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Francesca Mitchell

Francesca Mitchell, Sales Manager at Liberty, shares a minute of her time...

1. Francesca, can you give us a brief introduction to Liberty?

I think most people know our history and if they don’t it makes for great reading on our new web site (www.liberty.co.uk). Liberty is a great place to work (most of the time…!) Especially because of the people we employ, the products that we sell and the building itself. We offer so much more than other retail environments that people are so delighted when they first visit us, they can spend hours just wandering around taking it all in.

2. What was your first job ever?

Working for my parents in our family restaurant.

3. Do you have a passion for fashion?

I would say so, although I’m definitely more of a Bags and Shoes gal!

4. What advice would you give to people aspiring to work in Retail?

It’s really hard work, and when you’re starting out be prepared to stand on your feet all day and not be afraid to get stuck into anything you’re given to do. That said, however, if you do want to progress, tell people, take on projects or just put forward ideas. You’ll always be recognised for thinking ‘out of the box’.

5. What are the key characteristics that you look for in the people coming to work at Liberty?

A good knowledge of the business and what we are about. An ability to talk confidently to people even if they don’t have the right answer. And above all energy and drive to make the business succeed.

6. Could you share some of your life lessons with us?

Try not to be too impatient, I’ve been frustrated so many times… if I’d just waited, most situations would have worked out better for me! Also, be aware of how you behave around people that don’t know you that well, you might (and I often have) say something that they won’t get or find funny…

7. What are you reading at the moment?

Some trashy chick lit by Fiona Walker, she’s nearly as good as Jilly Cooper was in her day…

8. What is the importance you place on training and development?

I believe that if there is no training structure there is no succession. If you don’t develop your people to exceed their potential, there is no one to take your place or allow you to move up. I also think it’s an easy motivator, if you train and give people confidence they can deliver the required results.

9. What is your philosophy on leadership/ recipe for success?

Lead by example, I would never ask someone to do something I wouldn’t or haven’t done myself. I also think I listen to people, try to resolve issues and involve them as much as possible within the business.

And last but not least… 10. How have you found using the talenttoolbox appraisal system?

Very useful, it’s been a good tool to discover things about my team that I didn’t know before.

11 July 2007