"Hourly is simply required reading for any leader or manager trying to build a better team or working to improve the performance of the team they have in their stores, trucks, warehouses, or service centers. In contrast to the nearly endless number of books focused on the 'top of the house, ' Hourly drills down to the front lines and the back rooms that power the enterprise and form the foundation of nearly every successful business.
While working at home during the pandemic, my son asked me after a few months why I spent so much time talking about, worrying about, and trying to retain and develop our 600 drivers who were still on the road every day. I replied that without our hourly workers still putting it on the line in our stores, and our drivers out delivering our products to customers, we wouldn't have a business. But I also realized that even to a middle school kid, our hourly workforce seemed invisible.
AJ brings this often-invisible workforce into highly visible focus. Loaded with real-life examples and actionable insights, Hourly can help us all recruit, retain, and develop those team members who ring the register and take care of customers every hour of every day."
DOUG HAUGH
Chief Commercial Officer, Vertex Energy
"How can such an essential and massive workforce, who form the backbone of the US economy, be so misunderstood and invisible? Yet it is. AJ Richichi shares why, how it can change for the better, and how his solutions can lift the veil on this critical employee base. All companies with an hourly workforce owe AJ a huge thanks for the insights contained in Hourly."
LAURA VARN
Vice President, People & Culture and Communications, Parkland
"Hourly is THE Manifesto for leading, inspiring, and retaining your hourly workforce!"
BEN FANNING
Host of Lead the Team (Top 2% Globally Ranked Podcast)
"AJ Richichi's Hourly is a 'must-read' book for anyone looking to gain a deep and unique insight into the world of hourly workers. The author reminds us of the value of these workers and their importance in our lives as customers and business practitioners. Mr. Richichi's book speaks to the crisis that is before us in the hiring and retention of these essential workers. He recognizes that equitable compensation, a meaningful work life, and caring organizations must be integral components of any solution.
The real-life, concrete examples presented in Hourly are truly compelling, providing a path forward for businesses. Brand leaders such as Panda Restaurant Group and Sweetgreen are empowering their employees and engaging them in the formulation of policies. I found myself both inspired by these brands and hopeful that the vision of a more inclusive economy was possible.
A book like Hourly is long overdue and should be at the top of the reading list for anyone who cares about the future of our workforce."
NATALIE BLACHER
former Vice President of Strategic Planning, Burger King; former CMO, McAlister's Deli
