How many times have you walked into a retail store and had a bored or underutilized employee wait on you? This individual had probably grown tired of his or her job. Perhaps they had reached the point where their duties were no longer a challenge.
This scenario is a common one. It plagues businesses all over the nation. This may be happening at your gift shop.
Employee surveys suggest that 60% to 80% of the people employed in America are dissatisfied with their jobs. Not only is that a waste of human potential, it creates lousy service for customers and costs businesses thousands of dollars per year.
It is important to match the right employee to the right position. It also helps to have your gift shop employees work different positions, though. By giving your employees the chance to work different jobs, you are providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.
"The average employee, with the right training, is capable of adequately performing several different types of positions in your shop."
Some business owners think it is easier to have the same employee do the same job, day in and day out. The truth is that the average employee, with the right training, is capable of adequately performing several different types of positions in your shop.
When the time comes that you can no longer challenge that person with the type of jobs available to them at your shop, encourage them to move on. It is not fair to your employee or your business to prevent them from growing.
What are some of the things you can do to keep your team members on a growth curve that not only benefits your store but also benefits your employees?
Here are suggestions for keeping your employees on a growth curve:
- Create a flow chart of the different skills and responsibilities your employees can learn and master while working at your gift shop.
- Explain to them how these skills can be valuable tools in the long-term development of their careers, whether with your business or any other.
- Ask your employees what kinds of things they want to learn that would help them in their careers.
- Ask your employees for suggestions on how you can make their job more challenging and rewarding.
- Hold a meeting and ask your team members how they would change things if they were the owner of your gift shop. Take good notes and implement the best ideas.
