Why Every Retailer Should Capture Excellence

Every business has one.

That member of the team who just seems to get it.

Their displays always look fantastic. Their shelves are beautifully stocked and everything they touch seems to look just that little bit better. You almost take it for granted because they make it look so easy.

The trouble is...

They aren't a training manual.

When another member of the team asks how you'd like something to look, we often try to explain it.

"Make it look full."

"Keep it tidy."

"Leave a bit of space."

The problem is that everyone imagines something slightly different.

That's why I think one of the simplest things any retailer can do is start capturing excellence.

Every time someone creates a display you're really proud of, photograph it. Every time the butchery counter looks perfect, take a picture. If someone's produced a beautiful gift hamper or stocked a shelf exactly how you'd like to see it every day, don't just admire it...

Capture it.

Build your own library of excellence.

Before long, you'll have a collection of photographs showing exactly what "great" looks like in your business. They become an incredibly simple training tool because pictures remove the guesswork.

The next time someone asks, "How would you like me to do it?", you don't need a long explanation.

You simply smile...

...and say,

"Like this."

The funny thing is, the best businesses aren't always better because they have better people.

More often, they're better because they've made it easier for ordinary people to do an extraordinary job. They create clear standards, share them consistently and make excellence something everyone can see.

Small improvements like this don't take long.

But they make training easier.

They build confidence.

And they help create consistency, even when your best team member isn't there.

Food for thought this week.

Have a great day,

Mark