by Wendy Mullins

Created on: May 22, 2008

Retail, retail retail. A land of abusive customers and ignorant service staff. Isn't it strange how we all detest poor service yet reflecting upon ourselves do we actually offer good service?

Retail contains a mind field of issues that at times makes it hard for one to maintain a serene expression. There are known factors for both sides; a warm greeting, an acknowledged interest in what the customer is saying, a fast efficient transaction, a simple smile. Doesn't sound too hard until you are approached by a person who is taking out their bad day on you.

People of today are too rushed with modern electronic efficiencies to actually acknowledge your greeting. They are too self centred to have their eyes meet yours. We are in a now generation that wants everything . . . well . . . now! It is this generation who are behind our counters at the fast food joints earning a little cash for college. It is this generation who do not wish to serve you as they should be doing something better. Or because this is not their ultimate career choice. Do they not realize that the skills they learn to day will carry them a long way in business? To become a success no matter what they wish to achieve.

Retail teaches you to communicate with people from all walks of life. To actually listen to their words and understand what they are after. To succeed in retail you need to understand the product you are selling and how it best suits the need of each particular buyer. Not what you think they should have based on your own desires, but what they truly need.

If you can achieve this listening skill you have made it a step closer to becoming a great sales person. Presenting a product to them in a manner that they understand; to make them realize they cannot live without it; makes you a better negotiater. It allows you to find the wording you need to suit your audience. Surely this is a skill worth holding onto in life presenting your case and having others agreeing?

The key to being a great sales person in retail means achieving the old adage of a win-win situation. A customer should leave a store believing they got the best possible product for their needs at the best possible price. With that they should believe that the sales person cared and was sincere. The win on your behalf is that you achieved a sale, at a profitable margin, were well received by the customer with an expectation that they would return for future purchases. Simple.

A smile is free and surprisingly it is contagious.

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