Ebb and Flow

We all go through phases in our lives.

Change happens in perpetual motion when running stores. It seems monotonous in the day to day routine.  From policy changes to impromptu sale set ups; from call outs to surprise visits; from a strong manager giving two weeks’ notice to your boss having a REALLY bad day. This is the ebb and flow of life in retail and something people outside of retail don’t understand. Many times, it all happens in just one day. One 8 hour shift. We are our own bosses, HR managers, custodians and loss prevention directors. What other profession can say the same?

It is a lot of responsibility that comes with a price. The price of feeling over-worked, tired and stressed. It can take a toll on relationships both in the store and at home. Not a good feeling, but with the right type of leadership and guidance, you can have it all. A successful store AND a happy personal life. How? It is all about scheduling, time management and faith in your people.

Are you a store manager that has to call the store on your days off to check in? OR, even worse, show up at the store on your day off?  That is the first place to start in your attempt to create a balance that works. I know it can be extremely difficult to let go. Especially if you are a new store manager, but you have to remember you gave keys to certain people for a reason. That reason needs to be on your mind at all times. You cannot control everything. Your team needs to possess the mindset that you have faith and trust in them to accomplish tasks and run the store without you. Know that if they truly NEED you, they will call you. This is another reason to mentor your teams to be cognizant of the information library that is your management experience. They should have the ability to answer their own questions or if they don’t know, find the answer.

I am not saying that your management team can’t come to you for guidance, that IS your job, but they should be able to handle a customer issue or handle a policy question without you. They should be able to have an impromptu visit and answer store specific questions when asked. That’s why they are in management. Right? That’s why you are in your role, right?

Training is everything. No one deserves to fail because they lack the proper information. You can’t expect a member of your team to know EVERYTHING, but it is your role as the store’s leader to make sure they know where to look and how to approach situations. Since retail is always changing, your team should always be updated. You should include members of your team in visits and walk-thrus. Merchants should be a part of presentation discussions. Operation managers should be a part of loss prevention visits and audits. They all need to understand your pressure and why you schedule the way you do or delegate the things you do. Your store will not be successful if they don’t. The ebb and flow will not be a positive and empowering. It will just become turn over and who needs/wants that?

I have seen many a manager schedule people to get a schedule done with no thought or effort. This is THE BIGGEST MISTAKE a store manager can make and one I will tackle next…