Pay Attention to Detail

I find it absolutely amazing to see what focusing on the details can reveal. Retail is detail they say, and although we all love to get into the big picture, the proof seems to always be found in the detail.

A former associate in specialty retailing once showed me how everything in a store is revealed from the detail. As an area manager charged with execution of the strategy and standards Dan could tell all from a very detailed examination of only one fixture. He would walk up to any fixture and observe - the product - was it appropriate, the folds - were they crisp, the sizing - was it easy for customers to find, the cleanliness - did anyone care, the inventory - was it replenished or in the back. From one fixture he could tell if the manager and staff were 'with the program' and cared and took pride in their work and their store, or didn't. And from that he knew what to expect with shrink results, store standards, training, selling skills, paperwork and almost everything else. All from one fixture - any fixture, as any one reflected the commitment, pride and attention to the detail of execution.