Job: District Manager, Retail (United States)

There are no such things as bad negotiations

only there are bad negotiators! Negotiate by asking for what you want. Don't be shy, put it out there! Tell them that you have to have at least a 3% salary increase each year just to keep up with inflation! Incentives don't cut it all the time! Unless they will not budge and then ask for double the incentive to allow for 50% missing.

Also, Don't buddy up with your boss ever! I regreted it because their are bad back stabbers out there that will leave you or take advantage of your hospitality!

I am a retail veteran, with many solid years of management experience, and I have noticed a particular scenario:you can't become a district manager unless you have already had that title on your resume- and even companies that say that they promote from within, don't.

I was fired for one of my bosses not liking me. This had nothing to do with my work. On several occasions I proved this "Boss" wrong, therefore making this boss look bad in front of peers. I was told that I was doing an excellent job, but the company didn't think I was the right fit for the company itself. Who in their right mind could say this? My district was in the slumps when I took it over. At time of termination my district was tied for 2nd place in the company for overall leadership, sales, turnover, and shrink. So all of you know this compnay has 84 districts. I accomplished this near impossible task in only 8 months! My advice: When running a district like I did, make improvements on your own, do not ask for permission. Even if against policy do it. All retail companies are looking to make that quick dollar. When your direct supervisor asks why your district is doing so well, just tell them that you are making some minor adjustments. This way you will not undermine their authority, and eventually you will look well in upper managements eyes.