You know that despite all my additional training and education, I consider myself first and foremost a chemical engineer.  Whether I am working in the medical profession, pharmaceuticals, water, finance, management, or tax- my approach is always to follow the rules of chemical engineering.  Input-Output-Accumulation+Generation.  (As you can surmise, that rule can equally apply to economics, biological systems, water treatment- even human interactions.)

And, I follow the lives and careers of many other chemical engineers.  Because many of us (most?) have found that our training makes us the perfect candidates for disciplines that seem far afield of traditional chemical engineering.  (You will find many of them discussed in my blog.  Folks like Drs. Bob Goizueta [Coca Cola CEO], Jack Welch [GE uberkind], and Andy Grove [Intel CEO].)

But, today, we’ll find out about Michelle Gass.  The first person in her family to earn a four year (Bachelor’s) degree.  She chose ChemE (Worcester Poly) because she knew that diploma was going to get her a great job.  She followed that degree up with an MBA from the University of Washington.

Ms. Gass (while still at Starbucks) was declared the Ichabod Washburn Young Alumni (for professional achievement) by Worcester; two years later, she was declared as a “Woman to Watch” by Advantage Age.  Obviously, all true.

Michelle is an alumna of Starbucks. (From that stint, she learned that culture- a strong business culture- is vital and it doesn’t get created overnight. Plus the value of innovation. Oh, yeah- you should know that she’s the one who coined “Frappuccino”!)

And, now she is the CEO of Kohl’s, the department store (of sorts) chain started by Herb Kohl (that man even served as a US Senator from Wisconsin for a bit).  And, while most say it’s only “sort of” a department store- at 49 years old, it is considered to be the largest chain with 1158 locations in 49 states.  (Sorry, Hawaii.)

The Kohl’s chain offers many of the same wares as a department store, but it’s smaller.  It might be considered more of a Walmart alternative- but it sells mainstream brands (which also means it is not primarily selling Chinese products).   A key factor in the Kohl’s strategy is that a customer can buy online, pick up in the store- or even obtain his purchase at curbside.

Moreover, ¾ of the staff is part-time- and they want that choice.  It gives them the flexibility they want and need.  Which is important- since keeping the staff happy means they will keep the customers happy.

Michelle has been at Kohl’s for nearly a decade now.  And, as CEO, she has managed to keep the stores open during the pandemic- not an easy feat.  Moreover, she cut a deal with Amazon, found a way to get bodies in the stores, who will hopefully buy something while they are there. (Pretty cute idea when you think of it.)

And, like Macy’s with their perfumes, Michelle has arranged to let Sephora (a semi-high end beauty retailer) set up mini-shops inside of Kohl’s.

All these efforts are part of the future plans for Kohl’s.  Not to mention a desire to turn the page on the disastrous results from the 2020 pandemic.  (Kohl’s has been profitable in 2021.)

Let’s see how Michelle develops plans and programs to guide Kohl’s during our slow recovery from the pandemic’s effects.

 

And, now, on a much more somber note.  4 star General, Secretary of State, National Security Administration head, and Joint Chief of Staff Colin Powell has succumbed to COVID-19.  (Twice, but not thrice, vaccinated- with an underlying cancer malady and at age 84, both of which diminish one’s immune system.)

General Powell rebuilt our troops after the morass of VietNam.  The author of the Powell Doctrine (don’t enter a war without a clear exit path) and the Pottery Barn Doctrine (you break it- you buy it).  And, an advocate for children everywhere via The America’s Promise Analysis.

Who would have been a great American President, had not his wife (Alma) and his kids implored him not to run.