Retaining Staff and Climbing Expenses

Over the last few months I’ve felt the need for a store manager at my shop- someone smart and confident with handling customers, and most importantly someone who will run the store when I’m not around (giving me more time to focus on designing).

Ideally one of my sales people should also act as a store manager because the roles are not too different. Everyone in the store needs to be completely on top of inventory and accounts, make sure stocks are replaced, recognize regular customers (and remember their taste), and inspire confidence in customers while taking alteration requirements. The one differentiating factor is that a manager must be responsible, motivated, and accountable. At my production unit I have a manager who is in charge of production, and anytime I have a problem with the tailoring quality or low productivity, I take it up directly with her. Her job is to ensure that the problem gets solved. I really need someone like that at the store.

I am fully aware that someone at that level will command a much higher salary than a sales person. However, the most promising candidates for this job are also the least likely to stay. I’ve hired a couple of new sales staff through a recruitment agency (and I think the recruitment agency found the candidates through a job website), and while these women are bright and very quick to learn, they are constantly on the lookout for new opportunities that pay them a little more. To me this means they will never fully immerse themselves in their work to the point where they feel a sense of ownership- the criteria for being responsible, motivated and accountable. I still go through the efforts of spending time with them, training them and hoping that they learn the intricate details of store managing as well as the bigger picture of where this fits in with their personal career goals. Hopefully they will stay. If not- I guess I have to fulfill the role of store manager myself or just pay more for that position. Damn, just when I thought it was time to sit back and relax for a few weeks after the madness of February and March.