Store Manager Training for mutli-store operations

Many small to medium level Service Station and C-Store business operations include more than one or two stores in their networks. As a retail operation expands the number of stores that they run, it becomes necessary to recruit and appoint Store Managers or Supervisors as the original owner/investor finds that they are not able to run all the stores as a hands on operator any more.

It appears to be common practice for these types of operations to identify existing staff who seem to be excellent at their job in giving customer service and so forth, and promoting them to assistant manager or store manager. However, in many cases very little supervisor or retail training is provided for them to effectively "manage the store" or "lead the team of people at the store".

Running the daily operations of a C-Store and/or Service Station requires a huge amount of motivation, commitment and competencies in various small business practices. This is often overlooked by small and medium retail operations. There is an expectation that because they were a great frontline staff member, they will also be a great supervisor. Most retail businesses have solid staff induction programs today, but there is less attention paid to providing opportunities to learn the skills of management and leadership.

Store Managers need to develop competencies in many areas, such as:

  • Leadership and performance management - engaging staff and getting great productivity from them
  • Interviewing and recruitment
  • Staff motivation, feedback and counselling
  • Monitoring customer service and store sales programs
  • Implementing and maintaining effective merchandising and standards
  • Controlling store budgets and monitoring results
  • Ensuring compliance in all legislative obligations such as Workplace Safety, Food Safety and Retail Trading Laws
  • Training and inducting new staff

And the list goes on...

What is the best method of developing these skills for your supervisors and store managers> It is not often feasible to send them off to college to a business or people management course. An effective method is to use the workplace to assist develop them. Matching hands on experience in the workplace with a structured management training program delivered as workplace based (self-paced) training supported by coaches and mentors is an effective method for a store manager/supervisor to grow their management and leadership skills while they run your business.

atmp's workshop based and self-paced training programs for Retail Management are aligned to National Qualifications at Certificate IV level in Retail Management and Frontline Management - Business. They have flexible delivery options to suit various requirements - call today to discuss what method and program is best for your C-Store Managers and Assistant Managers.

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