Matt Randle on Dreamland Bedding success

Dreamland Bedding’s general manager, Matt Randle, is a finalist in this year’s People in Retail Awards, and his journey to this point is one of continuous learning and leadership. From his early days working at McDonald’s to completing an MBA, Randle has always been driven to take on new challenges and opportunities.

Randle believes that saying yes to opportunities is key to personal and professional growth. He recalls speaking at universities about the importance of getting involved and taking risks, as this is where he learned new skills and met new people. His passion for education and learning has been shaped by his experiences, including an apprenticeship and studying Business Enterprise at university.

Randle realized he enjoyed the industry and the face-to-face interaction with customers while working at Dreamland Bedding. He introduced new ideas into the business, but learned that presenting change can be just as important as the change itself. Over time, he saw the value of education in bringing fresh perspectives and challenging traditional ways of doing things.

In addition to his degree, Randle completed an MBA through an apprenticeship in senior leadership. He felt that his knowledge was becoming outdated, and he wanted to bring fresh ideas into the business. With the support of the company’s owner, he worked out the costs and time commitment, and was prepared to make sacrifices to make it happen.

The owner’s support went beyond financial, as he was interested in what Randle was learning and how it could benefit the business. Everything Randle learned was put into practice, tested, and adapted. This approach has helped shape his views on leadership, which he describes as stakeholder leadership, taking everyone into account when making decisions and developing the business.

Randle has developed a real interest in ethical choices, but for him, it’s broader than that. It’s about being visible and approachable, both internally and externally, and using the business’s position to support the wider high street and change perceptions of the area.

Randle is happy where he is, and he wants to see through the changes he’s implemented. He’s been approached about other roles, but he’s ambitious and wants to stay and make a difference. His motivation comes from his daughter, who is three years old, and he wants to make the area a better place for her and other young people growing up there.

Through education, apprenticeships, community projects, sustainability initiatives, or simply running a good business, Randle believes that it’s all connected, and that if he can improve things a little bit for the people around him, that’s a worthwhile thing to do. His story serves as an example of how continuous learning, leadership, and community involvement can make a positive impact on both individuals and businesses. Leadership is about having a longer-term vision and improving the environment around you, not just focusing on sales and profit, as seen in product experience platforms.