Why you should never be quiet

It reminded me of some research I was doing into running my first computer store... was it for me? how would it work? and what was going to make me successful. I was working as a sales consultant and was meeting 20-30 shopowners a day so quickly got to tell a good shop from a bad one but, I didn't know enough to understand why.

So, I got into the habit of asking shop owners what they thought was important and of the many lessons I learned, the following one shone through and has helped me and now it will help you.

Amongst many lessons I learned this one has kept me and my shops in business throughout all the good times, bad times and importantly - the quiet times.

I met a guy once who was very successful. I didn't ask him but I was learning the retail trade and he said...

"Do you see those people in shops who when things are quiet, sit down and read a paper, or watch a TV and generally lounge around waiting for a customer?"

I nodded and he explained.

"When a customer comes in they see a lazy, shiftless son of a bitch that won't lift a finger to help himself or his business, their opinion of him drops to the floor and their expectations of good service plummets"

He turned around and surveyed his store, and continued

"When any of my stores go quiet the staff are trained to go around and do all the jobs that they don't have time to do when there are customers in the shop, that way when it turns busy again the store is in spanking condition and everything is ready for them to do business"

He wagged his finger at me and finished "the difference between a shopkeeper and a businessman is what happens when there is noone in the shop"

Now, when things are quiet, I get busy...........when a customer walks in he sees me working on improving the store, tidying stock, cleaning shelves and generally being industrious - it impresses the hell out of them.

I'm not in shops any more but, the rules are still the same...........PREPARE for business