Nordstrom ‘Guilty’ of Rewarding Initiative, but Others Also Require Work ‘Off the Clock’

Shame on Nordstrom for telling its sales associates to pursue their entrepreneurial instincts and act as if they actually owned the business (“The Other Nordstrom,” Feb. 4)! Shame on Nordstrom for honoring those who thrive in such an environment by giving them the opportunity to sell more and earn more, to avail themselves of enviable merchandise discounts and to aspire to increased responsibilities thanks to a strictly enforced promote-from-within policy! And shame on Nordstrom for fostering middle management autonomy!

Guilty, I say. As fitting punishment, let’s demand that Nordstrom eliminate the title sales associate and replace it with sales clerk . This way we can all hire nothing but C-minus people and pay them uniformly for every hour worked. Besides, how else can we ensure that Nordstrom will fall into line with the rest of the herd leading us to the promised land where mediocrity forever reigns supreme?

HARRY STEVENSON

Corona del Mar

DR