How do you get your employees to ask customers to sign up for store credit?

Question

I'm a store manager for catos in nc. We're required a certain amount of store credit applications per week and always seem to run short. I was wondering what sort of incentive I should use to promote my employees to ask more customers.

Answer 1

Propose a small inexpensive item or gift for filling out a credit application.

Answer 2

i have no employees so i dont know, and i dont care

Answer 3

tell them they'll get a reward for doin it

Answer 4

Inform them of how much the company will make off finance charges and late fees, then add in that the better the company does, the better their pay will be... as a result, not just be commission.

Answer 5

Simple...

You have to understand that hourly employees of any kind feel that if it doesn't apply to their paycheck or pockets it does NOT apply to them.

Therefore asking just isn't enough.

You have to give the ppl a reason to go the extra mile.

Since I doubt a raise is an option(or legal).

INCENTIVES are the only way to go.

Something everyone can use GIFT CARDS are # 1 on the list.

Think... what can everyone use right now?

A $50.00 gas card would be great!

A gift card from a major credit card co. would be nice since they could use it whenever and wherever they'd want .

Good luck!!!!!

Answer 6

Publicly aknowledge and praise the salesperson who sells the most credit cards.  Then make sure to thank everyone else for their effort.  

Note that you store is behind and have an open discussion of ways to suggest the card.

Answer 7

You could use threats, but that will generally lead to unhappy employees and the collapse in your business/branch/etc. I suggest offering some type of reward. Make sure it is something they will want! I remember prizes that were just so dumb. I'd make it a prepaid giftcard or in these days most would love a gas card.

Answer 8

well myself being a customer at stores-i dont like to be asked if i want store credit. if i want it i'll come to you. maybe if you displayed ads on how great the card is and the benifits of having one, maybe that will peak my interest and id sign up. asking someone to open a line of credit is like asking, "hey do you want another bill?"  i know at places like sears and jc penny the employees make like $2 for each person they sign up and then are in some sort of drawing for a prize if they have the most in a time period.

Answer 9

At certain stores I'm always asked before checking out, "Will you be paying with your (name of store) card today?"  If they don't have your store card it's a great way to break the ice and introduce to them the benefits of paying with store credit today.  

Hope this helps!

Amy

Answer 10

Have them ask as the person is checking out..

"Mam would you like to apply for store credit today? You could save money on your purchase"

Something like that?

Answer 11

" if u cannot do this task. im sure i acn find another" thatll work i promise

Answer 12

Well I know I don't like being followed around by a store employee with a clipboard buggin me to sign up.  Its like telemarketers but worse they're in your face.

Maybe you should try finding a way to have customers come to you.

Have a quota for everyone, if they don't meet it... out the door.

Answer 13

We have contests to see who can get the most in a time frame( usualy a month) and the winner gets a prize. We have used DVD's under $20, pop, CD's, candy, ect. We have also set a store goal and when that is reached we get a pizza party or grill out. THere is also reconition, people love that. But also remind them if they are not asking it is their job. If we hear people not asking, especaially on large puchases, they can and will be written up.

Answer 14

Quite often, since funds are usually limited for incentives, recognition is the best way to incentivize.  Having a contest of some sort for a coveted parking spot often helps, as well as keeping "score" and having it posted in plain sight.  This will help inspire the employees to do better at the goal because they want to see their name at the top of the list.  If you do have a little budget to use, maybe throw a small pizza party or something if they hit the goal as a store.  Good luck, and I think you are a good manager for even asking about this.

Answer 15

I used to manage a restaurant, and had a heck of a time getting employees to offer upsells to customers. We used to play games all the time...to keep their spirits up.

Keep a chart of how many applications each employee gets every day for the span of a month (any longer than that and they get bored...trust me!). Then, offer a great prize like...a nights stay in a hotel, digital camera, dinner for 2, giftcard to wal-mart (or something), etc. Keep the prize in the office (somewhere safe!) where everyone can see it...so you can rub it in.

Most companies are allowed to trade....if you have something good that they want. We used to trade with Red Lobster all the time for gift certificates.

Answer 16

I love Catos. :)

Just tell your employees that every time they start ringing up someone's purchase, to ask if they have a Catos card and if not, would they like to apply for one. You're paying them to do the job the way you need it to be done, that's incentive enough. If they still refuse to ask, pull them off the register and stick them off in a corner steaming clothing or doing something they hate until they can learn to ask customers to sign up for a card.

This IS assuming they're actually not asking, and it's not a case of the customers are saying, no, we don't want to apply for yet another credit card.