I would say this post is all about good health and serious enhancement of existence. Wegmans Grocery Chain (2005 Fortune Magazine #1 company to work for - top 100 ten years running) released moving news today that they are going to STOP ALL Tobacco Sales. That is cigarettes and other tobacco products. I am a fan of remaining on the edge of what's going on in business, fashion, even food and wine and this really put me on my feet. I cheer this move and see wise and bold leadership Intelligence from the Wegman family and their leadership team.
Much of everyone's movement today as it should be is "going green." It is everywhere you look. Nearly all businesses are thinking how to become more green. For example, Clorox just purchased Burt's Bees skincare products for $913 Million as part of their efforts to become better positioned from an environmental sustainment viewpoint. While many of my posts have not been on "going green"...that is not due to lack of agreement. I agree wholeheartedly. You know that my purpose is to enhance our existence and improve the environments of your organization. Going green and this radical move by Wegmans does just that and more.
Danny and Colleen Wegman are SHOWING that they care and they are bold enough to address an issue that is controversial yet life improving in every sense of the word. The press release quotes them saying, "We have come to this decision after thinking about the role smoking plays in people's health.....We certainly respect a person's right to smoke, but we believe there are few of us who would introduce our children to smoking." Read the article here.
Marcus Buckingham defines Leadership as "rallying people to a better future." Sometimes decisions you make as a leader might not fluff everybody's warm and fuzzy right off the bat, but does the purpose of your decision focus on a better future? I am inspired by this decision and the future focus it holds. Wegmans has likely started something here that is going to get a lot of attention. Positive and Negative. I obviously stand on the Positive side of the field with them and encourage others to start thinking as big as they do.
A comment to the article (link above) reads this way:
"Great decision. They have really put health over profit. I think it will increase their business because it says a lot about the character of their business."
May the business of Wegmans breathe better - the Leadership Oxygen appears to be of high quality!
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