Why To Consider An Intern

Looking for summer help? Considering how to get through the holidays on a budget? Need some extra hands but can’t afford a new employee? Consider an intern!

As a small business retail or wholesale owner, you are able to offer an intern many valuable learning experiences that a corporate, more structured company cannot. It’s possible you can expose them to buying, marketing, merchandising, publicity and so much more – sometimes even in just one day! The advantages on their side are obvious – great experience, great opportunity to learn, great resume builder – but it’s not just about them. There are many reasons you can gain from an intern, too.

Working For You

Often small companies dismiss the idea of an intern because they believe that having one will just get in their way of completing day to day reponsibilities. However, if you let an intern work in your favor, you should find that an intern can add value to your business. Think about the pushed off projects you want to do but just haven’t had time for… Now think about how an intern may be able to help. Consider your strengths, now consider your weaknesses. Possibly an intern who has strengths as your weaknesses can support you where you need it most. Want to gain press but don’t know where to start? A student majoring in marketing and publicity with an interest in retail or your specific business may be the perfect fit. Finally, it goes without saying that you can often get an intern for less money than other employees since they need the credit for school and many are willing to work for experience – not pay. In a perfect world you could pay them at least a little – but it’s your business and your call on that one. Some companies exchange product for their  intern’s support while others pay minimum wage. Just make sure you are aware of the student’s necessary school obligations, as it will be common for you to have to sign off on their work in order for them to get credit having worked as an intern for your business. In addition, it’s often common that you will need to cover certain topics within the internship for it to be approved by the school.

Finding An Intern

Craigslist  is always a hot destination spot for college kids to check job opportunities out, but if you want to really narrow down your search for an intern, go directly to the source. Reach out to colleges with departments that you believe would benefit your business and forward them a well organized intern job description for them to share with their students. Be clear in what your expectations are, pay and hours. In return, your responses should be better suited for your needs.

A first call, phone interview is a great way to weed the good from the bad. You can tell a lot from a phone converstaion. Is the student excited that you called? Do you feel as if they are engaged in the converstaion? Are they answering your questions in a fashion in which you like? If so, invite them for a face to face interview. If not, let them know you will follow up with qualified candidates, therefore not following up with them if you feel they are not the best candidate.

The actual face to face interview is a vital step in choosing your intern. You want to make sure you find a polished, professionally driven college student who will not waste your time but maxmize it and add value to your company. Ask questions that truly matter to you and your business and don’t be scared to be too picky. You should be – it’s your time and your business. Finally, when all the interviews are completed, enjoy your new support and hopefully your business will enjoy the rewards of your intern, as well.

Keeping Employees Happy

It used to be that you only had to worry about keeping your customers happy. It just isn’t that easy anymore. As small business owners, it is so important to also keep your employees happy. By keeping them happy, you are building trust and security in the respect and performance that your employees not only give you, but give your customers, as well. Not only do they represent your business to your customers, but often they represent your business to your vendors and competition. They know the ins and outs, ups and downs of what goes on at your company, so you want to make sure that they are happy with working for you.

When hiring employees and managing employees, there are a few things to consider that can help keep your business growing and thriving.

1. Give respect to your employees the same way you expect respect from them. This means that you should give them praise when deserved, allow for time off when needed and understand that they won’t always do things right. By recognizing that while they may be great at their job most of the time, you also need to respect that everyone makes mistakes.

2. Work may be the leading force in your life, but that doesn’t mean it’s the leading force in your employees lives. Understand that your employees have personal lives that matter to them, therefore they should matter to you. You don’t need to be best buds and know all about their Friday night out, but you should respect that they need and want to have a Friday night out!

3. Let your employees  be leaders. As much as it can be fun to always be the boss, it’s also fun to let go of some responsibilities. If you find the trust you are looking for in an employee, give them the direction to be leaders. As their responsiblities grow, it’s likely their attachment to your business will grow, too – assuming you are respecting them along the way. Just don’t micromanage.

4. Belittle be gone. No one likes to feel underneath someone else. Never, ever disrespect your employees in any way. They know you are the boss. Why remind them with belittling words? Of course, we expect you to give direction and clear supervision in running your business. Just do so nicely.

Finally, throughout your hiring and managing and sometimes firing of employees, try to earn trust and respect every step of the way. This will create loyalty to you and your business, therefore creating a stronger representation of your business to customers, vendors and all else who walk into your professional world. As a result? More sales and more success!

Hiring Emloyees – A Few Things to Consider

Hiring employees can be a very challenging process. There are many things to consider when determining who you want to represent your store, your product, and even yourself. The main reason to understand why these dynamics are so important is because consumers respond to the associates working on the sales floor, therefore influencing consumer purchases.

Think back to a time you walked into a store and were greeted with a friendly smile and an assertive yet not too pushy associate who took the time to engage you in the store product. Now recall an experience when you walked into a store and were not greeted with even a hello and left without being acknowledged at all. Both actions delivered by store employees influenced you in your shopping experience, however only one of these scenarios likely resulted in an unplanned purchase or at least an enjoyable shopping experience.

The goal of your store employees should be to demonstrate knowledge and interest in the product or service they are selling while also communicating in a professional manner. The key here is to remember that your employees are a direct reflection of your store and often, they are what consumers remember more so than the product. This said, in addition to their knowledge and interest of your store product or services, also consider their personality and style. Do they complement your store, as well? They should.

Having the experience or at least the interest in the products being sold is essential. But this will not equal the right sales approach in all employees. Make sure that your employees are aware and well trained in communicating to customers the way in which you want them to. My personal believe is that all new hires should be trained accordingly, as well as reviews / trainings / store meetings should take place on a quarterly or bi-annual basis. Without communicating your expectations of sales to your team, you cannot ensure the best customer service from your associates.

Finally, while it can be tempting to hire friends, family, or just someone who you get along with, make sure their passion towards your store purpose is on track with your own. This will reflect in their sales performance and customer service and ultimately, in your store sales.