How did you get to where you are now?
I started working in retail straight out of high school, to earn my keep while I was at uni. During my five years at university, I worked my way up from a Christmas casual to a store manager and by the time I completed my bachelor degree in graphic design, I had decided that I loved retail and didn’t want to leave. In 2009 I was nominated for the NRA young retailer of the year award where I was spotted by Myer and approached to join the company’s Management Development Program. I have since progressed onto a sales manager role and have just recently transferred into our Queensland flagship store Brisbane City which is extremely exciting for me.
What is your biggest achievement in retail?
I have been fortunate to be a finalist for the NRA young retailer of the year award twice (in 2009 and 2011), which has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most amazingly talented and knowledgeable people in Australian retail. Both times I have returned from the awards with new perspectives and ideas of how to grow my business and challenge my team and myself.
You won the Myer 'Rising Star Award' in 2010. What was that like?
The Myer ‘Rising Star award’ is awarded annually to a graduate of the Myer Management Development Program who exemplifies Myer values and is recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ within the company. I was extremely honored to be the 2010 recipient of the award and I believe my positive attitude, dedication and customer passion were what won me the award. When you work with a company who seeks to recognise hard work and dedication you strive to work even harder for them and you feel tremendously valued.
What is the biggest challenge in retail?
One of my greatest learnings has been how to work with, motivate and manage many different people/personalities towards the achievement of one shared goal. Completing the Myer Management Development Program not only identified my strengths and areas of growth as a manager, but more importantly helped me to identify different personality types within my team and gave me the skills to harness each person’s individual strengths to reach great outcomes as a team.
What keeps you motivated?
Family. I have been very fortunate to be raised by the most incredible parents, they have always taught my brother and I the importance of working hard and loving what you do and they along with my partner are my greatest support. Spending time with them is what keeps me fresh, motivated and loving life, which translates into a positive attitude towards work each day and making them proud is what pushes me to succeed further.
What are your current responsibilities?
As a sales manager my greatest focus is to work alongside my team on the sales floor to provide exceptional customer service and to maximise sales.
What is your ultimate career goal?
Ultimately I want to continue to progress up through the ranks of retail management and I would also be interested in utilizing my graphic design background in conjunction with my future roles. Right now I am happy to work hard and see where the path leads, I am with a company I love, led by one of the most influential and inspiring retail leaders, and I look forward to a long and bright future with Myer.
What career advice can you offer?
I would advise anyone who is passionate about retail and customer service to consider retail as a rewarding and prosperous career path. I believe that as a manager in retail the key is to be very hands on with your team and to show them the power of great customer service. I believe that anyone who is truly customer focused, positive and hard working will go far in the industry because they are the qualities that will ensure a strong future for the retail industry and those in it.
Are you concerned about retail’s future?
While I respect those who question the future of retail for pushing us retailers to prove our worth, I am confident in the future of Myer and other retailers who have also used the past couple of years to re-energise their brand and ensure their foundations and infrastructure are rock solid. As a ‘gen Y’ woman who loves to shop, I know the power of being able to touch and feel merchandise and the way walking through stores and looking in their windows makes us feel especially when we receive great service. Great customer service is the key to retail’s future, it is what keeps people coming back and it is our point of difference to online shopping.
PROFILE
Name: Alexis Pead
Store: Myer, Chermside, QLD
Current position: Sales manager
Date of birth: 10/2/1987
Courses undertaken:
• Bachelor of Computer Based Art & Design/Graphic Design
• Management Development Program, Myer
• Headstart Program, University of the Sunshine Coast
• Emu Gully Senior Leadership Course
Achievements:
• Winner – QLD 2010 Myer ‘Rising Star’ Award
• National finalist for the 2010 ‘Myer Family Award’
• Finalist for the 2009 NRA Young Retailer of the Year Award
• Academic Award, Mountain Creek High School