@Hardlinesmaster gave you great advice. I hope my advice helps you for your first moments in the role and for the future.
Short term:
1) Talk to your team as Hardlinesmaster said. Specifically talk to your guest service team. You want to be humble as you're not coming from that workcenter and often guest service team members get frustrated calling people they feel knows less than them. The key is to be honest with them. Let them know there is a lot you still need to learn, but you're there for them. I would do this on your first solo day. They will give you respect for your honesty and if they help you, that's half of your worries for the shift right there.
2) Own your development. Spend a lot of time on workbench looking up policies, processes, etc. Everything you need is somewhere on workbench. This gives you an understanding of what is expected.
3) One minute huddles. As your cashiers are coming in greet them, ask them how's everything going, set expectations for the day (RedCards, reshop, zones, etc). Let them know you're there if they need you.
4) First day closing? There is a lot I can mention but most important thing is to make sure you nail the banking process. Have a cashier zone the checklanes, and try to leave 0 reshop. Those are the most basic things.
Most important is the banking. Don't let anyone rush you or distract you.
**** Never ask a team member to do something you wouldn't do ****
Long term:
1) Routines. This means set up routines for cashiers, SCO team members (we have a set team there), guest service, and GSTLs/GSAs. This way you all know what is expected. I'll give you a few examples but ultimately you have to come up with what fits your team:
Ex GSTL Routines
- Mondays (Pre-tie sales planners)
- Tuesdays (equipment audit)
- Wednesdays (execute sales planners)
- Thursdays (personal cashier training)
- Fridays (RedCard Performance recap)
Ours is way more detailed but that's the idea. You want to have each area have routines. Each day we come in we know what the focus is for that day.
2) Development, development, development! Going hand and hand with personal training, try to grab a team member and teach them something outside of the box. For example partner with the backroom for them to learn things that'll benefit your workcenter and them. Also if it's something you don't know learn with the team member. Teach them how to Plano, pull batches, back stock, pull items, etc. This will give them tools you can utilize and also tools that'll help them move forward with the company. Most of the stuff I know isn't training I recirece, it's training I sought out.
A strong team greatly helps. I always focus on two to three guest service team members to develop as if they're GSAs. Often having them shadow me or run the floor. Only getting my assistance if they absolutely need it. To me development is the most important part of leadership.
3) Push surveys and use MyGuest (on workbench) to identify negative and positive trends. This will tell you areas to focus on, and areas that you're succeeding in.
4) GSAs should be as strong as you are. Self-explanatory.
5) Always communicate with your peers and ETLs.
These are the things off of the top of my head that I think will help set you up for success. If I think of more I'll let you know. Remember to have thick skin and build a strong supportive team.
