Finding the right store manager is essential and can have a big impact on the sales, team, and overall outcome of the store. Find out what the key characteristics of a store manager are in this segment from an interview between Dale Beaumont and Joanne Mercer.
Joanne is the founder of Joanne Mercer Footwear, which today has 27 stores and a wholesale distribution arm. Collectively the total sales exceeds $22 million per year.
What are the key characteristics you look for when employing store managers?
At Joanne Mercer, we employ by looking for attitude first and then for experience. Of course, we do want highly experienced individuals who have been successful in managing a footwear business in the past, but the right person must have the right attitude. Self-starters, who have the passion and will to make a business successful are the most likely candidates.
One of our best store managers in Adelaide, Naomi, had never worked in a footwear store before, but her work ethic, her willingness to learn and her passion for the job resulted in her being promoted to the position of state manager for South Australia.
We want people who will treat this business like it is their own. I am always saying to my team, ‘Treat it like it’s your business and your money. If you had to make a decision, what would you do then?’
In order to maintain this calibre of staff, we put all of our area managers through leadership workshops to assist them in their roles. We also regularly send people off for specific workshops and training sessions to keep their minds active and to keep enhancing their performance at work. All of our staff have regular training sessions with their area managers as well as in-store coaching to ensure that customer service standards are consistent and maintained across the company.
We have a very family approach to our business. John and I are both very visible and accessible to our staff. We have had many staff leave only to come back saying they enjoyed their time working with us and that they missed the company. We can’t afford to pay more but we try to compensate by creating enjoyment for people in their work. Retailing is fun and should be enjoyed.
For more of this interview and finding out what are the key characteristics of a store manager check out “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!“
