The news reports over recent weeks are enough to make any newsagent worry about business. Worrying achieves nothing positive. Indeed, it can suck you into pursuing failure.
Ignoring the economic news, we are using our point of sale software to pursue growth. Plenty of smart newsagents with good software are doing this. Things like using the software to marketing the business at every opportunity, to improve customer service and to cut labour costs.
The staff roster is a good example. Using your point of sale software to manage your roster makes it easy to make changes. At the risk of humiliation I’d suggest the Coco Chanel approach to rostering.
Since many newsagency employees read this blog, I have a revenue raising suggestion for you to balance the above suggestion that your boss cut hours from the roster: If you are responsible for a part of the newsagency in which you work, ask to see sales and other reports which compare this year to last. Get into as much details as possible Look a your area as if your future depends on you achieving cost savings or sales growth of, better still, both. By you thinking about your part of the business as an owner and with access to new data about your area you are likely to drive a good result for the business and for you.
My point is that smart newsagent computer systems can be your best friend in tough times. Use them to their fullest and worry less.
I’d suggest category management approach be adopted: Every staff member is made accountable for the performance (ordering, display, promotion – everything) of ONE category. If you empower the people they might just surprise you. Even that 16 yo pimply school kid has ideas that can strengthen your business.
Warren Buffett says: “If you wait for the robins, you will miss Spring.”