What’s Happening
Six Ways to Improve Store Culture When it comes to nurturing a positive store culture, retailers agree that small changes can go a long way. Staying organized, keeping the shop and showroom clean, and demonstrating care and concern to both team members and clients will transform a workplace atmosphere for the better. WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
#1 Say Thank You With Small Gestures
In Waterbury, Conn., KarTele Mobile Electronics celebrated 25 years in business this April. The shop has held a positive reputation in the area for a long time, according to owner Mike Hungerford, who took over about two years ago. “To celebrate, we’re running a bunch of specials on backup cameras and remote starters,” he said. When it comes to maintaining a positive store culture, he said it’s the little things that count the most. “I feel like a lot of little things make a big impact without having to really try that hard,” Hungerford added. “I’ll have coffee ready for them in the morning, and I’ll buy lunch three out of the five days of the work week.” To begin building and maintaining a positive store culture, retailers agree there are a number of small changes owners and managers can make today.
When it comes to the stress of the everyday work week, it helps to reward the team. At Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security, the business often buys lunch for everyone. “We get really busy, especially in the wintertime, because we do a ton of remote start systems,” said Robert Kowatch, a sales manager at the shop. “We can average anywhere from 15 to 20 cars a day, which is amazing. So, we buy lunch for everyone. We do that quite often, and it allows us to not have to take extra time to get food.” Hungerford noted the importance of thanking the team. “At the end of every day, whether we leave early or if it’s a late night, I always say thank you to my team for their work that day. Even if they were only in for a few hours or a whole day.” Even though they’re getting paid to be there, saying thank you can build confidence, instill pride in one’s work and
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encourage employees to feel as if they’re part of something bigger.
#2 Nurture an Attitude of Belonging Even something as simple as uniforms can make employees feel as if they’re part of something greater than themselves, Hungerford said. “Even if I have a subcontractor coming in who works on a Saturday because that’s our busiest day, I’ll give him a polo shirt to wear that day,” he added. “While you’re here—here’s a shirt, have fun and be part of the team.” Creating that sense of belonging encourages employees to be more open and communicative. Additionally, allowing for leeway when it comes to personal and family time is important, too. “One of my installers is female, and she had a baby. She was worried she wasn’t going to be able to work. I said, bring him in,” Hungerford explained. “So, all last winter we had a toddler running around,
