4 Tips to Increase Employee Retention

Whether spring or fall, summer or winter, there is always the chance an employee may be starting or ending their work in your store. Assuming you want to keep your employees happy and successful – after all, why work so hard in training them and allowing them to get to know your customers if you prefer otherwise – here are four tips to help increase your employee retention.

Tip 1: Give Praise 

Whether verbally, written in a note / email / employee review or in a public setting – such as in front of a customer – providing praise to your employees gives them confidence while also increasing their dedication and care towards your store.

Tip 2: Provide Training 

Training takes time and time takes money, but together this can provide your employees the chance to increase their sales and work performances. From new hire trainings to quarterly updates to product knowledge seminars, training should be an ongoing plan in your work agenda. Employees will feel more valued, as well, by you taking the time and effort in doing this.

Tip 3: Set Policies

With trainings should come policies, such as how to open your store every morning or what steps are necessary when delivering customer service. Identify clear policies for your store that your employees can understand and refer to, giving you trust that consistent care, consistent standards and consistent employee / customer experiences are taking place. Don’t forget to identify how employees should request time off, overtime pay, dress codes and all other factors that influence your unique business.

Tip 4: Earn Respect 

Sure, you may expect respect. But have you earned it? Being the boss or store owner alone doesn’t give you this. Lead by example and try to truly earn respect from not only your employees, but your vendors and customers, as well.

Finally, communicate… plain and simple. While actions will always speak louder than words, words still help share your store story, express employee care, offer insight and help your overall employee management. Employees can’t read your mind… nor should they have to. Speak up, just do so respectfully and consistently to gain the store care and employee respect your business deserves.