The Person

Resume

In today's tough times and unemployment, I just found today, 10 companies that are hiring. Use the communication world you have in front of you to explore the real opportunities that are out there. Be prepared to target your resume and cover letters for that specific company and job description. Do not send a resume over the Internet and call it a day. Companies are hiring those who really want a career. Be prepared to follow up and create not a good resume but a great one. Everyone has skills so use them. If it takes you an hour to write your resume and send it in online, do not expect an answer. Follow up with contacting the important people in that company. Take the time to learn about the company, their mission, their value statement, their goals. Make sure that you are a match for them and they match what and who you are.

Career not a Job

If you are looking for a job, don't. Companies don't need more people looking for a job. Try to find that fit, a career. Look for what you want and like to do. It will show in your interview and performance. Today in the job opportunity world it is all about if they like you. Dress the part, walk the walk and talk the talk. Take the job hunt like it is just a job and so will your opportunities to get one.
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Identify needed Changes

In retail today the most important thing is to identify and initiate change. Change in this economy is the only thing for sure. You must identify what needs to change due to your specific market and then act on it. Make the changes necessary specific to your customer. The customer will appreciate that you cared. The results will be increased traffic and market share with satisfied customers

Employers

As an employer it is imperative that you use the data you have to see what and when your customers want specific to your location. This will allow you to maximize inventory controls and labor costs. Communicate, teach and train your employees and especially the management staff. They are the leaders for the company direction to flow or not. Open up that tool box and fill it with the right tools to allow your employees to maximize their performance. If you do this you will be creating a loyal group of professional experts in your industry to reduce turnover and increase your market share.

Merchandising Equals Success

Merchandising in the right location with the right product will bring sales and profits. Even in this economy there are products that the customer has to have. Make sure to merchandise those items along side items that complement each other ( ex; bbqs with charcoal, lighter fluid, matches, bug candles, tiki torch, torch oil, next to steak and hotdogs and hamburger.) don't forget the buns, and water or soda's, chips and dips to maximize the customer experience. The customer will reward you with impulse buying and profits. Location, Location, is always the right answer for efficient merchandising and rotation of product. Become the customer to see what and where the product should be located in the store.

Employee Promotions

We often promote from with in and that means an hourly associate or a current supervisor is promoted to the ranks of assistant manager. The thing that we forget to do is to make sure that the person promoted from a department into management, understands or knows the scope of the business they are in. We often take the best from a department and expect that they will understand and perform at the level that got them promoted from a department for the whole business. It is imperative that we do not set them up for failure. Take the time to teach and train the expectations for management versus department. It will bring a new and vivacious manager to the ranks.

Service Essentials

The number one rule today must be: What do you want and what are you looking for as a customer. You want a personalized experienced, you want your wants and needs anticipated before you ask and you want a natural experience with an employee. We must teach and train our employees to give a natural responses not canned or scripted ones. Think how it feels when you are the customer, which we all are when not at work. Today we have the tendency to feel or be more impatient with the customer and their needs. We often forget that this may be their first shopping experience of the day. The customer does not see or care that you may have had a trying or stressful day so far. Always take the time to remember the person who employs you and is the real boss, " the customer "

It is not Retail

Today so many people think that they are in the retail business. The word retail signifies sales at a price. It does not matter if you label it, retail stores or retail business, you are in the people business Try to succeed in any business without people. You buy from people, you sell to people, you wait on people, you hire people, you train people, you depend on people to get it done. It is imperative that we all take the time to remember that we are all people. Teach and train, work and spend all that time together to succeed, you need the right people. People are the backbone and driving force to success. Take the time to hire, and mentor the right people. Communicate with them. Allow them to fail as well as succeed to become a true entrepreneur. The world of business is People.