Thinking Skills
Level 1
Retail Sales Associates must problem solve when they
- have to manage their time when setting up displays and serving clients at the same timePossible solutions
- may ask co-workers to help
- may ask for overtime to finish the tasks
- discover that merchandise has not been properly taggedPossible solution
- put new tags on it
- find an item left behind by a customerPossible solutions
- check sales records to see who it belongs to, then contact the customer to tell them it is safely at the store
- arrange for someone to deliver the item
- find that a product didn’t arrive on time for a customer to pick upPossible solution
- contact other stores or go see the supplier to get the product as quickly as possible
Level 2
Retail Sales Associates must problem solve when they
- see strange behaviour from customersPossible solution
- contact security or stay near the person to stop a possible theft
- realize the cash register does not work if the power goes outPossible solution
- may have to complete a sale manually
- will follow the security procedures to get customers out of the store until the power is on again
Car Rental Agents must problem solve when they
- realize that the car that a customer has reserved isn’t availablePossible solutions
- contact another store to see if they have the car
- ask the customer if another car is okay
Level 1
Retail Sales Associates
- decide if they should remove items that are dirty or damaged
- decide what the discount will be on a damaged item
- decide if they will match a price offered by another store
Level 2
Retail Sales Associates
- decide if they will accept returns or exchange the item
Car Rental Agents
- track cars available for rental
- decide when to stop taking reservations for certain types of cars
Level 3
Retail Sales Associates
- decide how to change the setup of the store displays to fit the shape, size and store design
Own Job Planning and Organizing
Retail Sales Associates
- plan their workdays with supervisors
- customer service takes first priority, with other tasks being done at the same timeExamples
- inventory
- promotions and displays
They are often interrupted by walk-in customers.
- customer service takes first priority, with other tasks being done at the same timeExamples
- organize special eventsExamples
- fashion shows
- jewelry shows
- remodeling
- sidewalk sales or group tours
- planning a week or more in advance is needed
Job Planning and Organizing for Others
Planning and working with other staff is needed to
- count inventory
- re-ticket all floor items meeting deadlines
Retail Sales Associates must remember
- passwords and codes that will allow them to use the computer
- technical information of different products
- names of repeat customers and what they like to buy
- seller codes for different items
- how to open and close the store
Level 1
Retail Sales Associates
- contact suppliers or manufacturers to learn more about the products
- contact branch stores to see if items are available for customers
Level 2
Retail Sales Associates
- refer to product books and catalogues to find different product lines
- read manuals to find out how to do a task that isn’t done often
