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The fact that this made the news speaks volumes.
Retail is a people business, of course anyone in retail will tell you that and yet the morrisons announcement that they are investing in staff rooms subsidised coffee and free wifi makes the news, WHY?

Remembering to inspire and motivate your people sometimes gets lost in the need to control and direct people particularly in large businesses where the sheer volume of employees can be difficult to manage and apart from the hallowed few most retailers see staff as a cost base.

Morrisons are doing exactly what they should be doing by increasing wages and seeking to benefit its employees working conditions as it sends a powerful message to the workforce that it cares about its staff and they are important.

It is a timely reminder to all retailers and perhaps more so to those companies that are struggling and those with large numbers of staff that if you don't get your people behind you then you are unlikely to consistently succeed in a highly competitive market.

By comparison Asda have taken the exact opposite view which is a surprise as that company from its Archie Norman days led the way in motivating inspiring and caring about its people which paid handsome dividends in rising profits.

Without doubt the most successful retailers are the ones who look after there staff in the recognition that they are the business and without them its a rocky road ahead.

Staff are not a cost they are an investment. The CEO of morrisons understands that he has to bring about significant change to revive the business and the fact that he realises this includes his staff means that he is much more likely to deliver profitable change with his staff onside rather than have them moaning about the changes and reduction in staff benefits which is exactly what the staff in ASDA are doing right now.

Every senior retailer reading this knows that motivating inspiring and caring for there staff is good business but take a look at your business and see if you are convinced you are doing it. Nothing is more important.