While the Cat’s Away Do Your Mice Play?
So I think I’ve finally caught up after Vegas. As soon as I returned back to the store not only did I have mounds of paperwork to sort through but unfortunately two of my staff members had quite a bit of a tiff while I was away. Now, I hate to say it but I did call the store while I was away to check up on everything. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t because I know I can’t do anything over the phone or while I’m in Vegas and it would just have to wait until I returned. Do you call your stores while you’re away on vacation or at trade show? Does your manager handle the store and all that comes with it?
I know my staff works hard and I’m not too worried about sales while I’m away. I have an unbelievable sales manager who is always willing to lend a hand. I do have a new staff member whom I’m training and many part-timers whom at this moment aren’t selling loose diamonds but I know with time they all will be doing that too. What concerns me the most is them working together as a team when I’m gone and ego issues of course. I know they all don’t get along with each other but then again who likes all their co-workers, but they all need to maintain a professional/working relationship. Sometimes their personality differences get in the way and can affect the others as well as the customers. People can sense tension. What do you do to minimize problems in the store while you’re away?
Roberto Doering commented:
One day, in a flash it dawned on me this is a huge problem. So, i
set out to solve it and came up with something remarkable. I
developed software using existing camera and video technology and
designed it to alert you to any occurences that were important for
you to be aware of. Then once you became alerted to the event with
just a couple of clicks you could, from anywhere, view the video
recording of what just took place. And then i gave it a name and
called the system "eyeson" and that is what i have been doing now
for the past several years making sure when the cats away the mice
don't play.
Shilpa Tiwari commented:
I think systems can definatly keep the mice and cats both happy,
keeping the system running and handing the staff their assigned job
always makes a difference. As every individual knows their work for
the day and is moving ahead in that one direction,rather than
trying to know whats happening with their co woker and trying to
excel in his feild. alltogether they are busy and getting trained
as well..
Babs Noelle commented:
I keep my staff at both stores entertained and engaged in my buying
trip by calling in frequently with websites for them to check out
jewelry lines I am considering. That way, they are partially
"trained" on new lines before I even return!
