Do You Know the Secret's of Retail Survival. - By: Jed McCall

While the big companies freeze pay for their employees, but continue to pay director's bonus and further depress the workforce, you need to start taking advantage.

Now is the time for Independent Retailers to grow, develop and survive within their business. With their biggest asset. Staff, your staff can be motivated, re-trained, consulted with on the issues facing your business, their means of earning a living. Get this right and work together, the results can be truly amazing, especially on your bottom line.

Focus on what else you can introduce into your business to increase productivity and cash flow, do not be afraid to develop your business in the tough times, this is one way to assist your survival.

You could start with a customer survey, something simple that you put together yourself, ask them what else they would be interested in buying from your store.

Take a look at your competition, what do they do and how well do they do it. Take a leaf from their book if you are impressed, think about implementing what you like. If you are less impressed, bear that in mind also and ensure it doesn't happen in your place of business.

Retail is the second largest employer in this country and the time has come for the Independent Retailer.This year is all about you and what you can achieve within your business, using your valuable assets, your staff.

Maintain and attract the employees of the future. Retail offers flexible days and hours of work, it will fit in with most family and home life commitments. The pay has improved and the work is so varied, no two days are the same. Commit to maintaining a multi skilled work force, this is the most cost effective way for you, plus your staff will grow with knowledge, confidence and they can expect real job satisfaction.

A focused and trained member of staff will contribute to your business overall. With an excellent level of customer service which will benefit your profitability. Remember, there is a direct link between excellent customer service and your profit line. Consumers, have high expectations, they need to be met. Customers must be at the heart of your business not an after-thought.

Give consideration to a reward scheme or bonus system, which should be directly linked to their development and achievement of the goals you have set them. These goals will be in line with the improvements that you expect to see, in exceeding customer expectations, knowledge of the store, and the products and services you sell. Awareness of Health and Safety in the workplace and a working knowledge of current legislation as a minimum.

Do not forget to test their knowledge to recognise any training or coaching requirements. Empowerment is a strong incentive to productivity and good results, if your member of staff is keen to take more responsibililty, learn different tasks, and you are prepared to invest some time in allowing your staff to develop, it will pay dividends for the future.

If you have concerns over the viability of your business in the current climate, do not be afraid to share this with your staff. Nine out of ten times they themselves will come up with a solution to ease the situation.

It could be a simple job share for a period of time, reduction in hours, any manner of things, do not forget, if you are having this conversation with them, also ask for ideas to improve business. They have the ear of your customer base, they also have friends and neighbours who may have some useful ideas, never be afraid to ask and discuss.

Good luck, and remember nothing will change until you take action.

About the Author

A retail professional with years of knowledge and expertise in, Convenience Retail, Hospitality, Petrol forecourts, Staff Training and Assessment. All of these sectors of the industry require multi skilled staff, with a certain level of commitment. Now is the time to re-focus on your staffing, it will pay off. http://www.how2retail.co.uk

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