So tell me, what's the name of the next
person you're going to hire? What??? You don't know? Maybe you think it doesn't
matter because you're not hiring now anyway. Or if you are hiring, you're
probably thinking that you would like to know the answer to that question
yourself, because at the moment you have no idea. But the fact is that each and
every one of us should have an individual, or a short list of individuals, we
will contact when a position opens up.
People are a retailer's greatest asset and
their best point of differentiation. Because of this it's important that we only
hire GREAT people. Not good people, GREAT people. And to find GREAT people we
have to be looking for them and recruiting them every chance we get. If you only
start looking for an employee when you have an opening then the odds of getting
a GREAT employee are not in your favor. \
Here are five tips for always having a
GREAT person ready to hire.
Get rid of that "Help Wanted" sign.
Whenever you post a "Help Wanted" sign it just tells your customers you're
understaffed. Instead, post a sign that communicates what a great place you
are to work and that you're always looking for GREAT people.
If someone asks
if you're hiring, don't say no. Tell them you're always interested in GREAT
people. Always take the time to interview a hot prospect as it's your
opportunity to sell him/her on your company. You can tell them at the end of
the interview that you don't have any current openings but you're quite
interested in having them join your team when there's an opening. Tell them
you would like to stay in touch with them and then do so from time to time.
Always be ready
to recruit your best customers. We all have those frequent shoppers who seem
to really love the place. Well, love them back! Your best customers are
already knowledgeable and passionate about your products. That's the sort of
person you want to have working for you, isn't it? Make sure you have names
and contact information for those people so when a position opens up you can
get in touch with them. You do have the names and contact information of your
best customers, don't you?
Be a GREAT place
to work. Nothing attracts GREAT help more than a GREAT environment. Create a
fun and enjoyable store for your customers and people will be begging you to
work there. And remember, you're always looking for people!
As Nike says,
just do it. We all know we should do these things but we don't always do them.
If people are one of your greatest assets then shouldn't you, as an owner or a
manager, be investing your time in finding GREAT people?
So start looking
today for your next GREAT employees. Who knows, you might even know their names
already, even if you're not hiring.
- Doug
About the author:
Doug Fleener is founder of the Dynamic Experiences Group. He is a veteran
retailer with more than 25 years of hands-on retail experience with world-class
retailers including Bose Corporation and The Sharper Image. He has also owned
and operated his own specialty stores. His new book, The Profitable Retailer:
56 surprisingly simple and effective lessons to boost your sales and profits
published by Acanthus Publishing.
Doug is now president and
managing partner of Dynamic Experiences Group LLC, a Lexington based retail
consulting firm dedicated to helping retailers create unique customer
experiences that results in higher sales and profits. Learn more at
www.dynamicexperiencesgroup.com or call Doug at 866-535-6331.
Fleener also shares his
knowledge of experience based retailing in a series of custom key notes and
workshops designed for stores, businesses, corporations, non-profits, and trade
associations of all sizes. His casual style and quick wit make him not just a
crowd pleaser but also an incredible motivator, encouraging people to take
action and deliver extraordinary experiences to customers and employees alike.
Learn more at
www.dougfleener.com.
