"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.
Caring for the future of our subordinates: A decade of growth and achievements at T&T
(Calgary Store) Produce Department Sam Sun
When I received T&T's 10-year service award, the store manager commented, "From starting this job as a kid to now having her own kid." This one sentence encapsulates my growth and achievements over the last decade.
T&T was my first job, serving not just as income but also as my school and home. I have three memorable moments from the past 10 years to share.
In 2013, I arrived in Calgary seeking employment amid uncertain immigration policies. Fortunately, I found a supportive employer willing to sponsor my immigration process, from offering me the job to guiding me through the sponsorship paperwork.
Additionally, I met my spouse at work. We fell in love within the company, got married, and now have two children together. This company is not just where we met; it’s a witness to our love and family.
Then in 2020, amidst the pandemic and while working part-time, I faced financial strain after having my first baby. The company offered to let me end my maternity leave early and return to work when I was ready, providing much-needed reassurance during a challenging time.
Over the past decade, my colleagues have been mentors and friends, offering both professional growth opportunities and personal support. T&T has evolved beyond a workplace to become integral to my personal development and family life.
Giving it our all so the data team can be your strong support
(Store Support Centre) Merchandising Dept. Tina Bi
Our store offers a diverse range of products, each with extensive information including product details, promotions and supplier details. To establish such a robust database is a daunting task entrusted to our data team.
Celia, Kat, Miki, Shelly, and I manage product information, set up promotions, and input supplier details. Our goal is to build a robust database that enhances procurement planning and supports our stores’ operations.
Currently, our main focus is inputting product information for our new US store. So far, we've added details from 200 suppliers and nearly 1,000 products. However, we still have over 10,000 products left to input, highlighting the substantial workload ahead.
Throughout my work, I've experienced strong mutual support and collaboration. I appreciate the IT team's technical support, the Finance Department's vendor setup, and assistance from other departments such as Marketing, Administration, and Engineering. Above all, the support and encouragement from my colleagues in the Merchandising Department have been invaluable.
We will continue to strive to be a strong pillar of support for T&T stores!
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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