[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Eastern National continues work on key initiatives from our current strategic plan, senior leaders have also begun the process of evaluating and selecting the priorities that will focus our efforts in the future, while capitalizing on the extensive progress already made.
Partnerships
Last year’s formal Grow Sales Evaluation clearly showed the impact that our new brand approach had not only on sales, but also on visitor understanding of the partnership between our stores and the parks they serve. We are thus continuing and expanding our focus on brand this year, with projects ranging from enhancing the America’s National ParksTM store signage at select sites to expanding similar brand messaging to Eastern National stores that serve Forest Service sites, states parks, and other non-NPS locations.
People
During this unprecedented disruption to our normal mission-fulfillment activities, our staff is working diligently on professional development. With training programs and practices operationalized across the organization, EN has turned its strategic focus this year to succession planning. Our goal is to ensure that not only are our people prepared for the jobs they hold today but that, as a company, we are well-prepared to meet all future needs and challenges. Leaders at HQ and across the regions are conducting leadership skills assessments of both themselves and their staff that will drive future training plans, in addition to completing location-based workforce planning under the guidance of the Director of HR.
Operations
In close partnership with Erply’s technical and operational teams, we are developing integrations to ensure the new Point-of-Sale system operates seamlessly with our other platforms such as accounting, credit card devices, and shipping. We are also finalizing configurations and customizations so that the new POS fully supports EN’s business processes and retail practices. While we are still assessing the overall impact of COVID-19 on our operations, we still plan to pilot the new system at select sites in late spring/early summer, with rollout to all current POS locations beginning in July and completed by the end of the fiscal year.
Finances
Our philanthropic branch, Outer Banks Forever, celebrates its first “birthday” this April. Additionally, the Merchandise department is working closely with regional managers to discuss strategies for converting inventory into cash and growing sales as soon as normal retail operations resume.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]