“He changed lives here” opened the Democrat and Chronicle news of Robert Wegman’s death today. Robert founded and lead Wegmans Food Markets Inc., and stayed mentally active in that work until he passed today at age 87.
Another article on the same page put it this way: “By being willing to risk it all, never wavering from his dedication to customers and employees, Robert B. Wegman turned his family's small supermarket chain into a trend-setting company known across the world. His leadership over 56 years made Wegmans one of the most admired and emulated companies in an industry known for cutthroat competitiveness and tight profit margins."
A survey once asked residents of senior home what they most regretted and the most seniors answered that they wish they’d have taken more risks. Mr. Wegman’s risks affected our food, our schools, and our faith communities.
Wegman's is continually rated one of the best places to work in the country, and leaders in the many countries I have worked spoke fondly of Robert Wegman. So did his employees, who Robert Wegman called friends and chatted with them in many of his departments daily. "Put him in front of a store and he's like a 16-year-old," his wife, Peggy, once said.
Today’s paper ended Robert’s news story with the words: “Robert Wegman was the grocer everyone knew. He wasn't a brand; he was a person. Throughout his life, he was committed to
If you were to write your final lines in a news story to describe an accomplishment you led before your name is called, what would the first line say? Write that line out to jumpstart your goal today. It will trigger ‘Intrapersonal Intelligence” that could change your legacy and give you the rewards that described Robert Wegman’s life and death. My words read, “She started a brain friendly high school where teens in the city become teens who excel in college…. "
Your turn….
Ellen, thanks for the good post!
I didn't know that Mr. Wegman had passed away. In my encouragement to others, I have used the company he started as one of the great examples of how to grow a business while caring for your employees and taking care of your customers.
Posted by: Gary Bourgeault | April 21, 2006 1:55 PM | Permalink to Comment