Why Sales Training for Part-Time Staff Is a Good Idea

We recently did a store analysis at a lovely home decor shop that sells home bedding and lifestyle accessories located off the island of Montreal. The owners are home decorators and as a result their design division is doing really well. However, store sales are not strong and recently suffered monthly loses due to a major anchor leaving the mall.

5 Tips on Managing Retail Staff: It's Your Retail Business

I recently attended a woman's business luncheon and at my table I met a couple of shop owners. The conversation eventually turned to how to best manage employees.


It was agreed that a level of leadership was needed to develop engagement as well as reduce staff turn-over. Leadership traits that everyone agreed where the following:

1. Be positive for all not just for your bottom line.
2. Lead by example, people do respect leaders when they live by their word.
3. Build rapport. Everyone likes to feel connected so take the time and build relationships with your staff.
4. Don't stress out. It does nothing but alienate your staff.
5. You don't know everything and that's okay.

This is part of our The Retailer Services.

Enjoy!
Lyndsy
@aromaliving
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4 Common Traits of Successful Small Businesse Owner

leadership |

Over the last 8 years, I've worked with and met many small companies, retail shops and crafters who create and sell wonderful products and I've discovered a common theme among the individuals who have been able to move their love of what they do into a successful business.


These are the 4 common traits:

1. Opportunity is everywhere. These individuals will discuss and review every opportunity, joint venture or partnership that comes along their way. They don’t say no quickly and before they do say no, they will check it out and at all angles. This also allows for negotiation to take place, which may help to create a win-win opportunity for all parties.

2. Long-term vision. In addition to loving what they do, they do have a long-term vision, which drives them to invest in themselves to enhance their sales, leadership and negotiation skills, for example.

3. People friendly. Some crafters love the craft, while others enjoy the people they meet along the way. While some retailers are motivated by independence but don’t enjoy the people side of retail. But a successful business is not solely dependent on single factor, so consider taking on a partner who would handle the people side of things.

4. Curiosity leads the way. These individuals are typically testing or fixing something, which usually leads them to be progressive in the business side of things. They are always learning, moving up the ladder of expectation for their craft, themselves and their business. Even as simple in how they respond to an email or how they greet you at their shop are usually different.


Enjoy!
Cecilia
@aomaliving

Eight Leadership Steps For Today's Shops

It's Your Business

When I was preparing this post, I discovered that the content and images regarding leadership are still fairly skewed towards men.  Images for women leadership still evolves around pink, swirly ribbons and women figures dancing, not sure what that is all about.

I also found content that still claim that leadership includes height, along with these other 3 indicators.

• Height
• Intelligence
• Extroversion
• Fluency 

Height....?  Height....?  It sound like an out-dated attribute?  Even, artificial.  Ahh, who am I kidding when we have the Kardashian women who pout, walk the red carpet and make millions.
     
...back to topic.

Given today's environment I think it is important that we have a quick list to help remind ourselves that happy employees are productive employees.  There may be not that many jobs out there today but once the economy starts to move and if your staff has been unhappy with you, you will probably see an exodus of staff leaving you for the competition. 

Here are your top eight leadership tips.

1. Honesty:  Be as honest as you can be about where the company is going.  Even though you are the boss, you can't do everything and you are probably not good at everything either.  That's why you hire people who are experts in their field. This also means that your staff looks to you for strength of character and integrity.
2. Trust:  Reward fairly.  Let the experts do what you hired them to do.  Ensure that they know you have a plan that will lead them out of this economy, whatever that may mean.    
3. Effective Communication:  This should be number 1, if you are not a fluid communicator - get training.  Not being shy is not the same thing as being an effective communicator.  Being an effective communicator includes across all the different mediums.  Also, share information, keep them informed.  In the end, to be an effective communicator means to be an active listener, fluid thinker, and know when to push and back-off.
4. Know your stuff:  The company, the players, culture, industry, know all of that. 
5. Motivate:  Difficult to do but motivating your staff should be according to their needs inline with your company's goal.  This one is difficult, more so if you have a small company.  Remember, one size leadership style does not fit all.
6. Direct:  Give clear directions.  Everyone should understand what is expected of them.
7. Responsibility:  Give your employees a sense of responsibility.  Not all employees want this and this is what makes a good leader, understand what motivates your employees.  
8. Focus:  So many shops just open their doors and then fail within the first 5 years.  Did you have a business plan?  This would have helped you in your focus.

Best
@aromaliving

Hot Trend! Make it a Senior Moment.

There is a growing trend in spas to create offerings for the growing boomer population with on-staff medical professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.  While some day spas may not have the space to offer these services on-site, consider creating a referral business with these services.

Discuss with these medical professionals to offer a discount to your customers.  Perhaps add a taxi service extending your customer's good feeling with your spa.

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BTW, we finally got a twitter handle, @aromaliving.  We look forward to seeing you all on twitter.

Best!  @aromaliving

4 Tips on Using your Voice Mail

Four tips on how to use your voice mail to help Increase Sales and Customer Loyalty ~ Sales Tip #23

Whether you have an at-home or online business, your phone is your silent employee.  Consider your voice mail your junior sales rep, "the opener". 

Here are a few promotional tips you can use with your voice mail message system to entice your clients to listen, become engage and develop a brand loyalty to your spa and services: 

1. Add specials before your formal company message;
2. Change your message monthly; announce your specials or other benefits about your service;
3. Create messages inline with the seasons, school and holiday schedules;
4. Create voice mail contests, like "Refer 3 friends in April and receive a free manicure!"

When starting out you may find yourself nervous, start with a simple message. Here is an example:

Hello! This is A Natural Perspective. We are unable to come to the phone at the moment because we are busy unpacking our freshly made, all natural handcrafted goat's milk soap, great for the entire family. Let us know if you would like a couple of bars in your message. We'll get back to you today and thanks for calling!   

@Aromaliving