6 Actionable Strategies To Retain Your Store Staff

Small businesses usually have limited resources, so keeping good employees is one of the keys to their success. They prioritize employee retention since replacing employees, especially productive ones, costs time and money.

Here are some methods to enhance office morale while ensuring that top employees stay with you and not your competitors.

1. Give more positive feedback.

As an owner, give your staff a positive response frequently to motivate them and determine their best work. But don't forget to provide constructive feedback, especially when there's an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.

But be aware of the number of negative comments you're making compared to positive ones. Increase the number of positive comments to six for every negative word. An example of positive feedback is, "I liked how you confidently provide suggestions to customers whenever they ask you about clothing trends nowadays.

And if you want to give negative feedback to your staff, try to rephrase it into a positive note. For example, instead of saying, "You haven't achieved your targets," I'm concerned that it will harm the team's performance, " You can say, "You haven't met your goals, but I am aware of how hard you have worked." Is there anything I can do to help you overcome any obstacles? "

2. Treat your employees with respect.

In every workplace, employers and employees can demonstrate respect in various ways. Here are some ideas to show respect in the workplace and raise your team's respect levels:

• Pay attention to what your staff has to say and give them a chance to share ideas.

• When talking to your employees, be aware of your tone, body language, expression, and demeanor.

• Recognition of their abilities and successes

• Use basic decency and kindness.

• Avoid bias (even implicit bias) or favoritism.

• Participate in meetings, conversations, and celebrations with everyone.

• Use your employees' ideas to increase productivity and efficiency.

• Don't insult, nitpick, criticize, or talk behind their backs.

Don't forget to always greet them with a smile and a cheerful "good morning." Instead of interrogating them about tasks they need to finish, ask if they require any assistance (and provide them with the help they need).

3. Encourage your employees to provide you with feedback.

Giving feedback to your employees is one thing, but you must also accept feedback from them. Receiving feedback, views, and ideas from your staff may assist you in making improvements to your company and identifying development prospects.

You won't get too much response when you ask, "Do you have any feedback?" Employees will either not provide comments or only share positive feedback. But if you ask for more specific feedback, such as "What can I improve on?" or "How can I be a better manager?", you'll get a more helpful response that will help you advance as a manager.

Let your employees know you've heard and understood their input after actively listening to it. Also, inform them of your intention to act. For example, if an employee complains that they haven't gotten enough training to thrive in their current position, explain how you'll provide more training, such as by providing more one-on-one coaching.

4. Provide a good compensation plan.

Employee retention improves when the correct compensation strategy is in place. Benefits, as well as any other bonuses, are included in the right compensation plan. You can include these ideas in your employee's compensation plan.

• Keep the incentive portion of your plan as basic as possible.

• Pay them as much as, or more than, your competitors.

• Incentive plans for employees working in different areas should not vary. The wage part should be adjusted to reflect the local cost of living to avoid penalizing employees who live in more expensive cities.

• Provide them with non-financial rewards based on their performance. For example, give them an annual trip reward to achieve their yearly sales goal.

5. Promoting a healthy work-life balance

Employees consider the work environment, in addition to compensation, while determining whether or not to continue with your company. Owners must be creative with rules that address work-life balance to create a healthy work environment that encourages people to stay. Consider how you can provide these methods to your employees, which they will greatly appreciate.

• Organize "walking meetings" instead of gathering in a stuffy conference room. Ideas will flow more easily when your body moves and your blood flows, and you and your staff will feel better overall.

• Give them a flexible schedule.

• Allow them to prioritize family situations when they arise.

• Be a role model. For example, if you take a personal day to spend time with your family but still respond to non-essential emails and work-related phone calls, your staff will also feel obligated to do so.

6. Earn the trust of your employees.

Trust implies that your workers work in an environment that values honesty, psychological safety, and mutual respect. They are more eager to go above and beyond your business because they are proud of where they work. Employees feel more comfortable in their positions when there is trust in the workplace, minimizing turnover. Here are some ways to earn their respect that you can apply to your small boutique store.

• Invite them to express themselves, and when they do, listen carefully.

• Make a personal connection with your staff. For example, you can join your team during breaks or have small talk while there are no customers.

• Share as much information as possible about the company's current state and future goals.

• Don't just give orders. Encourage and motivate them to do a task. They will trust you if you trust them.

Boost Employee Retention

In the clothing industry, competition exists at every level of business. You will produce better products and services if you have quality staff. You'll be able to sell and market your products and services more effectively than competitors with a lower level of qualifications.

If you don't keep your top staff, your competitors will certainly hire them. This tactic takes your company's talent and turns it into a competitor's asset. You should safeguard your employees' trade secrets and intellectual property the same way you protect your competitors' trade secrets and intellectual property. Maintain an appealing, supportive, and ethical work environment where employees want to advance their careers.