Poor service is poor management

Hate being ignored or barely tolerated by shop assistants or staff of a business you are unfortunate enough to have to do business with? The first reaction is to become irritated then angry and then negativity takes a firm hold and you become demonstative or walk out.

Be as angry or upset as you like but the saying a business is only as good as it's staff isn't quite right unless by the term staff you are including all levels of management.

Managers should have staff training sessions, be observant of staff performances and behaviour and not be afraid to ask customers as they leave the store about the standard of service they received.

If management doesn't care enough to be more involved in staff attitude, product knowledge and the general hygiene and presentation of their staff, then that whole attitude is allowed to permeate through all aspects of the business. When a good staff member works in such an environment they usually seek employment elsewhere. Why? Because if the other staff are slack the good staff are taking the full brunt of the work and getting very little in return. A big disappointment for good staff is the lack of acknowledgement and respect given by management. The saying the customer is always right is truly disrespectful to a good salesperson. The customer will buy what they want and that is not always good for business, because if it isn't really what they need or won't do what they expect - Retailer beware. Good service is about a salesperson respecting the customer but not at the cost of disregarding product knowledge, or clients needs. The client is only always right if they come to a store requesting assistance in making a decision on the best product to meet their needs and their budget.

Managers must therefore take full responsibility when staff fail to assist clients in realising what it is they need and what product provides best value for money (if there is a choice of brands).

Managers who allow staff - read representatives of the company - to dress inappropriately or have poor hygiene practices, poor communication skills and minimal product knowledge deserve to lose you business. Don't berate the staff - it will change nothing, but affect your blood pressure. Speak to management or leave the store and tell everyone about the bad service. Word of mouth is the best form of promoting or demoting businesses.