Ray's Home On The Web - News Letter Page

Updated May 11, 1999

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RAYMOND W. DICEY, JR. IS A MANAGER WHO HAS FUN WHILE HE IS WORKING.

Ray Dicey knows how to celebrate in style. He is the Manager of the Berlin, NH Store. At 10:42 a.m. on December 23, 1996 his store reached the $$$ mark for the first time. The crew was so busy with the Christmas rush and then with inventory that they postponed their celebration until February 8, 1997. That evening Ray rented a limousine and they all went out for dinner. It was a night to remember, and what a great reason for a special occasion!
The Berlin, NH crew also knows how to throw a party while they are working. "Ladies' Night Out" is a prime example. The employees ALL dress up in tuxedos or Christmas costumes, food is served, and there are candles on the table. The customers love this special night, and no one wants to miss it. Ray keeps a mailing list from year-to-year, and special invitations are sent. This past Christmas, Ray's 2-year-old granddaughter was even in costume, and her job was to hand out magnets. Everyone is involved.
However, Ray has not always been in the hardware business. He grew up in Troy, NH, and after graduating from college with a broadcasting degree, he found that broadcasting jobs were both hard to find and low in pay. So Ray took a job in a mill.
After marrying his wife, Casandra, they built a home in Winchester, NH. One day Ray went into the Winchester store, which was being managed at the time by Reggie Haley. Ray overheard Reggie telling someone what he was looking for in an employee.
Ray went home and all the way he was thinking "I could be that employee". The next day he went to Aubuchon's and told Reggie just what he wanted to hear....Ray was hired on the spot! It was September of 1975. Ray says, "Reggie was behind me from day one. On my first day of work we went to the Fall Regional Sales Meeting. Reggie demanded a lot from his employees, but I feel that I was very well trained. Because of that training, I demand a lot from my employees."
Ray continues, "I have the BEST employees. Bonnie Mortensen is my Assistant and she goes all out when it come to selling the Contractor Paint Program, even when her daughter was the assisant manager of Sherwin-Williams, she still never let that stop her from making a paint sale."
"When I became the Berlin, NH Manager in 1980, the store ranked 85th for volume," Ray says. "Last year we were #14 for volume (#7 in 1998). Dick Russell, Supervisor, had a big influence on getting us a new store location in 1983, and we needed it. Now our location is great, but we could use some more parking."
Ray's store is busy. The last week in May he had the highest customer count in the Company. He says that they are ahead of schedule and should hit the $$$ by October or first of November of this year. There is no longer any other hardware stores in town, and both Richs and Save-More are out of business. However, next March, Wal-Mart comes to the area. Ray feels that because of their service and fast in-out time, they will continue to fill the needs of their customers.
One of Ray's hobbies is computers. In fact he's been called a "Computer freak". If he wants to send invitations for "Contractor's Night" or " Ladies' Night Out" all he has to do is print labels from his files. Friends are always asking for his help, and he's usually there to do what he can.
Ray say's "I love this job. I enjoy working with both customers and employees. Everyday brings something different. It is great to be given education. The "PK SHOW" is the best thing ever. It not only builds product knowledge, but it also builds team spirit. I am new to the Manager's Council, but one thing that impresses me is how fast we see the implementation of our Ideas."

That was from the Newsletter. One last comment from me. All these years I've been blessed with a job that I want to go to in the morning. I'm not one of those who hate to go to work. I love my job, employees and the people. It's great to have a wonderful wife and kids to come home to at night . But I can honestly say that I love my job too.....

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