Associates Week 2024 proves that Sam’s Club associates are playing to win!
As Sam’s Club associates began filling the seats at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the vibes were more dance party than business meeting thanks to Sam’s Club Radio DJ Chris. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!
The energy was dialed up to an 11 when Nathan Dill took the stage with his violin. But in a moment, his powerful performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” brought a hush over the crowd.
“It’s always great to hear you play, Nate,” said Sam’s Club COO Lance de la Rosa when he took the stage. But this, he added, was just a preview, as Nate is one of 13 Walmart Associate Talent Search winners who will be performing at Friday’s Associate Celebration.
And when we think about winners, we know what that means to Sam’s Club associates: consistently delivering for members, treating them like special guests, innovating, taking risks and working together to make a difference.
Striving for excellence
After freestyle rapper Harry Mack spit rhymes using buzzwords from associates, Sam’s Club CEO Chris Nicholas brought everyone to their feet with his own freestyle efforts. “I think maybe I’ll stick to my day job,” Chris laughed.
“Weeks like this really show the magic of our business,” Chris shared. The magic he was referring to? “It’s all of you.”
It’s associates like:
- Kyle Bol at Club 4770 in Evans, Colorado, who makes members shopping the Sam’s Club meat department feel like it’s their local meat market
- Juan Trujillo at Club 8241 in Midwest City, Oklahoma, who celebrated 40 years not just at Sam’s Club, but at the very first Sam’s Club this year
- Linda Gill Brewer of Club 6663 in Saginaw, Michigan, who brings forward great ideas every single day
“Be generous with your ideas,” Chris advised. “Every single idea benefits 600 clubs, 30 million members, a hundred thousand associates. So keep telling us what we can do to help you and our members live better.”
When Sam’s Club is at its best, Chris added, “we bring joy to people’s lives. We bring hope. We create a place of opportunity for all.”
Bringing back the basics
The plan for winning in 2024 is all about executing the basics and focusing on three objectives:
Helping our members engage with us digitally, through shopping online, using Scan & Go, and providing a frictionless experience when exiting the club.
Using our unique member insights and feedback to create personalized interactions and experiences that drive even more value for our members.
And offering exceptional, curated items — with Member’s Mark setting the highest bar for quality and value.
Chief Merchant Megan Crozier offered the audience a sneak peek at exciting new Member’s Mark items that haven’t yet hit the shelves.
“You know, it’s our job as merchants to fall in love with our items. And we do,” Megan reminded associates. “But if we only loved our items, we wouldn’t have a business. It’s [thanks to] you, who serve our members every day and help members find their next favorite item.”
Better today than yesterday
Lance returned to the stage to offer an important reminder: Perfection isn’t the goal. “It’s progress.”
“Find a way to do something even just 1% better,” Lance said. “It’s that one thing we can do better today than we did yesterday, the one thing we can do better tomorrow than we did today.”
And, he added, it’s about the multiplier effect that occurs when we all work to be 1% better together.
Turning challenges into victories
Super Bowl Champ and MVP Drew Brees knows a thing or two about playing to win and giving that extra 1%.
Drew joined Chief Growth Officer Diana Marshall on the stage to share lessons learned throughout his career. One key takeaway from Drew? “The most defining things in my life were the result of not getting what I wanted.”
He also discussed his experience with the New Orleans Saints in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how The Saints’ connection with the community made their wins even more meaningful.
And with that, the crowd left inspired, ready to work together, play to win, and create a truly differentiated experience for members.
There’s more Associates Week excitement on the way, so follow along all week on Workplace, Walmart World social accounts and don’t forget to follow our event hashtag, #WMT2024.
Read more about all things Associates Week right here and check out the full meeting below. Due to licensing agreements, all celebrity appearances have been removed.
