Motivating Your Retail Sales Staff In Slow Times
By Debbie Allen, All Rights Reserved

KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET
Retail is a day to day business. Some days you are HOT and some days your NOT. Don't buy into the down economy.
This is not a bad economy - the US will experience a 10 Trillion dollar economy this year alone. There is a lot of money to go around! If you are doing the right things to market your business and staying in touch with your customers on a regular basis they will return after your slow period of summer vacations, back to school, etc.

When you keep your positive mindset it will flow onto your sales staff and motivate them to keep a positive  mindset on the sales floor. This will keep your register ringing and your sales UP. When you encourage a positive atmosphere with enthusiasm it is contagious.

Enthusiasm = Positive Emotions
Positive Emotions = Happy Customers
Happy Customers = More Sales and More Profits For You

OFFER MORE FLEXIBLE HOURS
Ask your staff to let you know in advance of your scheduling what days they will need off. Discuss your willingness to make it work for them. If business is slow offer some bonus paid vacation time to your best salespeople. The appreciate and surprise benefit will motivate them to become more loyal to your organization and they will return the favor with hard work and more determination to succeed.

ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY
When times are slow hold more sales meetings to discuss new promotions, advertising, inventory, customer service,
and future goals. Always get input from your staff at these meetings and have some fun with a creative brainstorming
session that puts everyone's ideas to work.

BE OPEN, NOT INTIMIDATING
Let your staff know that your door is always open to support them and listen to their ideas and concerns. Create a family
atmosphere where people can feel they trust and support one another through the good times and the bad.

HAVE FUN
All work, and no play, can make for a dull day. Don't take your business too seriously. Lighten up, relax and enjoy some
free time when your retail business is not in full swing. If you can't stand being around in during the down times - get
out of the store and take a short vacation or attend workshops to build your business. Make sure to plan for a lot of relaxation time to refocus.

Discover new ways to look deeper into your business and focus on what you are thankful for and where you plan to go in the future. Upon your return, share your new discoveries with your sales staff during a fun and relaxed meeting. They will pick up on your motivation and feel more confident about their own future within your organization.

REMEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Recognize and celebrate with your staff often. Host an annual anniversary party for all the sales staff that have been with your retail store one year or longer. Make them feel special with surprise gifts and a very special evening out on the town. Or host an off-site meeting at a restaurant or a picnic in the park for their entire family.

SNOOP DAYS
Take out your entire staff to shop the competition. If you have a large staff you may want to break this up during two or three different days and maybe even rent a large van so that you can all travel together and have some fun during your adventure. Introduce yourself to the competition.  Let them know why you are shopping their store and offer to send them business in areas that you do not focus on in your retail store.

Your competitors can often be your best alliances. It will be a good lesson for your staff to learn and understand this
competitive advantage of making friends with the competition.  After your tour, take your staff out for lunch or dinner and discuss all the things your competition is doing RIGHT. The areas where they excel are the areas to watch out for. By educating yourself and your sales team to your competitors strengths and weaknesses, you will automatically feel more confident and motivated to move forward and succeed.

by Debbie Allen

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Bio: Debbie Allen is one of the world’s leading authorities on sales and marketing.  She is the author of five books including Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters and Skyrocketing Sales.  Debbie has helped thousands of people around the world attract customers like crazy with her innovative, no-cost marketing strategies and secrets to sales success.  Her expertise has been featured in Entrepreneur, Selling Power and Sales & Marketing Excellence.  Sign up for her FREE 6-week e-Course Business Success Secrets Revealed ($97 value) and take the online business card quiz to rate your marketing online now at www.DebbieAllen.com.