Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre, Main Street Mall, Souris, July, 2014

Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre,
Main Street Mall, Souris, July, 2014

                                     Daryl MacKenzie,
                                     Manager.

Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre is located at the Main Street Mall in Souris.
Customers entering the sparkling clean spacious store are greeting by friendly, knowledgeable
long-term employees.

The company recently expanded to include a 3-D state-of-the-art showroom which offers
customized interior and exterior designs for the global marketplace.

The store is a one-stop shop for customers in search of household products, giftware, seasonal
items, lumber and other supplies to build, renovate, or repair.

Alan MacPhee, Owner of the Main Street Mall, has owned the Main Street Home Hardware
Building Centre since 1985.

“We are a hardware and building supply store for retail customers and contractors,” says
Daryl MacKenzie, Manager.

Staff profile:
There are 25 employees working full-time, year-round. They hire summer part-time workers as
needed.

Staff titles:
   Manager
   Estimator
   House Designer
   Yard staff
   Counter staff
   Floor staff
   Cashiers
   Shipping and receiving
   Accounting
   Contractor service

Staff turnover rate:

There is little turn-over in staff. Many employees are long-term. Daryl has been employed with
the business for 24 years since graduating from Mount Allison University. One employee retired
last year after 26 years.

Some employees have been with the company for 30 years, 26 years, and 10 years.

“The success in keeping long-term employees is hiring the right people,” says Daryl.

“There is a mutual expectation between the company and the employee,” adds Alan. “By serving
that mutual expectation, we also serve our own interests.

Opportunities for advancement:

“We offer advancement opportunities when we can. One person who started in the auto parts
section is now a building supply manager.

“One employee started as a part-time cashier last summer. When our accountant retired, the part-
time cashier took over that position.”

Wages:

Employees are paid a competitive industry standard rate based on work experience.

Is there a need for bilingual staff?

There is not a need for bilingual staff. Alan and Nancy, the house designer, are bilingual and can
provide customer service in French.

In-house training provided:

“We support training,” says Daryl. “We offer continuous training to staff at every opportunity to
develop their skill set.”

Staff have the opportunity to attend seminars, safety training and product courses. Two
employees were enrolled in a retail and management college program while working part-time.

“Our staff is well-trained,” adds Alan.

Employment status:

Staff work full-time/year round except for summer seasonal hires.

Work setting:

“The building supply side is outdoors, so employees work in all types of weather conditions,”
says Daryl. “There is a lot of standing, lifting and walking involved for all the staff.”

Working conditions:

It is a fast-paced work environment.

Community involvement:

The company is very involved with the community, and some of our staff are as well,” says
Daryl.

“Globally, the company gives away $25,000 a year in donations,” adds Alan. “This store is a big
supporter and participant in The Village Feast, a fundraiser to build cookhouse projects in
Kenya.

“We support a host of local fundraisers with our donations.”

Hiring needs:

The company doesn’t have strong hiring needs, but all resumés are accepted. Daryl suggests
dropping off a resumé in person to the management.

“Some of our employees are getting to the age where they are looking at retirement,” says Daryl.
“When we are hiring, we go through the resumés on file.”

Recruitment strategy:

“When we have an open position, we use the Job Bank,” says Daryl. “It’s a little easier for us in
Souris because people tend to know when we are hiring. We hire through word-of-mouth.”

Most difficult job (s) to fill:

“Skilled jobs such as the contractor service and estimators are the most difficult to fill,” says
Daryl.

Best way to get your foot into the door:

“Show up at the door with resumé in hand and meet one of us face-to-face instead of
telephoning,” says Daryl. “As well, have a good resumé free of spelling mistakes.”

“A background and interest in the industry can be applicable to a position with us,” says Alan.

Application process:

“Management and departmental staff are responsible for screening and interviewing,” says Alan.
“They also are responsible for the hires.”

Screening process:

“It’s an intensive interview process to ensure hiring the right staff,” says Alan. “We hire specific
to the position and the skill set required, and at least two interviews if not three.”

Typical interview questions:

       List the reasons why you want to work at Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre
       Why do you feel you will be a good fit for our company?
       What are your three strengths?
       What three things you could improve about yourself?

How to stand out during the hiring process:

“We try to recognize the personality strengths and weaknesses of each person to decide how they
will fit with us,” says Alan. “We can give people the skill set, but we can’t teach attitude.

“We spend a lot of time together during the day, so it’s nice if we can get along well together,”
adds Daryl.

“The best way to stand out during the hiring process is to be yourself,” adds Alan. “It shows that
you are honest, direct and clear, and this is what we are looking for when hiring. It’s about
developing relationships, not just treating it as just a job.

“We try to identify the right position for the right person. If they are uncomfortable in the
position, they are not going to have a good work day.”

Hiring process:

The first initial contact is the resumé which is very important in determining if an interview will
be granted.

“The resumé is a roadmap of previous work experience, skills, likes, and hobbies that are
transferable to various positions within the company,” says Alan.

“The company recognizes transferable skills from previous unrelated employment that would
apply to a position within the company. For example, a person with work experience as a server
in a restaurant could work as a cashier or in a customer service role. We look at hobbies such as
gardening and crafts as transferable skills as well.”

Terms of employment:

There is a three-month probation period.

While working for the company what are the keys to successful employment?

       In retail you have to be very versatile.
       Just because you have a job title doesn’t mean you don’t unload trucks or empty garbage
       cans.
       Don’t say, “it’s not my job.”

Future business plans:

“We have just expanded to include a professional design showroom,” says Alan. “When
salespeople visit the new showroom, they comment on the high level of professionalism in the 3-
D home designs we offer, which is a big feature for us.”

For more information about Main Street Home Hardware Building Centre, contact

Daryl MacKenzie, Manager, at 687-3332.