Season-Proofing Your Operation By Job Function

In the March issue of Hardware Retailing, retailers shared insights on how to protect an operation against the ebbs and flows of the seasons. As you look to implement best practices for guarding against the seasons, here is a checklist of action items for employees at all levels in the company, from owner to sales associate. 

Owners

• Create a season-proofing plan. Look for other areas of the operation where you can save money or bring in additional income to supplement seasonal sales drops. 
• Regularly evaluate the season-proofing plan. Each year when you review finances, consider seasonal fluctuations and how those should factor into the coming year’s budget. 

Managers

• Know and understand the season-proofing plan. As the front line to the effects of changing seasons, you are in a prime position to help ownership finesse the seasonal plans to best benefit the operation.
• Train employees on the season-proofing plan. Make sure employees on your team also understand the plan and can implement their portions of it. 

Sales Associates

• Be proactive. During slow times, take advantage to clean and organize the store, take training courses and brush up on customer service skills. 
• Support leadership. Work with your manager to understand the season-proofing plan and the ways you can best support it.