hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn April 2014 | Page 34

Waitrose Beaconsfield
We are very proud that
Waitrose is run by its owners.
Like entrepreneurs and like
members of small family
businesses, it means we care
deeply about how the business
performs and how it is run.
Waitrose is part of the John
Lewis Partnership and our
founder, Spedan Lewis,
developed his radical ideas
having taken over Peter
Jones from his father in 1916.
Uncomfortable with earning
so much more than his staff,
he then placed ownership of
the business in trust for those
employees in 1929. Where
some businesses lose sight
of their heritage, ours is still
very relevant. I regularly
read Spedan Lewis’ writings
and share them with my
team. For example, I would
do well to learn from what
he wrote in 1923: “It is not
working lengthily, it is working
hard that makes success
in business. That is exactly
why very successful men
commonly seem to have a
great deal of spare time.”
I take particular inspiration
from his writing on customer
service; “I am very anxious
that our shops shall make an
impression of cheerfulness
and good-fellowship... that will
make you feel like a welcome
guest”.
The Partnership’s constitution
states our ultimate purpose
is the happiness of all our
members, through our
worthwhile and satisfying
employment in a successful

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business. How relevant is this
eighty years on? Do Partners
still share the responsibilities
of ownership as well as its
rewards; profit, knowledge and
power?
Profit. Last week our annual
bonus was announced as
15% of our pay. Ever Partner
receives the same proportion
of pay and, this year, it
equates to nearly eight weeks
pay.

our long-term success. But
so do the relationships we
have with our suppliers and
the communities in which we
trade. Waitrose has a small
number of farming suppliers
that we get to know well and
who we support to develop
their businesses. We think it is
a better way of doing business
and is as relevant today as
when our founder gave his
wealth to his employees.

Knowledge. Rather than
keeping shareholders informed
about business performance,
we keep Partners updated
through weekly magazines
which include answers by
directors to Partners’ letters
and questions. In the shop we
also publish our local trading
performance so Partners know
the results of their work.
Power. Partners are
represented by their peers at
every level of the business.
The Chairman is held to
account by the Partnership
Council and, in my shop, a
forum of Partners has the job
of challenging me as well
as supporting me in how the
shop is run. We
have enjoyed
Every month each Waitrose branch
some some
has £1000 to donate to their nominated
very energetic
Charities, this is split in proportion to our
discussions!
customers wishes.
So the
When shopping at Waitrose Beaconsfield
relationships
do remember to pick up your green
we build with
token at the tills and help us to support
each other
the local Charity of your choice
and with
from this month’s
customers
nominations.
certainly
form part of

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