Managing Bench Jewelers
After a recent seminar, a storeowner asked me what he could do to get his bench jeweler to come to work on time. He had tried everything he could think of (including nagging), but nothing seemed to work.
Now I know there are a lot of dependable, conscientious, highly motivated bench jewelers. However, as I travel the country putting on seminars on shop management, I find this to be a growing problem. Whether it is showing up on time or some other job function, more and more storeowners are asking how they can get their bench jewelers to do what they want done, and in the manner they want it done.
First of all, my advice is to sit down and talk with your jeweler. (Actually sit down and have a conversation not just make comments when he comes in late) Two things need to be accomplished in this conversation.
1. Find out why he comes in late.
It maybe lack of interest, lack of motivation, or lack of responsibility. However, it also maybe a legitimate reason, such as he needs to drop off kids at school or he shares a ride with his wife to work and can not make it in sooner. If that is the case you can either adjust his work schedule or work out other arrangements for him to get to work.
2. You need to explain the importance of coming to work on time.
Often we expect things from our employees and have never fully explained what it is we want. Our Employees Can Not Do What We Want Done, If They Do Not Know What It Is We Want Them To Do!
You may find out that they do not come in on time because then they have to put jewelry out in the cases and they feel that is the salespeople’s job. Knowing the reason they are habitually late will allow you to work out a solution with them. Maybe instead of putting out the jewelry, they can have other responsibilities, such as getting the shop ready (filling the steamer, etc.) or organizing the shop’s work and filing the work-in-progress slips. Something that needs to be done and they feel is related to their job in the shop.
Don’t assume they just lack the motivation to come to work on time. It maybe any number of other reasons. Talk with them to find out the reason, then you will be in a position to find a solution you both can live with.
If it comes down to lack of motivation, that they are just not interested in coming on time. You have your work cut out for you. But don’t despair, there are thing you can do to help the situation.
Managing Bench Jewelers continued