Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged employees on August 29, 2012|
11 Comments »
As your shop grows, having staff, whether paid helpers or volunteers, is vital. One person, even the most motivated shop owner, can’t do it all, and do it well enough to make the shop truly grow and succeed. Many entrepreneurs have a difficult time “managing” people, but it’s really just common sense, as these tips, from Team Work: Staffing your Store, show.
To build a good crew that’s happy and productive, assign staffers where they are most effective. One person may be very good at dealing with one type of customer. Another might be more of a detail person, good at keeping your records straight. Perhaps that shy member might love to do displays or change hangers and mark down and straighten stock. Don’t force someone to do a task that he or she cannot handle. Watch for subtle clues that a worker does or does not enjoy a given task.
A coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator will save money, encourage healthy eating habits, promote staying in-store for lunch, and save time by cutting down on “Can I run get a Coke?” requests.
Have your staffers been working long hours for something special going on at work? Send the staffer’s spouse/partner a thank-you gift when your staffer has been spending an extraordinary amount of time away from home. Flowers or a “dinner-for-two” certificate will tell that spouse that you appreciate her or his patience!
Now INCLUDED for one low price in our Product for The Professional Resaler, our TGtbT Resaler’s Resource List: Your Employee Handbook . A compilation of sources to help you write your employee handbook.
Read Full Post »
Many consignment, thrift and resale stores have a holiday party, and most of these involve gift exchanges. While these are fun, they can also be fraught with “what was s/he thinking?” worries. If you’d rather have some fun and friendship, with a big side dish of community involvement, here’s an idea I really like.
What will it be? Model cars? Paper dolls? A crib mobile that plays Can’t Get No Satisfaction? Do your darnedness, exchange gifts and laughs and funny stories of when you were a kid…
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 