores and corporate really get behind the programs and truly enjoy giving to the community. I didn't consider community involvement important right out of college, but once I became part of the Macy's, Inc. family, I realized how important it was to give back to the community and how much power one person has in making a dramatic difference.
| What do you like best about your work environment? |
I love being around smart, creative and analytical people. There are so many diverse personalities in retail, and you learn so much from the people you work with. I work around wonderful products - the newest fashions and trends - and you get to see how the sales associates and customers respond to the newness. I love the changing environment and the fact that I can change what I want to do on a particular day. If I want to sit down and crunch numbers or analyze the business I can, or I can be out on the floor with the people talking about customer service or interacting with customers. I appreciate the diversity in what I can do. You are never bored in retail.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? |
I read a lot, and I love bookstores - so I spend a lot of my time looking at books. I am also a big animal lover. I spend time with my cat and helping my sister with foster parenting for dogs. I like to spend quality time with my family and work on my house. My position allows me the flexibility to enjoy these things.
| What advice would you give to a new executive joining the company? What helped you establish yourself and move ahead with your career goals? |
I would say take responsibility for your own career. Take the initiative in learning and growing and ask a lot of questions. You have to work hard, be competitive, respect your coworkers and always act with integrity. A good sense of humor and a positive attitude don't hurt either. Having a lot of great role models who had confidence in me, saw my commitment to the job and invested time in me was what helped me to establish myself. They saw my potential and pushed me to pursue opportunities all the time - and I wanted to be them.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and the department store industry? |
I think department stores are the cornerstone of the retail business. As a department store, we are getting smarter. Our strategies are solid - the best people, the best work environment, the best customer service. We walk the talk and hold to our strategies. I know the future is bright for us because we are quick to respond to the changing needs of the business. We have seen so much success, and we know how to create success. I think our private brands and future initiatives will ensure a bright future.
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