Why couldn't a current (or former) retail front-ender write a book?

[mjr]

I mean, about retail itself.

Think about it: Current (and former) service-industry workers know what's really going on.

We know what customers complain about. We know when most customers are lying. We know that certain policies don't work (i.e. bend over backward to keep a bad customer), and so forth.

I think the main reason is that most in middle to upper management positions wouldn't listen anyway.

Though that's one of the beautiful things about the book "The Dilbert Principle". It's sort of based on the antithesis of The Peter Principle.

The Dilbert Principle basically made fun of bosses and the "corporate" arena (absurd decisions, etc.).

The "retail" book doesn't even have to be funny. It could be serious with a few amusing anecdotes mixed in.

What do you think? Why hasn't there been a good retail book that addresses management?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I think the problem may be getting said book published.

[lordlundar]

*Cough*

Ahem, sorry, a little mucus in my throat.

[mjr]

I think the problem may be getting said book published.

Yeah, but I suppose if the book were well-written enough it could (in theory) get picked up by a publisher.

Anyway, "vanity" printing is always a way to go...but that wouldn't reach as much of an audience.

[XCashier]

*Cough*

His comic strip "Retail," on which the book is based, is syndicated by King Features and featured in 20 newspapers nationwide.

Only twenty newspapers?! This is why the word doesn't get out! Nobody is willing to hear it!

[mjr]

*Cough*

Ahem, sorry, a little mucus in my throat.

That's not quite what I had in mind.

It's more of a "from retail to management" book idea.

More the vein of "Hey, management...here's what's wrong from our perspective, and what you can do to fix it..."

[Crai]

Though Nobel as your thought is do you REALLY thing Manglment would read or understand it? I am all for the idea but sadly i think only those who have been there would understand the truth behind it.

Its like the site, not always right, At first its funny then after a few pages you start to dread the exchange till you hit the 100th one and you weep because you know its no longer humor its reality. Management would read all of it and think its humor and satire never seeing the truth in it.

If you do decide to write one let us know Id love to read it or help proof it for you. Nothing iv said above should be interpreted as lack of support in this endeavor. Cheers!!

[mjr]

Though Nobel as your thought is do you REALLY thing Manglment would read or understand it?

Read it? Probably not.
Understand it? If they did read it? No.

Would they care? Probably not.

Partially because I'm not an MBA, and partially because in most cases management thinks they know better.

I've been out of the "service" industry for quite a while, though. I worked at a King of Burgers for a while, so I understand that aspect of it.

Though I do have several relatives who are still in retail. But reading sites like this one and Not Always Right have provided a certain level of insight that I think could be useful in a book.

[Seshat]

I mean, about retail itself.

No reason.

If you want it done, go ahead and do it. Or support or assist someone else in doing it.

Find out how to go about getting it published and marketed, as well.