• For Buyers
    • Retail News
    • Products & Suppliers
    • Ecommerce
    • Marketing & Management
    • Trade Show News
  • For Suppliers
    • Supplier News
    • Marketing & Management
    • Importing
    • Manufacturers
    • Warehousing
    • Finance
    • Show Exhibiting
  • Wholesale 101
  • Trade Show Calendar
  • Wholesale Products
  • New Suppliers
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Thursday, February 9
  • Subscribe
  • Submit Content
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Advertise
    • Display Advertising
    • Email Marketing Campaigns
    • Newsletter Advertising
    • Sponsored Content
    • Lead Generation Services
  • Top Product Sources
Facebook Twitter Instagram
WholesaleCentral.com Blog
  • For Buyers
    • Retail News
    • Products & Suppliers
    • Ecommerce
    • Marketing & Management
    • Trade Show News
  • For Suppliers
    • Supplier News
    • Marketing & Management
    • Importing
    • Manufacturers
    • Warehousing
    • Finance
    • Show Exhibiting
  • Wholesale 101
  • Trade Show Calendar
  • Wholesale Products
  • New Suppliers
WholesaleCentral.com Blog
Home»For Buyers»Marketing & Management»Who You Should Hire First
Marketing & Management

Who You Should Hire First

PublisherBy PublisherSeptember 19, 20123 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email
Share
Facebook Twitter Email

image of who to hire firstRetailers have long relied on strong salespeople to help serve customers in their stores. These employees perform tasks ranging from keeping an eye on inventory to helping customers who call with questions. The Internet, however, initiated a shift in the role of the salesperson, because customers now access products and answer their own questions with the click of a mouse. Many small business owners are turning to web developers and online marketers in an effort to establish a web presence for their businesses, and meet the needs of today’s shoppers, but for owners who cannot accommodate the expense of hiring both salespeople for their stores and web developers for their sites, there is one pressing question. Who should be hired first? The answer depends on the current state of affairs at each individual store and, for retailers who operate several brick and mortars, there may be more than one solution.

Establishing a clear definition of sales staff roles is essential at each physical store. Certain retail businesses require very little hard selling, and employees’ primary duties are to care for customers at the doors or register. What is often overlooked, however, is their ability to help business owners keep a finger on the pulse of consumer trends. By engaging with customers face to face, salespeople are able to source information simply through conversation. Their job is to help manage customer relationships, as well as to help generate profits and, for some retailers, this is a vital position to fill. If a retailer finds that his or her sales force is already strong, but online business is lacking or yet to be tapped, is an additional salesperson the right candidate for an open, untitled position? Perhaps.

Salespeople Can Work With a New Set of Tools

Regarding hiring web development staff, marketing analyst  John Jantsch offers unique insights in defense of salespeople. “My take on the difference between sales and marketing has always been that marketing has always been tasked with owning the message. Today, marketers no longer have control of how the message is consumed, packaged and heard. Salespeople have an entirely new set of tools to mine, build, nurture and convert leads, and are no longer tied to relationships built on location.” Though it may be appropriate for brick and mortar businesses to investigate web development options and create a firm goal, hiring the right sales representatives can be just as beneficial. Look for qualities that signify the job candidate is marketing minded. “They should think like a publisher and build their own expertise, by sharing an online platform with the business,” Jantsch suggests. The ideal candidate would also facilitate community and peer discussion between customers and partners, either via social media or other digital communications, such as email. There have been dramatic shifts in retail roles over the last several years, with no pause in sight. However, retailers who begin to look for employees fitting this new set of criteria will secure their own success in the long run.

employment management sales small business
Share. Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleSmall Business Owner Survey
Next Article Operations and Loss Prevention

Related Posts

Technology to Prepare Your Store for the Future

January 19, 2023

How to Create a Google Business Profile

January 18, 2023

Prepare Your Business for Supply Chain Disruptions

December 22, 2022
Sign Up for Buyer Updates
WholesaleCentral.com

Join the Buyer's Network

Get news & updates only for retailers.

Latest Posts

Overstock Liquidations

January 25, 2023

5 Essential Tax Season Preparation Tips

January 24, 2023

Top 10 Closeout & Liquidation Suppliers

January 20, 2023

Technology to Prepare Your Store for the Future

January 19, 2023

Best Video Marketing Tips for Retailers

January 19, 2023

Winning With General Merchandise

January 18, 2023
how-to
Product News

Overstock Liquidations

January 25, 20236 Mins Read

Overstock inventory refers to the excess goods or merchandise that a retailer has on hand…

Retail News

5 Essential Tax Season Preparation Tips

January 24, 202310 Mins Read

Are you ready for tax season? April 18 is approaching quickly, and many day-to-day decisions…

Wholesale 101 for Buyers

How to Create a Google Business Profile

January 18, 20236 Mins Read

Looking for new ways to get your brand noticed? Creating a Google Business Profile can…

Retail News

Using Color Theory in Window Displays to Increase Foot Traffic

December 1, 20224 Mins Read

by Melissa Stivale While we do not often stop to think about how much color…

  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Find Wholesale Sources
WholesaleCentral.com

Join the Buyer's Network

Get news & updates only for retailers.

Follow Us:

Copyright © 2023. Sumner Communications, Inc..

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.