"What’s the biggest challenge T&T is facing right now, and how can I contribute to overcoming it?"
— Ting Wu, Merchandiser, PF Kitchen
Tina: As you know, T&T is growing. The other day I saw that over the next 18 months, we’re going to be adding over 1000 headcount! It’s amazing, but also daunting.
Get, Grow, and Keep talent has always been a focus for us. Over the past few years, HR and Operations have built a great ‘Department Head Trainee’ (DHT) and ‘Store Manager Trainee’ (SMT) program. Employees apply to go through intensive training to take on more responsibility. It’s a great learning opportunity and a great way to grow your career.
Some people join T&T because they’re looking for a temporary job, but they may not realize that T&T is one of the fastest growing retailers in Canada, and there are lots of opportunities for career growth here. So the good news is, when it comes to talent, you can all play a part. You can refer people in your network or step up for a new opportunity yourself. Don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder – keep your eyes out for opportunities and raise your hand.
Just like these happy people in the photo. This was taken in BC where we just recognized the graduating glass of DHT and SMT. They are on their way of carving a new path for themselves and for T&T.
“What's a place you've always wanted to travel to, but haven't been able to before?”
— Dennis Ng, Business Analyst, CEO Office
Tina: I love travelling.
A part of what makes T&T so great is that we all share a passion for embracing culture through food. Travel is another great way to explore different cultures. I’m lucky to have travelled to some interesting places. One of the most impressive places I have been to is Egypt, taking the River Nile cruise. It’s a once in a lifetime experience (but I didn’t like the food). Somewhere I haven’t been to is Bali, Indonesia. I would love to go because of the beautiful scenery and serenity. And the food must be wonderful too. The Indonesians have an impeccable standard of service that I can only admire from afar.
Here’s your chance to ‘Ask Tina’
If you have a question for Tina, please email them to president@tntsupermarket.com* for Tina to answer in an upcoming newsletter! While Tina may not be able to respond to every question, we will do our best to feature as many as we can. Don’t miss out on a chance to drive the content that you want to see – send in your questions today!
*All submissions should be sent to president@tntsupermarket.com with ‘Ask Tina’ in the subject. To be included in the submissions, please include your name, title, and department.
Interview with Store Manager Kelly : The feeling of home is wonderful
Promenade Store Seafood Department William Zhang/ Store Admin Tracy Jing
Store Manager Kelly joined T&T’s US team in winter 2023, moving from the warm south to Toronto for management training. During her time at the PR store, she shared how her colleagues’ care and kindness eased the challenges of moving away from family and friends.
One day, colleagues warned Kelly there would be freezing rain, but she didn’t grasp its severity. After class, she found her entire car encased in ice. It was evening, and without an ice scraper, she was helpless. A colleague noticed her thin clothes and bare hands, urged her to wait in the car before proceeding to clear the ice for her, warming her heart on that cold winter night.
Another time, Kelly felt unsettled after underperforming on a task. The next morning, she received a call from a specialist on the West Coast, who gave advice on improvement. She was puzzled, thinking, "The West Coast is three hours behind us, how did he call so early?" Turns out, the specialist noticed her discomfort, and called to offer support and reassurance.
This kindness and care embodies T&T's "people Oriented" values, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the company's culture. Kelly deeply appreciated this sense of belonging, remarking, "It feels like home."
A winning recipe during Lunar New Year
(ER Support Centre) Merchandising Dept. Michael Hsu
Every Lunar New Year, I can especially feel the spirit of mutual assistance and collaboration within T&T's big family, as well as everyone's dedicated efforts and continuous innovation to provide customers with the best festive shopping experience.
This year has been marked by challenges like external market shifts and new store openings, but by collaborating across departments, we launched over 300 special project items for Lunar New Year sales. Notably, new products this year accounted for a third of our offerings, marking a significant achievement in our efforts.
The Grocery Department played a vital role, driving business growth by optimizing product assortments. This success was supported by dedicated efforts from various ER Support Centre departments, including order forecasting, pricing, promotions, warehouse distribution, marketing, and e-commerce advertising.
All our colleagues were united, worked hard and strived to continuously innovate. I believe when customers want to shop, the first supermarket that comes to their mind is T&T, because "it's great to have T&T".
Friendship amongst colleagues is not displayed this way
Human Resources Department
Many colleagues find that the time spent with coworkers often surpasses that spent with family. Building strong friendships and working relationships brings joy to our daily work and creates an ideal environment.
However, in certain cases, colleagues may overlook boundaries. They might view themselves as close friends and engage in habitual physical contact during conversations, like touching shoulders, arms, backs, or waists, causing discomfort or distress to the other person.
A comfortable relationship relies on clear boundaries. Crossing these boundaries can damage relationships between colleagues and may lead to workplace harassment or sexual harassment, with serious consequences. Those who overstep boundaries must take responsibility for their actions. Avoid assuming familiarity with others and refrain from repeated, unwelcome physical contact in the workplace. Such behaviour is harassment, not friendship.
Let’s courageously address improper behaviour. If a colleague makes you uncomfortable with inappropriate physical contact or verbal harassment, speak up directly to them about your boundaries. You can also report such incidents to your Department Head or HR if needed. Our company is committed to a harassment-free workplace and will take action to maintain a healthy, safe environment that respects the dignity of every employee.
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