|
|
Essential Strengths of Front-line Employees
by Barbara Wold
How sales personnel engage customers can make or break a retail store. Most customers assume that small, local stores generally have a bigger focus on customer-care excellence. However, this isn’t always the case. Big box retailers also can harness the power of engagement. It all boils down to how employees relate to customers. 
Whether or not you need or want the help, you can’t help but be pleased when you are shown attention. Feeling important and welcome are two of our most basic needs.
It’s all about the initial engagement and how the engagement commences that determines how the rest of the shopping experience will go. What skills and qualities are required by retail sales associates to facilitate positive initial engagements with customers?
- Confidence: The confidence to make eye contact and strike up a conversation with strangers is absolutely essential.
- Innate friendliness: Customers don’t want to deal with sales associates who have to force themselves to be pleasant and nice.
- Flexibility: When dealing with the public, things can go wrong. You have to be flexible enough to roll with the punches and think outside the box sometimes.
- Ability to multitask: Sales associates have to juggle customers and their questions and needs, and at the same time attend to their other store duties.
- Patience: Dealing with people means that you will have to take the good with the bad. The patience to deal with all types of customers is vital.
- Articulate: Sales reps must be conversational and have the ability to formulate answers and provide information when asked.
- Respectful: The customer might not always be right, but she is always the customer. Customers must be treated with respect, even in the most challenging situations.
- Proactive: It’s never a good idea to wait until a customer is stressed or agitated before offering assistance. Being one step ahead to gauge when someone needs help is the best way to minimize a brewing situation.
- Positivity: The ability to smile in the face of a long and possibly chaotic day can make a world of difference to customers.
- Empathy: Being able to look at a situation through the eyes of a customer is an extremely valuable skill that can enable you to provide the highest degree of service.
At the end of the day, it’s all about how a sales associate interacts with a customer. Sales associates are the front-line representatives of a store and business. How that interaction goes will ultimately determine if that customer will buy and recommend the store to her friends and family, or turn around and walk out, never to return again.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Give your people room to run beyond your boundaries. . . ENCOURAGE them to run . . . You will succeed if your people are encouraged to create value and build coalitions across the organization." -- Art Petty, writing at ArtPetty.com
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Barbara Wold is a street-smart, down-to-earth business speaker, presenting topics from sales and marketing to customer service and tourism. She is an international speaker who has "WOWED" over 900,000 people from 49 of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, India and the United Arab Emirates.
|
Featured Vendors
 indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
 The Artisan Connection is a wholesale site that features three lines: Fly By South, Home Appétit, and Marilyn's. The lines feature gourmet sauces, oils crackers, fruitcake and gifts. All are Made in USA.
| |
 Badash Crystal : Our broad selection of mouth blown tabletop and decorative accessories from around the world will surely meet your needs. Every piece is individually and safely boxed. We offer superb quality and value for all your gift giving, bridal and/or personal pleasure.
| |
 BICO Pacific is renowned for its hand-polished silver-plated pewter pendant. It is a pendant that is characteristically BICO because of its original design and unique finish. It bridges fashion barriers and hovers between the infused worlds of street and surf cultures. Our brand likes to keep one foot in the future and the other in the past.
| |
 Camille Beckman is known worldwide for the quality of their fine creams and lotions. For the past 18 years, this 'Made in America' product has been rated #1 in the personal care industry and continues to offer formulas based on rich and wholesome ingredients, blending small batches and using hand-crafted, old-fashioned methods that create a difference you can feel! Being that personal care products are an indispensable item for many gift shops, Camille Beckman is a natural choice because of their 27 years of service to the locally owned gift industry.
| |
 Clarissa Tumblers: The Clarissa Tumblers' motto is: There's no order that's too big or too small - we do them all! Our customers are our priority and enjoy receiving our services to provide them with quality custom and personalized tumblers for their weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, golf tournaments, family reunions, custom brand marketing, and more. Clarissa Tumblers is passionate about tumblers, and knows that their tumblers are second to none, and pride themselves on their superior customer service.
| |
 Coast Lamp Manufacturing was established and incorporated in the state of Florida in 1955. Now, a North Carolina Corporation since 1975, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a family owned and operated company. Our product is UL/ULC listed and approved and made in the USA. Customer satisfaction and a long lasting relationship are our goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
| |
 C'Zire by Lamar Creations - "...your heart's desire" - provides turnkey jewelry programs featuring industry leading quality Cubic Zirconia jewelry. Our jewelry is produced at the same standards as fine jewelry. We cast our jewelry in jewelers bronze also known as brass, the most expensive and durable material used in costume jewelry. We hand polish every piece to a mirror like finish and then hand set high quality Cubic Zirconia stones. We use a double thick genuine rhodium or 18K gold electroplating for lasting wear.
