Brown Paper Exercises

A thorough business review from top to bottom looking at its strengths, weaknesses, opportunties and threats is an important part of the strategic planning exercise for all retail businesses.

Pierre organises Brown Paper Exercises to engage employees in this type of review.  This includes:

1. Gathering a group of people within an organisation who can think freely about the company for which they work;
2. All ideas communicated within a group discussion are welcomed and taken into consideration without judgement.  The use of creative thinking is needed to look at the future;
3. The number of meetings depends on the group's ability to size up the situation.  No meeting will exceed 4 hours at any one time.  Information is prepared in advance and given to participants prior to the next meeting, if one is required;
4. The group will review all aspects of the business including waste management, security, cost savings, visions and strategies, work load, deficiencies, results, production, customer service, morale, productivity, dealing with change, responsibilities, training, company structure, freedom to think and contribute to the overall business goals;
5. The owner will make a final report to the group on the implementation (or not) of recommendations resulting from the Brown Paper Exercise.

This exercise may be somewhat difficult for the owner as she/he has to listen and learn rather than be the discussion leader.  Every opportunity is to be given to those attending to come forward with their ideas - good or bad.  Employees also need to feel a sense of security in sharing their ideas and making comments without fear of reprisal in the future.

On the other hand, these types of exercise produce GREAT RESULTS.  New ideas and recommendations are brought forward and the employees are given an opportunity to share their daily experiences on business operations - which provides invaluable insight to business owners.

For more information on organising a Brown Paper Exercise with your employees, please contact Pierre by email:  pierre@retailsuccess.ca