6 Management Lessons From The Duck Store’s Jim Williams

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Jim Williams, the soon-to-retire manager of Oregon’s The Duck Store to discuss what he has learned about management during his 36-year relationship with The Duck Store. Although The Duck Store, like all college stores, sits at the evolutionary vortex of retail, education and content, Williams doesn’t believe the future of college stores or retail will be driven by technology, but by service.

Williams is only third manager to nurture The Duck Store over its 92-year history. At $42-million in revenue and a staff that varies seasonally between 300 and 350 people, The Duck Store is not a minor operation. And in all of its locations, the mantra of Ducks serving Ducks is reinforced by practices built on respect, leadership and empowerment. Here are six lessons that embody those traits.

Read the entire post at Fast Company.

6 Management Lessons From The Duck Store’s Jim Williams