| |
 Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.
| |
 Elegant Baby Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Products ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.
| |
 FoneFace features fun, colorful, stretchable smart phone covers, "created by a kid for kids". Christian "Crash" Sanchez was a high school freshman when he created the fun covers many with an animal theme.
| |
 Gently Spoken: Our dream is to touch a million hearts with words of affirmation and encouragement. Thanks to YOU, our dream is becoming a reality. PEAS are changing hearts and lives! Turn the pages and you'll discover why. Featuring the "Eat Your Peas" books.
| |
 GetSassy's has fun, colorful, cool, hip gifts that are sure to bring a smile to everyones face! From flour sack towels to baby and toddler t-shirts, koozies, wooden memo holders and linens, Get Sassys designs make shopping fun!
| |
 Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
| |
 Goods 4 U Global is a sales rep agency "caring and sharing Artisan goods from around the globe," offering handmade, fair trade, socially responsible goods created by local artisans in many countries.
| |
 Greenbriar Pottery: Our Ceramic products are made using custom clay and glaze formulas. Each piece is reduction fired to 2380 degrees making them highly functional. All of our products can be used decoratively and functionally. Each item has have been hi-fired to 2300+ degrees. This provides oven-safe stoneware for everyday. The clay and glaze formulas are custom and made from scratch. No commercial glazes used here.
| |
 Invenio Enterprises: Easylight Glasses are without any doubt, the greatest eyewear innovation of the last decade. Easylight aren't just simple reading glasses. Thanks to two LED bulbs inserted in the glasses frame that can be turned on independenty, they can be used in any situation of poor illumination.
| |
 Isa's Naturals is a forward thinking personal-care products company. Our products include therapeutic bath salts, body cleansers and moisturizers. At Isa's, we draw our inspiration from Ethnobotany - the relationship between people and plants.
| |
 JTP Wholesale : JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed bathroom tissue, coasters and a line of t-shirts for the young and old: Future Jock t-shirts and onesies and X-Jock adult t-shirts.
| |
 Leslie Handpainted Glass : Leslie Hand Painted Glass is Proudly Painting in Portland Oregon USA
Specializing in Custom & Regionally Specific Designs - Personalized Wedding & Bridal Parties - Corporate Gifts & Events.
| |
 Limelight Imports: Limelight Imports is a wholesale manufacturer and distributor of whimsical jewelry and key chains.Our pieces are designed to create smiles, spread laughter and offer fun, yet affordable jewelry and key chains with a twist. All of the products of Limelight Imports have a special connection to family, friends and cherished memories.
| |
 Malibu Creations collection of affordably chic home décor will turn your decorating daydreams into reality with fun and stylish designs inspired by the warm colors of sun-kissed beaches, the refreshing comforts of mountainside resorts, and the vibrance of today's active lifestyle. Malibu Creations believes you should be able to decorate and redecorate your home as inspiration strikes, and with the company's smart prices, you don't have to miss out on a single design trend you love. Live your life in affordable luxury as you spend time with family and friends in your beautifully decorated home, enjoying an evening of dining on the patio or just relaxing in a cozy, sunny nook in the living room.
| |
 Nicole Brayden Gifts : A bright and fun collection of stationery, mugs, party supplies, handbags and many other cute gifts.
| |
 Pure Factory Naturals: With over a decade of experience in natural skin care, PUREfactory Naturals delivers a fresh and fun approach with a modern and sincere take on skin care. Our commitment speaks loud and clear: natural is best and simplicity is beautiful.
| |
 Qwertylook is a Research and Development company based in Atlanta, Georgia. We are driven by passion, pride and commitment to create the most unique solutions to real challenges our society faces daily. QWERTYZ Mobile Readers – a mobile reading system attached to smartphones, tablets or laptops to promote the convenient reliable alternative to tethering or carrying traditional reading glasses.
 Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.: All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
| |
 Richard E. Bishop Features Men's gifts like glass and mug sets, decanter sets, and "Tipsy Wine Glasses". Also the company features a variety of old-book-themed photo albums, binders and storage boxes.
| |
 Seeds of Happiness started out as leftover lumps of clay Mark Borella made into little smiles to give out to friends who were going through hard times and need a little smile. That was in 2006. Since then Mark has given out thousands of smiles to folks, a handful at a time. In turn, they share them and the story with their friends in need of a smile. Those people then share with more friends and keep the story going. Seeds of Happiness are all over the planet by now.
| |
 snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
| |
 Stupell Industries : one of America's premier suppliers of handcrafted decorative accessories for upscale homes and offices. In business for over 30 years, our line includes a wide variety of baby products, kitchen and bathroom plaques, wall hangings, faux windows, picture frames, and other unique decorative objects. We are constantly enlarging and updating our product offering to keep abreast of the latest trends and styles in the fast-paced home decorative market.
| |
 Sunbelt Marketing Group, Inc. Licensed and non-licensed products tailored for the men's market. Items include both functional and decorative giftware for the home, i.e. wall décor, clocks, shelves, coat and key racks, etc. Licenses include Coca-Cola, General Motors, Ford, Carroll Shelby, Farmall, John Wayne and Elvis Presley. Product mediums include wood, resin, ceramic, glass and mixed mediums. Sunbeltgifts recently developed its own line of gifts for the aviation market and acts as a contract manufacturer.
| |
 Sunday Greetings
is a greeting card company that started when Brenda Kellman made a homemade birthday card for her husband Alan. Brenda's photography is on the cover of the company's greeting cards for every occasion.
| |
 Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
| |
 Under Stella's Umbrella features long-time favorites Bellemonde and Finewhines, plus newer lines like Whispers, as well as Garden Party, The Born Identities, and Pewter-A-Peel. Products range from luggage to tabletop to baby products.
| |
 Unforgettaballs: "The finest collection of artwork printed on baseballs in the world" is our tagline. The products are baseballs with a variety of designs printed on them. Some are images of famous stadiums, and other baseball themes, but others are messages for special occasions or just "Cool Design Baseballs".
| |
 Uniformed Collection: The Uniformed mission is simple, to provide a means for past, present and future service members and their families to strengthen and preserve their memories of serving our great nation. It is about more than just providing an album that looks great: we want our military community and its supporters to feel pride and secure their memories forever, laying the groundwork to inspire others to make a difference by serving.
 Wellspring makes functional products with fresh designs for companies that sell gifts. Great fun and cute personal accessories designed for the purse, stationery designed for organization and Flip Notes- the best-selling slim notepad consistently ranked by retailers as a top 10 in sell through. Perfect 4th quarter pick up gifts at under $10 retail- a sweet spot with today's consumer. Now with collegiate logos! www.WellspringGift.com.
| |
 White Mountain Puzzles is ahead of the pack when it comes to puzzles with educational content. Why not learn something while doing a puzzle? If you love to travel, why not put together an entertaining birds eye view of KEY WEST, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, BOSTON or NEW ENGLAND? Or work on a puzzle of states like MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, OHIO, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA or GEORGIA? Or learn something about PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY or THE CIVIL WAR? These challenging projects take artists like DAVID HARRISON WRIGHT, DEB MARCONI, GARY TORISSI, and MAUREEN RUPPRECHT months to create.
| |
 Zingz And Thingz : Located in Santa Monica, California, Zingz & Thingz proudly offers more than 700 products to retailers. The company's merchandise strengths are in our wide selection of affordable and fun Garden Decor items and our continually expanding Lighting collection. Discover Zingz And Thingz' extensive collection of fun and functional products today and put a little zing in your life.
|
|
Quick Industry News
TRADE SHOW NEWS
Buyers Brave Frigid New York Winter to Attend Toy Fair
NEW YORK - About 13,000 buyers from nearly 100 countries trudged through record snow over Valentine's Day weekend to see what was in store, spring through fourth quarter, at this year's North American International Toy Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center. This year Toy Fair expanded to 422,000 square feet of exhibit space for its nearly 1,100 exhibitors showcasing hundreds of thousands of toys and games releasing this spring and fall for the holiday season. Special events were sponsored by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) (source).
PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
New Wire Wrapped Bangles from Calypso Studios
Calypso Studios is proud to introduce the company's new Wire Wrapped Bangle Collections. There are more than ten collections to choose from! Each come in two different sizes - 2.5-in. and 2.7-in. Calypso Studios creates affordable fashion, faith, and just-for-fun jewelry, bags, and more. Calypso's 2015 catalog includes a wide range of wire wrapped bangles, stylish cork and quatrefoil bags, and vibrant comforting clay crosses- all at affordable prices!
|
|
|
|
|
