Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the Retail Doctor blog.
Employees don't come to us hard-wired to perform well in a vacuum. Unless you can find a way to connect powerfully with your crew, your sales are doomed to failure.
I know, I know — it's easy to say just pay them more. But many times, no matter how much you pay them, after a period of time their self-motivation wanes.
Here are three ideas to help motivate your sales associates that don't involve paying them based on the number of units they move:
#1: Give them luxury: Give your best performing associates something special. A box of especially good chocolates. A 30-minute massage. A gift certificate towards a fine dining restaurant. One owner I know surprised her crew for beating their daily goal with pizza, bowling and champagne — and it worked great. How about a handwritten thank you note mailed to their house?
The more important you make them feel, the more likely they will make your customers feel important.
#2: Give them time: Give your top performer a half or full extra day off with pay. Do it without any fanfare. Just let this person stay home, sleep late, take care of their kids, or go to a movie while you cover their shift. Don't make a big deal about it. It's not a contest; it's a gift for them. When they come back, they will be refreshed.
#3: Give them space: Office space, literally, can feel very much like home. When you designate physical space to an employee, you are telling that person that they have a place here. A permanent place. They matter.
For your best retail associates, carve out a place in the back to set their photos of their kids and their dogs, a place for them to pin ridiculous things they might print out from Facebook — whatever. You may not be able to let employees bring their dogs to work like Google and other big companies do, but you can help employees feel at home when they are at work.