Discover the benefits of effective onboarding in luxury retail to better prepare new hires, delight customers and boost company success through innovative and engaging methods.
Why is onboarding so important and what it means for your new hires, company, and customers.
Yes, you read it right: customers, since they are the deciding factor if your company will be successful. In this blog, we will explore why onboarding is vital and how it impacts various stakeholders.
A proper onboarding program in luxury retail, in my opinion, should be interactive, fun and challenging.
Interactive
Since sales advisors are not used to sitting on their bum all day and you want to see them interact with their colleagues and trainers. This also gives a good indication of their social skills, teamwork and where the training should focus on.
Fun
People want to have a good time at work and fun activities make the learning process enjoyable, enhancing retention and engagement.
Challenging
People start learning when you “pull” them out of their comfort zone. Do not “pull” the new team member into the stress zone, then you would fail to hit the mark.Take into account when doing a successful onboarding that different people learn in different ways, therefore you should cater to this by using different training methods.
How often do see you new hires coming in the store on their first day and nobody is aware, there is no program. Not even a very basic one. I say this from personal experience…. The store manager decides on the spot what the new hire should do, which is often a chore in the stock-room something like folding knitwear. Does that sound familiar?
A proper onboarding has immediate impact on the new hire. They are ready to contribute to your team’s success from day one. The new team members will feel valued and appreciated, setting a positive tone for their journey with your company. It will give them a confidence boost. After completing the program, your new hires will be ready to hit the ground running, armed with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
New hires will come in on their first day excited, with high expectations and a little nervous. They signed the contract, told their family, friends and ex-colleagues about their new career step. As a company the least you want to do is meet their expectations but in the ideal situation exceed them.
A good onboarding helps employees feel more engaged and loyal. Employees who feel valued and are well-prepared are more likely to speak positively about the company, enhancing its reputation as an employer of choice. The other major benefit is that new team members will get productive faster and are more productive overall.
This is most important! When in luxury retail, customers come in with high expectations and the selling ceremony should be spot on. In a good onboarding program, there should be plenty of room for this. The knowledge of the product is important, story-telling is key, but what sets a mono- or multi-brand store apart is how well the sales advisor connects with the customer. If this is not on point all the product knowledge gained is useless.
If the customer does not want to buy with you or does not feel a connection it all ends there.
In conclusion, an effective onboarding program is a vital investment for luxury retail companies. It contributes to a positive work environment, enhances overall company performance and ensures that new hires are well-prepared to meet customer expectations. By prioritizing onboarding you can create a strong foundation for success and growth. With our tailor made onboarding module we can help you refine your onboarding process and show you the impact it can have on your business. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re interested!
Contact us today to discuss the possibilities.
