Re-Post: Paying attention: A Retail Perspective
Try to not ignore anyone.
Read MoreSecurity and Fence: A Retail Perspective
At a high-risk retail location such as the one I have been working at these past three years there comes a time when you are asked to be both a security guard for the products you sell and fence for the thieves that steal them.
Read MoreA Leader and a Follower
A man named John sits in a waiting room for his interview. He is not nervous or overly enthusiastic. After a few minutes waiting in the room, John is told by the secretary that Mr. Johnson is ready to see him. She opens the door for him and as he passes her she smiles and mouths, "good luck".
Mr. Johnson: Thank you for coming in today, John.
John: Thank you for seeing me. I'm excited to be here.
Read MoreDon't Get Caught Up: A Retail Perspective
Don't get caught up in other people's emotions. Customers and coworkers will often times act as if they are in the midst of an emergency when they are not. Or they will act childish or rude. Or they will act as if you are the only one who can help them. This is almost never an accurate depiction of their situation. They might be trying to manipulate you into giving them a price break or, worse, they simply have no control over their emotions. Having empathy and sympathy is helpful in understanding and communicating with customers but getting wrapped up in their emotional states means that you stop being in control of your own autonomy and you can unconsciously take on their emotions. If this happens you can find yourself anxious, angry, fearful, hyperactive or otherwise mirroring someone else's emotions unnecessarily.
Read MoreRe-Post: Sacrifice Self for Service
I spent the last six years working for a large electronics retailer and most of that time was as a Store Manager. In the last year I worked there they changed the title to Store Leader to try to infuse some ownership or enthusiasm into the role. The company was constantly changing terms, role definitions and performance evaluation standards in an effort to create impactful "cultural" changes but it mostly led to inconsistency and confusion. Frequently redefining evaluative tools, job descriptions and philosophies indicates a lack of central vision and understanding of psychology. Ambiguity and inconsistency muddy the waters of an organization's central goals and frustrates managers.
Read MoreRe-Post: Some Notes on Conference Calls
We have conference calls once a week. They are a good time to check Twitter, Facebook, tinder, back to Twitter, back to Facebook, play solitaire, text people, watch a Youtube video with no sound... You get it. Every once in a while there is a piece of important information that I write down but if I don't a thorough set of notes will show up in my e-mail an hour or so later making any notes unnecessary.
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