Name: John Miller
Job title: Head of franchise
Company: One Stop Stores
What’s been your worst job interview? I was applying for an area manager role at a previous company and the interviewer asked if I would cut my hair if I was offered the job.
I was quite shocked – it wasn’t even that long! Safe to say, I didn’t take the job.
What was the first music single you bought? ‘Someone’s looking at you’ by the Boomtown Rats. It’s such a classic.
“It’s upsetting and frustrating to see stores dealing with retail crime and antisocial behaviour”
How do you describe your job to your friends? I tell them that my job isn’t a job, it’s a vocation. Its busy, stressful, exciting and very rewarding. I love the fact I’m learning every day.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy meeting and working with a variety of people, growing and supporting high-performing teams through leadership and seeing businesses succeed.
What is the least rewarding part? It’s upsetting and frustrating to see stores dealing with retail crime and antisocial behaviour, particularly independent retailers – their business is their livelihood.
What is your motto in life? ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down’ from Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping song!
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? I’m a big F1 fan, so a free F1 grid pass to the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring would be fantastic.
Do you have any phobias? My biggest phobia is being pecked by birds. When I was a child, we had a goose called Mick Jagger who had a fair nip on him.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? To see a reduction in crime and stronger sentences for shoplifters.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Definitely a fishing rod – ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’.
What animal most reflects your personality? A monkey. Monkeys are quick thinking, curious, playful and good at problem solving.
What’s your favourite film and why? I have many! But ‘Coming to America’ with Eddie Murphy is a film I really enjoy. It’s funny and relaxing and has a good ending!
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I was out on store visits with a director and unfortunately, I got Kingswinford and Kingstanding mixed up!
I was meant to be heading to Kingstanding but drove all the way to Kingswinford – both towns are at the total other ends of Birmingham. It wasn’t my best moment!
Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Arnold Schwarzenegger – a wise and great leader and has had an interesting life. I really enjoyed his book ‘Be useful, seven tools for life’.
What would your death row meal be? It would have to be a doner kebab with all the salad, topped with hot chilli sauce and a side of chips.
No comments yet