When he got to the store, Derrick took his time walking the sales floor, doing his best to remain unnoticed. He wanted to see how the associates behaved in the absence of the store manager.

The first group of associates he saw were less than impressive.

Florence and Tiffany were cashiers, standing at their registers texting on their cell phones, instead of focusing on the customers waiting to make a purchase.

There was a company SOP, forbidding the use of personal cell…

Miguel Martinez was a practical man, or so he said several times, as he repeated his story to Derrick. His only flaw was failing to play by the rules.

“We value your business, Mr. Martinez,” said Derrick. But the law doesn’t give us any leeway on this. Any cash purchase over ten thousand dollars must be report to the IRS.”

Derrick was certain that Miguel had heard all of…

Now this is a way to start your day!

I'm helping a couple who say they've been shopping for a new range. After visiting three competitors they were still on the fence over which brand to purchase.

"The reviews I've read online are very negative about many brands I thought would be good for our kitchen remodel," the husband said.

I explained how I didn't take to heart online reviews because I'm familiar with the fact that competitors will create phony reviews to trash the…

On an evening like this (raining and cold), what better way than to kick back at home and reading a book?

In my latest book 'Who's Minding the Store,'  Derrick Payton, newly-promoted store manager can't find his employees on the sales floor where customers await assistance. Walking from department to department, he hears a familiar sound of passion coming from a work room closet. Find out how he handles this with you own…