Larry Bruce This is Me

Education

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1. 1. Columnist

   www.beverlyhills213.com/_issue - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/2/2006   Last Visited: 12/20/2007

   Larry Bruce does. ìI feel I worked my whole career to get a position like this,î he says. ìI feel very privileged.î In a city world-renowned for its fashion retailers, Bruce manages one of the most luxurious, successful, and biggestótwo multi-level buildings 300 employees strongóretailers in Beverly Hills. He is the new vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue on Wilshire Boulevard.Ý
   
   ÝÝThe fact that Bruce leads the largest Saks Fifth Avenue store outside New York City isnít surprising considering that heís been in the fashion business since he was a teenager. ìI started working at a small mom-and-pop shop out of high school,î he says of his beginnings at a sporting goods/fashion store in Northridge. ìHonestly, at first, it was just a job. Thatís how I looked at it.î However, what began as just a job evolved into an understanding of inner strengths and a great feeling of satisfaction. He had an eye for fashion and a unique ability to connect with customers. By the time he graduated college with a degree in marketing, he was the head buyer and manager of the 10,000 square-foot store, overseeing 15 other workers. Yet, even though he was happy with his success, he wasnít content with it. ÝÝ
   ...
   ÝÝIntent on achieving that goal, Bruce entered the management training program at Bullocks. He did so well that he became a store manager in five years, and is credited with leading that department store through difficult times, such as the Northridge earthquake aftermath in 1994. ìHow do you get the store open quickly to service the needs of the community?î Bruce recalls of the questions he faced after the quake. ìHow do you lead a store in such a manner that makes everyone feel comfortable after a catastrophe like that?îÝ
   
   ÝÝSince working at Bullocks, Bruceís career in retail has taken him all over our country.
   ...
   ÝÝLike the aforementioned associate, going over and beyond the call of duty is something Bruce is more than familiar with. Not too long ago he was confronted with an emergency situation: A customer was throwing a very important Thanksgiving feast and had purchased a very large china order. The shipping order had to be rushed because Thanksgiving was quickly approaching, but when the order finally arrived at the customerís home, there was one big problemóthe courier Ýforgot to bring the actual platter the turkey was going to be served on. Realizing his customerís plight, Bruce personally delivered the platter all the way down to San Diego.
   
   ÝÝWhereas Bruce still enjoys building relationships with customers, his job as general manager also entails running the store, and just as important, maintaining a strong relationship with the community. Needless to say, heís very busy. He arrives at work every day hours before the store opens, around 7:30 in the morning. He looks at the numbers, makes some calls to New York, and checks his e-mail. Then, for the next two hours heíll walk the floor and connect with associates and department managers to make sure the store looks pristine for business. The rest of his day usually consists of meeting with customers, vendors, buyers, merchants, the marketing department, or dealing with any issues that concern the storeís current renovation. Some shops are being added to the designer area, the cafÈ on the fifth floor is being touched up, and part of the main flooróparticularly the shoe, handbag, and jewelry areasóare being re-done.
   
   ÝÝItís only by the time 6 p.m. roles around that Bruce re-grasps the difficult part of his jobóthere is never enough time. The store closes.

2. 2. Publish America - Publishing Writers' and Authors' Manuscripts

   www.publishamerica.com/Press/c - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/19/2006   Last Visited: 1/1/2008

   Proud hubby Clayton Cooke led the Houston contingent that included Virginia and Dr. Neal Reisman, Jan Carson and Tim Connolly, Linda Lyons Brown, Roy Marsh, Ellie Francisco, Cathy Cagle, Jackie Reeves and Larry Bruce, the popular Saks Fifth Avenue GM who was recently transferred to Beverly Hills.

3. 3. We Are Committed To Quality And Value

   www.worldkitchens.net/World%20 - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/23/2004   Last Visited: 12/9/2005

   Larry Bruce President