Having to leave the shop for someone else to run ....

[Doodle-Noodle]

... how do you lot cope with having to leave it all to someone else?
I've got to go in to hospital on Monday and I'm not sure how long I will be out of action - I'm ridiculously worried about how the shop will be managed in my absence.
I've organised everything I think will need to be organised; set up 2 weeks worth of kids activities, scheduled payments to suppliers for invoices that will need to be settled, made sure that stock is up to date etc but knowing I won't be on hand to keep my beady eye on the day to day running is stressing me out.
If you have to take time off, how do you settle yourself?

 

[pen2670]

Not had that luxury yet, but I imagine I would worry that something would come up or customers would go elsewhere if the person holding the fort wasnt 100% knowledgeable.

In reality, it would be fine!

In your case I believe you said previously that you have lots of artists who hire shelf space who can be relied on to lend a hand and enthuse about your products. You also have loyal customers who are more likely to worry about whether you are okay than who is serving them in your absense.

As for the classes, if they like the style of the person running them and it mixes it up a bit, great! You can have a break more often. If it's okay, then they'll appreciate you even more and look forward to your return.

Hope all goes well for you on Monday, relax and enjoy the weekend!

 

[patientlady]

Great advice! Easy to say I know Doodle, but your health is more important than it all. Take care

 

[Merchant UK]

The shop will be fine, do you trust the person your leaving in charge? Thats the main question.

To be honest how would they upset customers so much that they won't come back? Its not as if your leaving the shop to a complete stranger.

You need to train someone up for this sort of responsibility, Not everyone can work 24/7 and you may welcome the extra days off every now and again.

 

[David1962]

The shop shouldn't be a worry. In fact the shop isn't the worry really is it? Your worry is the staff not being committed to the job.

We used to have good staff (only two of them though) and had no worries about leaving them in charge while we had holidays and days off. They were both young(ish) girls who were keen to impress and appreciated the responsibility we trusted them with. Because they joined us just after we opened they also felt they were part of the businesses and cared about it probably as much as we did. On top of this we also paid them a well above average wage and 10% commission on sales over target. What I'm getting at is if you have the right staff, and you have in place incentives (not just cash), then you shouldn't have any problems.

Of course finding these staff isn't always easy. You don't actually say who you are leaving in charge? Maybe if you give a few details others might be able to put your mind at rest. Oh, and don't let them read this thread whoever it is!

 

[kelvin1950]

It's hard, no doubt about that. However, if you've got to do it then all you can do is prepare and it sounds as if you've done that. Easy to say but don't worry, you've been there long enough for your customer base to be strong.

The bit I hate is having to pay them for doing something I should be doing!!!

 

[number42]

The shop shouldn't be a worry. In fact the shop isn't the worry really is it? Your worry is the staff not being committed to the job.

We used to have good staff (only two of them though) and had no worries about leaving them in charge while we had holidays and days off. They were both young(ish) girls who were keen to impress and appreciated the responsibility we trusted them with. Because they joined us just after we opened they also felt they were part of the businesses and cared about it probably as much as we did. On top of this we also paid them a well above average wage and 10% commission on sales over target. What I'm getting at is if you have the right staff, and you have in place incentives (not just cash), then you shouldn't have any problems.

Of course finding these staff isn't always easy. You don't actually say who you are leaving in charge? Maybe if you give a few details others might be able to put your mind at rest. Oh, and don't let them read this thread whoever it is!

Can I ask, when you have performance relates bonuses were they monthly, quarterly or yearly?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David1962]

Can I ask, when you have performance relates bonuses were they monthly, quarterly or yearly?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Daily! But the targets were realistic and usually achieved. What it meant was the staff were always happy to stay open longer if it was busy, they would only be paid commission if they decided to open longer but it was their choice and they often did. They would also be motivated and "hungry" for sales every day. If you are earning commission on a monthly target and by week one they are well down I've found staff generally lose interest.

Basically I knew I needed to make £x per day, anything above that I was more than happy to give 10% to staff. It's win win, many shops go for unrealistic targets that are rarely achieved and that motivates no one.

 

[pen2670]

Hi Doodles

Hope all is well with the shop and, more importantly, that your op went well and you are enjoying some down time while recovering.

all the best xx

 

[RobertLamb61]

you sound like you've got things covered. my advice is to concentrate on yourself and your speedy recovery!

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Thanks for all the messages guys - things have gone a little bit wrong with me but the shop is just fine. Looks like I won't be back in the saddle for a while but now that I'm finally out of hospital I can at least keep an eye on it.
I guess it's a bit like leaving your baby with an overnight sitter for the first time .... you worry yourself sick about it convinced that nobody can burp your precious sprog like you can, only to discover on collection that the baby didn't even notice you hadn't been there.
Another lesson learned I guess!

 

[Anonymouse72]

best wishes for a speedy recovery

 

[pen2670]

Thanks for all the messages guys - things have gone a little bit wrong with me but the shop is just fine. Looks like I won't be back in the saddle for a while but now that I'm finally out of hospital I can at least keep an eye on it.
I guess it's a bit like leaving your baby with an overnight sitter for the first time .... you worry yourself sick about it convinced that nobody can burp your precious sprog like you can, only to discover on collection that the baby didn't even notice you hadn't been there.
Another lesson learned I guess!

Sorry to hear that doodles, hope you are being well looked after and recover quicker than expected!

 

[Hoppimike]

I suppose the trick is finding someone you truly trust to watch things for you. And/or perhaps some way to allow them to "report in" to you?

Only problem is hospitals are a bit funny about mobile phones, so Skype and Facebook might be out of the question

 

[SillyJokes]

well according to every TV show I've ever seen, it'll be a massive disaster.

Get well soon Doodles

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Things are ticking along in the shop - lots of our sellers have helped out and it's kind of OK. Am hoping to make a miraculous recovery and be back in a couple of weeks .... although that could be a bit optimistic. Hospital has told me 8-12 weeks before I can go back to work which is just ridiculous so I am going for a high protein diet in a bid to speed up recovery progress and shall just spend the rest of my time crossing fingers!