This article is provided by BRC Retail Member, Domino's.

__________________________​

What I love most about working in a business like Domino’s is the people. Our colleagues come from an extraordinary range of backgrounds but what they all have in common is their commitment to Domino’s and to our customers.

Something retail and hospitality businesses are especially good at is helping people develop and grow within the organisation. Unlike in most other fields, it’s not all about qualifications – it’s about the person, and their determination to get on.

People come to work for Domino’s and our franchise partners for all sorts of reasons, and the flexibility we are able to offer – while still providing the benefits of employment like holiday and sick pay – can be very attractive. They can be students looking to support themselves through their studies, parents looking to return to work by doing a few hours in the evening, or people newly in the UK looking to make their way here. Often their stories are quite humbling.

For some people, their Domino’s journey begins and ends as a driver or working in the kitchen, and that’s fine. But for those who want more, the sky is the limit. In fact, 90% of our store managers started as a delivery driver or pizza maker, and some have even gone on to become franchise owners themselves. The entrepreneurial spirit across the brand means that everyone has a chance to succeed.

That’s why we launched our Domino’s Home Grown Heroes programme, designed to help colleagues running stores make the step to having their own business. Take Lucy Harman, who started at Domino’s in her hometown with a part time job at 16, and now at 32 is Domino’s newest franchisee – and first woman Home Grown Hero – with a store of her own in Hayling Island, Hampshire.

It’s all about having a culture where everyone feels able to succeed. We find people who have worked their way up through the business have a real sense of the DNA of the organisation, what makes our business and brand unique. They have learnt valuable skills in stores that have supported their development, including leading and motivating teams, delivering world class customer service and dedication to operational excellence.

That’s not something that you can learn at any university. And while of course I think Domino’s is special, this is something retail and hospitality businesses are particularly good at across the board. At a time when there is a lot of debate about the value of a degree, especially when people are emerging from university with a lot of debt, maybe it’s time for us to shout a bit louder about the role of our industry as a powerful engine of social mobility and creator of opportunity.