Posted by Kasandra Clarke on Wed, Aug 19, 2009 @ 05:54 PM
How can you manage an ongoing training program that is both affordable and convenient? This question is extremely important in this economy.
Many retailers are adopting e-learning; it is also much more affordable for high turnover retail environments.
5 key reasons why retailers are adapting elearning:
- Convenient - available 24/7 - anywhere, anytime
- Accessible - Web access is the only requirement
- Affordable - eliminates trainer, classroom and travel expenses
- Self-directed - employees progress at a pace they are comfortable with
- Green - eliminates expensive and wasteful printed materials
Gaining a competitive edge in today‘s retail industry requires an ongoing investment in training. Success depends upon your ability to maximize sales and reduce costs.
Employees need to increase skills, knowledge and competencies in many areas including customer service, selling skills and product knowledge. They also need to be trained to keep costs down through loss prevention and safety training. Many retailers do not have a budget for classroom trainers or travel expenses anymore. They also can't afford to have associates off the sales floor for too long.
E-learning is a cost-effective training solution that transcends time and distance, employees can log on from any location, anytime. E-learning couples educational principles with interactive media to offer a perfect solution for the most demanding training requirements. Many courses include interactivity and are actually interesting and engaging for employees, which helps with compliance.
Posted by Kasandra Clarke on Wed, Aug 19, 2009 @ 05:41 PM
The key to increasing store sales... STORE EMPLOYEES!
Many of us struggle with knowing what to do to increase store sales AND decrease expenses. We are being challenged at both ends. The challenge is how to maximize sales effectiveness, just having a "warm body" on the sales floor is not good enough.
1. Keep employees on the floor selling!
To maximize sales, employees need to be trained but no manager wants employees to be off the floor for extended periods to take lengthy training courses.
2. Provide short, ongoing training
Courses should be very short - not longer than 10-45 minutes. The goal is to learn and apply. Employees learn better and are able to execute more effectively when learning in small snippets. Putting employees through 2-4 hour training marathons just wears them out.
3. Include Customer service, selling skills and product knowledge training.
Why all three:
Have you even been in a store where a sales person walks up to you and asks if they can help you. You say sure, then ask them a question they can't answer anything. Need - Product Knowledge
Now think about a time when you went to a store and the guy knew his stuff but was more concerned about showing you how smart he was by rhyming off all kinds of facts and didn't bother asking you about your needs. Need - selling skills training.
Imagine if you bought a printer and got home to find out that the printer would not work without a special extra cable and you realized you forgot paper. The salesperson was doing you a disservice by not up selling the other essential items you needed. Need - selling skills training.
4. Keep employees engaged and motivated
Many of our employees are teens and early twenties, they need to be entertained and engaged, otherwise they tune out. Ensure your courses are interactive and include attendee participation.
5. Recognize and reward employees for meeting goals
Many employees say they work harder to receive recognition vs more money. Simple things, like entering all those employees who reached a target into a draw for an ipod, can have a major impact on motivation.
All of this can be done for under $30 per employee and the payback will be immediate and significant.