Retail companies constantly invest in new technologies, website features, and in-store experiences to enhance the customer experience and boost revenue. However, to increase sales and efficiency of stores, instituting a comprehensive new employee orientation program should be at the top of the list.
New employee orientation can increase employee retention
Good onboarding leads to good retention rates. At Corning Glass Works, new employees who attended a structured orientation program were 69 percent more likely to remain at the company up to three years. Research on new employee onboarding shows that when onboarding is done correctly, it leads to:
- Higher job satisfaction
- Organizational commitment
- Lower turnover
- Higher performance levels
- Career effectiveness
- Lowered stress
3 key areas to include in your retail new employee orientation program
Here are 3 key areas that you should include in your new hire orientation program in order to make your store associates successful!
1. What does your brand stand for?
Employees are your most important brand ambassadors: with prospects, with customers, and with the community. By ensuring that all employees understand and believe in the company’s mission, in its purpose and what the brand stands for, you can have a significant impact on how your brand is viewed by customers. A good brand foundation allows employees to demonstrate the brand in an inviting, relevant and truthful manner every day in their job.
Questions to get started:
- Share your story: How did the business start? Why are you here?
- What does your brand stand for?
- What does your brand look like?
- What are your vision and mission? What are your values?
2. Empower store associates with product knowledge and sales techniques:
Store associates should be empowered with product knowledge to connect with customers and provide a personalized experience. As customers enter the store armed with a wealth of information. Store associates need to be able to not only match this high level of knowledge but also add to it and provide additional value. Deloitte research shows that conversion rates increased by 9% when customers were assisted by employees who possess a high degree of product knowledge and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. Train your new employees on product knowledge, interpersonal skills and sales techniques to provide a personalized, relevant customer experience supported by technology.
3. Train your new employees on store operations, loss prevention & shrinkage:
Ensure that your entire staff is well trained in inventory management, merchandising, loss prevention and safety practices. Every year retail stores incur a loss of more than $30B because of inventory loss due to shrinkage, theft and administrative errors. The holiday season is by far the most costly time for shrinkage. Training your employees on proactive preventative loss prevention measures can go a long way to making the holiday season profitable and successful. Your new hire training program should include training on following programs:
- Loss prevention
- Inventory control
- Safety
- Visual merchandising
By creating a comprehensive retail new hire training program, you can make a great first impression, reduce attrition, and set your team up for success starting on Day 1. Are you taking advantage of the new employee orientation or are you missing an opportunity?
By Rahul Mathew
