Did you know nearly one-third of all retail workers get no training at all? This study by Axonify also reveals up to 27% of employees who do receive training stated it was ineffective because it was boring and not engaging.

Retail sales staff, who represent the face and initial contact point of a company, play a crucial role. They are the ambassadors of the brand and create critical customer experiences that can either make or break a sale. Despite what many think, traditional retail continues to dominate, with personal interactions significantly affecting sales outcomes. Therefore, investing in your team's retail abilities is crucial.

But what's the best way to enhance your training programs? Effective learning strategies are those that leave a lasting impression on your team. Here are eight strategies to elevate your training efforts:

 

1. Define Clear, Measurable Objectives

Without clear and measurable objectives, your team might not see the value in training. Vague goals like "increase sales" are often not effective. Instead, focus on achievable objectives such as completing specific lessons or passing quizzes.

Clear goals facilitate progress by providing a roadmap for employees, making training more engaging and motivating.

Set small, attainable objectives that contribute to an overarching goal. Stay away from unrealistic targets and aim for a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG), as coined by Jim Collins, which is ambitious yet achievable through training.

 

2. Customize Training to Fit Different Personalities

Recognize the uniqueness of each employee, including their learning needs, motivations, and experiences. A generic approach may not be effective for everyone. Tailoring the training to fit individual needs maximizes its success.

Invest time in understanding your employees to determine the most effective training methods for each person.

 

3. Answer the "What's In It For Me?" Question

The WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?) question is fundamental to understanding individual motivation. People naturally look for personal benefits. Highlighting the advantages of training, such as its impact on earnings, sales skills, career advancement, or rewards, can motivate participation.

Clarify the benefits right from the start to motivate your team from the beginning.

 

4. Motivate with Incentives

Building on the previous point, motivation is key to engaging participants in the training process. Offer incentives like gift cards, physical prizes, or workplace benefits. Consider points or currency systems for rewards. Even recognition or gamification can boost engagement.

The Intel® Retail Edge Program has successfully used incentives to motivate sales staff for over two decades!

 

5. Incorporate a Variety of Learning Styles

People learn in various ways, including visually, audibly, and through hands-on experience. Most benefit from a mix of these styles.

Incorporate diverse training methods to cater to different learning preferences and avoid over-reliance on any single approach.

 

6. Keep Training Concise

The average attention span during training is only 11 minutes. After that, engagement typically drops.

Avoid lengthy sessions. Opt for modular or microlearning formats, ideally 5-7 minutes long, to keep your team engaged and improve information retention.

 

7. Promote a Community Atmosphere

Research from the University of Minnesota shows learning is enhanced through interaction. While group learning isn’t necessary, creating a sense of community can be beneficial.

Encourage discussions, feedback, and dialogue about the training content through online training platforms.
 

8. Regularly Assess and Adjust

Use assessments to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. Implement tests or quizzes before and after training sessions to evaluate their effectiveness and pinpoint weaknesses.

Feedback loops are also valuable for continuous improvement and training enhancement.

 

Empower Your Team for Success

Even with in-demand products, your retail staff's performance can significantly influence sales. Effective training prepares each team member to be the product expert customers expect. Apply these strategies to ensure your training efforts are impactful!

The Intel® Retail Edge Program is a dynamic educational and community platform that equips retail employees with the necessary tools to succeed on the sales floor by guiding customers to the best PC options. We incorporate the methods discussed above to deepen knowledge of Intel® products and enhance the customer experience.

Explore the Intel® Retail Edge Program today and see how it can transform your retail team and boost sales.

 

 

 

This article originally appeared on the Intel® Retail Edge Program blog.

 

Notices and Disclaimers

© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel trademarks are the property of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other product names and brands may be the property of their respective owners.