I’ve been on the sales floor at my new job for two days and I’ve already had to start getting on to a few guys about dicking around. Gonna be interesting times ahead! I was told I was hired to turn the dept around. I get the feeling I’m going to make several enemies in the near future.

Can you turn your enemies into vacancies?

I somehow just know that you're going to lead from the front.

Do you pay on a commission basis or some other method?
Commission is a self cleaning method.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Can you turn your enemies into vacancies?

Yes and the top dog has already said he’s fine with that.

No, no commission, just there to help people and keep the place from looking like an angry bull ran through it.

So what exactly are you expecting from what sounds like a minimum wage work force in a dead end job (sounds like retail, maybe a box store to me...)? You are seeing living proof that you get what you pay for. What are you giving them to motivate them do more than the bare minimum?

I'm guessing you're employees are similar to those I worked with in similar environments; they are either retirees (close to it) or college age and looking for a part time gig. Few will choose a job like you describe for a career level position. My experience.... YMMV.

So what are you selling?

I'd be happy to drive down and play "mystery shopper" as long as you tell me who I'm supposed to target for my totally unbiased and neutral review of their shit service.

Seriously - I'm good with sophisticated yet scathing reviews and complaints to management/corporate.

-Rob

Burton sounds scary. I better up my game. Lol

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
So what exactly are you expecting from what sounds like a minimum wage work force in a dead end job (sounds like retail, maybe a box store to me...)? You are seeing living proof that you get what you pay for. What are you giving them to motivate them do more than the bare minimum?

I'm guessing you're employees are similar to those I worked with in similar environments; they are either retirees (close to it) or college age and looking for a part time gig. Few will choose a job like you describe for a career level position. My experience.... YMMV.

Actually, as an employer, I’d expect them to do the job that I hired them to do for the wage they agreed upon. It is absolutely no fun to be the motivator in this scenario, but it really shouldn’t be too much to expect people to do the job description that they signed up for and they can certainly walk if they don’t want to do it. Quit wasting time and money and let someone else with more energy and enthusiasm give it a shot. A PhD candidate I went to school with always said “autograph your work with excellence”. I always think when I sign off or place my initials next to something, that I’ve given it my best effort. Because my name is on there. It’s sad to see and hear such apathy. I fucking hate leeches.

You must have a commission based pay plan or you're wasting your time trying other methods in a sales situation.

You could try rewarding a couple of the good employees and see what happens before the pink slips

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

Seriously - I'm good with sophisticated yet scathing reviews and complaints to management/corporate.

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
You could try rewarding a couple of the good employees and see what happens before the pink slips

The rewards or firings aren’t really on the horizon just yet. I didn’t walk in barking orders and hadn’t planned on saying much the first week or two but some things were obvious and needed correcting. It’s not my first rodeo. My last job where I was in charge of a team all my people loved me because they knew I had their backs if they were giving it their all and I don’t just sit back and boss anyone around. I’m out there leading by example.

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
So what exactly are you expecting from what sounds like a minimum wage work force in a dead end job (sounds like retail, maybe a box store to me...)? You are seeing living proof that you get what you pay for. What are you giving them to motivate them do more than the bare minimum?

I'm guessing you're employees are similar to those I worked with in similar environments; they are either retirees (close to it) or college age and looking for a part time gig. Few will choose a job like you describe for a career level position. My experience.... YMMV.

Actually, as an employer, I’d expect them to do the job that I hired them to do for the wage they agreed upon. It is absolutely no fun to be the motivator in this scenario, but it really shouldn’t be too much to expect people to do the job description that they signed up for and they can certainly walk if they don’t want to do it. Quit wasting time and money and let someone else with more energy and enthusiasm give it a shot. A PhD candidate I went to school with always said “autograph your work with excellence”. I always think when I sign off or place my initials next to something, that I’ve given it my best effort. Because my name is on there. It’s sad to see and hear such apathy. I fucking hate leeches.

You nailed it irreverent. The job pays what it does because it’s a low skill/responsibility position. The pay wasn’t a secret before they offer. All but a few are there to collect a check. I expect them to earn it.

It's not Cabelas is it because I was in their Dundee, MI store (one of the big flagship ones) and did not have a single offer of help in the 45 minutes I was there. Had to practically push 2 "outfitters" out of the way in the gun library as they were too busy talking about a mutual acquaintance to let me near an overpriced Benelli Supersport. Over in clothing, there was a gaggle of 3 associates talking about something for the entire time I wandered through the department looking for some long sleeved shirts and there was not a singe person to be found in the fishing section where I wanted to inquire about a $450 fly rod.

I actually did have one sales person at least say hello as I was walking across the mezzanine. That was the sum total interaction I had for my visit.

I miss the local sporting goods stores where the employees were motivated and actually fished and hunted themselves. Service was never a problem and the owner often was on the premises.

I have zero tolerance and the non-hackers get the boot quickly.

Its a business, not a charity.

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:
I’ve been on the sales floor at my new job for two days and I’ve already had to start getting on to a few guys about dicking around.

Just watch your back doing that. They WILL look to retaliate.