answer the interrogatories immediately or he will start living his life

“Teams that have successfully gone through crises are even stronger and more frugal than before. Companies that have gone through a crisis are significantly more sustainable and ready to take on new, interesting challenges,” says Selver’s manager, who has overcome several crises.Photo: Liis Treimann

Kristi Lomp, Selver’s manager, points out that her biggest lesson in communication is that you have to react immediately. So if you wait a bit, the topic will start living its own life. “Be honest and say something, even if you don’t know the whole truth, say as much as you know. Don’t wait,” says Lomp.

An interview with Kristi Lomp follows.

How to communicate the changes in such a way that all parties enthusiastically get on board?

Tell the purpose of the change immediately. If you talk about the change, but do not explain why it is needed, your people will not believe in it and will not come along with you. That’s the most important thing.

I am of the opinion that there are different types of people. You can’t assume that everyone is in the same boat as you, there are always different types of skeptics. When there is a crisis situation, the chain of command has its role. If it’s a calm, stable time, drop information, get people used to the upcoming change.

Does Selver use a PR company or its own public relations managers for external communication? Or is the top executive the spokesperson? Why such a choice?

We have a combination of an office and a communications manager who coordinates spokespeople for each area. Since we place great emphasis on communication, we use the support of the office. Simpler things, such as the regularly published inner page, we do all by ourselves, more complex projects in combination with the office.

How to maintain team cooperation in the background of cluster crises?

I really like crisis in its nature. A crisis reveals a person’s true nature, talents, skills and knowledge. Crises highlight those people who can be truly trusted. I have had the good opportunity to work with people who are activated by crises. With people whose goals and objectives are even clearer in crises. Teams that have successfully weathered crises are even stronger and leaner than before. Companies that have gone through a crisis are significantly more sustainable and ready to take on new interesting challenges.

How to encourage your team to speak up in meetings, make public appearances?

It has to do with organizational culture. If the opinion is immediately criticized, then fewer opinions will be heard in the meetings. However, if a person feels that their opinion is taken into account and ideas are tried, the more they start to express their opinion in general. And from the abundance of opinions, new businesses and approaches are born. You have to be open and create an open culture.

Whose performance are you most looking forward to at the Pärnu Management Conference and why?

I will definitely come to listen to the presentation of Major Taavi Karotamm, the head of the press department of the Defense Forces’ Strategic Communication Department, on how to talk about the complex issues associated with the security situation and things that cause anxiety in people clearly, logically and without twists. In my opinion, leaders have a lot to learn from the military, there are always crises or crises are being prepared for. In today’s changing world, where there is a lot to deal with young people and little discipline, it is hard to listen to such a presentation.

In addition, the manager should definitely listen to Kristjan Port’s presentation on how to restore the body and mind after a top performance. People endure much better when they take care of their minds and health. Then we are healthy and happy. About ten years ago, when it was noticed that the Kaubamaja group was not taking the maximum number of holidays, the management made it clear that we were not allowed to work overtime. Who needs you when you are overworked and without rest? The brain activity of an overworked person slows down, and we are very careful to ensure that people do not work hours. So that people are not proud to work until eight o’clock in the evening. Overtime is still being done secretly in the home office, isn’t it? If you do eight hours of intense work, you have to follow it up with a focus on health and clearing your mind, I believe that is much more beneficial to the company than overtime.

The companies Kaubamaja and Selver belonging to the Tallinna Kaubamaja Group are the main sponsors of the 28th management conference “Confused times, clear messages”.

18.-19. The 28th Pärnu management conference “Confused times, clear messages” will be held with 450 participants on May

This year, the conference will focus on communication as a leader’s tool number 1. To mitigate the effects of unstable situations, communication is paramount, and stability is nowhere to be seen. Moreover, empathy and communication can prevent the decline of people’s working capacity.

The two main themes of the conference are communication supporting strategy and the leader as a storyteller.

Among the nearly 40 speakers at the conference, Enefit Green manager Aavo Kärmas, Madis Toomsalu, LHV manager elected as the best manager in 2022, Karin Künnapas, manager of the 500-student international programmers school code/Jõhvi, A. Le Coq manager and Jaanus Vihand, elected as the best manager in 2019, will take the stage. , writer and “Luck 13” screenwriter Andra Teede, Defense Force Major Taavi Karotamm, creative director of creative agency Utopia Leslie Laasner, defense partner and law firm Sorainen partner and barrister Karin Madisson and other well-known and beloved Estonian leaders and promoters of Estonian life.

See the plan here: www.juhtimiskonverents.ee