The problem as i see it from past experience is the two stores are in different states, and as far as the are concerned, the other one does not exist, because they have never met on a face to face basis. The company i worked for in the 1960's had me spend a summer as a relief manager in different stores throughout the region. I made friends with many of the employees and i noticed that when i called for certain items, i was greeted as a friend instead of a competing sales person. Do the following, spend money having the two store managers switch place for a week or so, so that they get to know each others store, employees and merchandise. Next in the stores start a contest to see who can make the most T.O.s and win a money prize. Next be sure that everyone knoes that a sale resulting from a T.O. is split between sales persons. If it requires a third person, then the first T.O. was to the wrong person and they are left out of the commission. Sales People will soon learn that T.O. means money in the pocket and that knowledge also equals money.

This is not a situation that has an “answer”. What you are describing is a management goal. To accomplish this goal requires nothing more elaborate than basic business/personnel practices. If you want teamwork, assign a team leader; someone who has the skill set needed for your situation. Think of any team paradigm: Dog sled, football, Marine battle squad. They all have a designated leader that sets the direction and has both the responsibility and authority to keep team members on track. There are a number of common pitfalls that derail management’s best efforts at creating a successful team. Number one on the list is choosing a team leader for the wrong reason. Leadership skills are different from sales skills. A great sales person may be a mediocre leader which creates a double negative situation; lower sales from the leader and the team. The skills that make for good team members and leaders may not coincide with your current staff’s skills. Try team building exercises with you as the leader. Within the framework of your store, see if you can create specific scenarios that can be acted out within a team “framework” to build employee skills and confidence. Hope this gives you a direction to explore.

This is not a situation that has an “answer”. What you are describing is a management goal. To accomplish this goal requires nothing more elaborate than basic business/personnel practices. If you want teamwork, assign a team leader; someone who has the skill set needed for your situation. Think of any team paradigm: Dog sled, football, Marine battle squad. They all have a designated leader that sets the direction and has both the responsibility and authority to keep team members on track. There are a number of common pitfalls that derail management’s best efforts at creating a successful team. Number one on the list is choosing a team leader for the wrong reason. Leadership skills are different from sales skills. A great sales person may be a mediocre leader which creates a double negative situation; lower sales from the leader and the team. The skills that make for good team members and leaders may not coincide with your current staff’s skills. Try team building exercises with you as the leader. Within the framework of your store, see if you can create specific scenarios that can be acted out within a team “framework” to build employee skills and confidence. Hope this gives you a direction to explore.

Hi - set up selling "pairs" with the same goal that police use with their partners (got your back). Rotate your pairs so that over the course of time, everyone will have partnered with everyone else. Occaisionaly, a client will find a sympatico with one or the other of the two, and may perfer a "one on one" dialogue, but you'll find that many customers will enjoy a tandum, and it will increase the likelihood that "buying signals" won't go unnoticed. Have monthly contests rewarding the most cooperative performances and watch the bonding. (this is also a wondeful way to introduce "mentoring" with weakers sales associates - as it won't seem like they're being singled out"

good luck
marc ofte - ball watch usa

If you spent more time managing your store than blogging everything under the sun maybe you would have time to set the example for your employees. The owner sets the tone in the store. I see that you blog everything looking for answers or help. Maybe you should of done this before you opened your store.

I guess “Store Owner” above doesn’t see the value of blogging in this technology driven world. Shanu has created an excellent forum for discussion of issues at the independent store level. This gives an unlimited audience of other “store owners” an opportunity to network about things that concern them and to HELP EACH OTHER (wow what a concept!). I think this is an excellent blog even though I don’t own a jewelry store. The mere fact that “store owner” has bothered to reply means that this blog is worth it, even for him.