There’s little room for error in today’s tug of war between online giants and brick-and-mortar furniture retailers. The latter need to be at the top of their game, leveraging the unique, but often hidden strengths that each employee possesses to gain a competitive advantage.
Unfortunately, Lorri Kelley, former president of BDi Furniture and now a retail adviser, sees more furniture retailers too busy elsewhere in their store to tap into their employees’ hidden strengths. Her seminar at the Home Furnishings Association’s Resource Center On Monday, Jan. 27, at Las Vegas Market is designed with those retailers – maybe you’re one of them? – in mind.
Kelley’s seminar, “Sales management excellence: How to get the most from your sales professionals,” will discuss the importance of finding and leveraging those strengths across your store’s various departments.
Improving customer experience
Kelley knows that with today’s tight labor market, furniture retailers can find it tough to staff a sales floor with qualified sales associates. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to have a successful training program in place to give customers a wonderful experience,” says Kelley.
Kelley will share how retailers can leverage StrengthsFinder, the wildly popular best-seller for unearthing those hidden strengths and show retailers how to apply those newfound skills at work.
“You’ve hired these people to help make your business a success, but are you really using them to the best of their ability?” Kelley asks. “I want to show retailers not just what strengths their employees have, but what makes them tick, too. Because when someone is motivated, when they think their job is not just a job, it’s a calling, you will see amazing results. Suddenly they’re excited to come to work because it’s more than just work.”
Kelley’s seminar runs from 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 27 in the HFA’s Resource Center, B1050. The Resource Center is a one-stop shop for furniture retailers at Las Vegas and High Point markets. The center offers educational seminars, vendors to help retailers with their business and complimentary food and beverage. For more information on other seminars at Las Vegas market, click here.
