Paul on John



I have worked at Booths for 33 years and have been manager of our store in Penwortham, near Preston, for eight years. John joined us two years ago as assistant manager and we essentially do each other's job when we are not in the store.

Initially, John and I were at different ends of the spectrum. I am a more hands-on manager and take the human approach to most situations, while John is

more hands-off and is good at dealing with systems

and policy.

Since then we have taught each other a lot and use our strengths to work together.

John has brought a lot of new initiatives to the store, such as an annual leave policy which ensures staff have to book and plan their holidays much further in advance. He also introduced competition for promotional space, where the heads of each department get together to vie for promotional positions.

He is a fanatic for tidying up and if you put something in a particular place, the likelihood of it remaining there is quite remote.



John on Paul



Although Paul runs an extremely efficient and orderly business, he is terribly untidy and when I return after being away from the office the desk that we share will probably be piled high with papers. He also has a habit of leaving paperwork under his laptop so, by the end of the week, the laptop will be balancing precariously on a stack of papers.

Despite this he is great company and extremely supportive and we are able to talk about a broad range of subjects - from our products to our competitors. He also makes a cracking cup of tea.

When I first joined the Penwortham store I did not get on very well with Paul because our styles of working were so different.

However, I would now say this is probably the best team I have worked for during my eight years at Booths. I have tended to hide behind the policy book, but working with Paul has made me look at situations with a fresh pair of eyes.

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