“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford
There's a Jimmy Buffet song that goes, "I've had good days and bad days, and going half-mad days." The last two weeks has been like living that song. Between the stock market and all of the press it has been quite the roller coaster ride or, as we say here in Boston, a "wicked" roller coaster ride.
In these times every sale counts. Nobody can afford to miss a single sale. Given the challenges facing this economy it is vitally important that every staff member gives 100% with every customer. If four employees give 100% and one employee only gives 75%, then the store isn't giving 100% and is less likely to succeed.
With that being said, here are four actions every staff member can take to maximize their opportunities and achieve maximum success:
1. Start your day with a positive attitude. Check any issues or negative thoughts at the door when you arrive at work. You can't give 100% if you're holding on to negative thoughts. Yes, I know it's easier said than done, but if anyone can do it, you can. One tool that can help you and your staff remain positive is our free Daily Retail Quote like the one above. The Daily Retail Quote can be downloaded and posted in your backroom or office 365 days a year. Subscribe to the Daily Retail Quote here.
2. Use each other to maintain a positive atmosphere. If one staff member starts to go negative it's your responsibility to stop them. Most people don't even know they're saying negative things, so they'll appreciate you saying something. If they don't appreciate it, I don't see how they'll be giving their 100% that day.
3. Recognize and reward success among your colleagues. Give that high-five when someone makes a sale. Thank someone for doing the task everyone else hates to do. Compliment your colleague for trying to create a sale even when it didn't work out. The fuel that will power each individual toward achieving 100% comes from both within the employee and the other team members.
4. Call out those who aren't giving 100%. I'm not looking to start problems in your store but if a person isn't giving 100%, address it. Don't get in his/her face or something but don't ignore it, either. Just be upfront and say that, based on your observation, you believe there is more that he/she could be doing. My theory is that if you aren't willing to do this then you're not a true teammate.
Are these things easy? Of course not; that's why there are more losing teams than winners. So let me ask, are you doing everything it takes for your team to achieve success?
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