J.D. Associates Retail POS Solutions Blog

THE Place to Work

  

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Today's post is from our guest author, Doug Fleener.
He's so readable and spot on!

I believe that the most important element of specialty retail is our extraordinary people. In order to attract and keep extraordinary people we must be THE place to work. While I know that many specialty stores are great places to work, I'm not sure they're THE place to work. It's sort of like nightclubs. There might be any number of popular nightclubs in a city but there's usually only one or two that people are willing to stand in line to get in to. It takes a lot of work to be THE place to work but, as is the case with most hard work, there are also handsome rewards.

Here are five signs that your business is THE place to work.

1. You rarely have a position open. Not that you never have openings, because turnover is healthy in a store, but because people are clamoring to work for your company you have extraordinary people jumping at the chance to join.
2. Your employees are always recruiting their friends and family. Again, they don't wait until there's an opening because they know how fierce the competition is to get in the door.
3. While some people have worked in your store for a long time, others have moved on to very successful careers elsewhere but are still happy to work for you, if they can, during the holidays.
4. Both current and potential employees can rattle off the perks of working in your store. And because you want to be THE place to work, the perks must be both better and different from other retailers.

Here are some comparisons of perks from a good store and THE store.

Good: 40% employee discount.
THE: $50 merchandising credit every month that can be accrued and used towards a bigger purchase.

Good: Get to participate in charity events at the store.
THE: Get one paid day per quarter to volunteer with a charity of your choice.

Good: Can wins prizes in store contests from time to time.
THE: Can win some amazing prizes in store contests.

Good: Has an annual holiday dinner.
THE: Regularly treats staff to lunch and dinner when working holidays and sometimes just for a show of appreciation.

Good: Is paid well.
THE: Is paid extremely well with the opportunity to earn considerably more when the store performs above expectations.

Good: Is flexible with the schedule.
THE: The staff can, within reason, practically write their own schedule.  

Good: Receives regular training.
THE: Is pushed to grow and develop every day.

Good: Are regularly thanked for their services.
THE: Are regularly thanked for their contribution, and formally recognized for their individual performance and contribution to the store's success.

You get the point. If you want your business to be THE place to work, the perks must be better and different.

5. Last but not least, you communicate to your customers what an amazing staff you have. Why wouldn't you, since it's your competitive advantage? So let me ask, are you THE place to work in your community?

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Contact Doug to learn how he can help you transform your business or meetings.

Call: 866-535-6331
Email: doug@dynamicexperiencesgroup.com
Tweet around with him on Twitter: twitter.com/dougfleener
Web: www.DynamicExperiencesGroup.com