Tools that can streamline staffing and employee management

In a post-pandemic world, retail owners are looking to cut costs. Learn what data-based features help to manage employees and staffing.

It is not uncommon to discover that retail owners are preoccupied with marketing, sales, and inventory controls. And, like many small business owners, managing staff usually stops at the time clock.

Advances in point of sale retail solutions that include cutting-edge functions and enterprise-level data management put an end to this thinking. At last, small businesses have the appropriate technology at their fingertips to design and track staff management metrics.

The small retail owner can use these new data-based features to monitor staff performance in ways that are unique to their industry. A highly capable ePOS system will deliver the expected staff management features; it is the meshing of automation technology and data management that will give you decisive wins in a few key areas. And honing your business metrics to include these pieces will help you to further cut costs and improve your margins while reducing your overall time investment.

 

Employee management is more than tracking hours

The time clock and punch card has been a tried and true staple of retail management for decades. Not much changed even when the introduction of magnetic strip cards replaced punch cards, as applying hours into payroll was a manual process. Add in the manual computation of sales commissions, and you have a time-consuming payroll process that is prone to errors. But today’s ePOS software takes the manual out of payroll and gives you some great tools to improve the process.

Scheduling and payroll can be more accurately managed through the use of a POS-integrated online calendar. Key benefits include:

  • Staff can access your online booking site, and using color-coded blocks, can tell you when they are not available for shifts. This makes scheduling easier and offers your employees the ability to view other team member’s calendars and even make shift switches, ensuring that you are fully staffed and that all scheduling is transparent. 
  • Running accurate and automated payroll processes is a natural next step. In addition to calculating pay or updating time off balances, various tax and government withholding must also be processed. 
  • An ePOS system gives you the tools to easily apply these on a person-to-person basis, and it can be configured to add commissions and bonuses as well, based on already established sales and performance metrics.

 

Sales conversion tracking gives performance metrics teeth

Sales conversion rate, or the effectiveness of a salesperson to convert a customer visit into a sale, is arguably the most effective metric for retailers to track. This tells the true tale not only about how effective an employee is at sales, but also helps you gain an accurate insight into the volume of customers that each person engages in your store. You can then use this to provide deeper levels of training for struggling employees, or as the basis for performance rewards and bonuses.

An ePOS system gives you the technical foundation to monitor all of the information that is vital to tracking sales conversion rates, primarily sales and inventory data points. The metrics you build, when based on this information, will allow you to confidently build performance reporting that is highly accurate. In turn, these metrics will show you the performance of every employee, and all you need to present this information to them for the sake of improvement and transparency.

Using sales conversion statistics will be a vital aid when constructing a loss prevention strategy as well, helping you get a better handle on tracking:

  • Improper voids at the register 
  • Uneven exchanges 
  • Over-refunding of returns
     

The time it takes to investigate every sales or inventory shortcoming is time you could be spending attending to other aspects of your business. By tracking the sources of each of these, and determining their accuracy, you can take control of product leakage in your store and offer corrections to staff before mistakes become too costly.

 

ePOS reporting abilities are the keys to employee management

Having all the data you need to develop an effective employee management solution and supporting metrics is a great start. However, you need to have the rights tools in place to turn your metrics into a format that makes monitoring the moving pieces of your business easier. Having these by your side gives you that second pair of eyes every business owner longs for.

Possessing the ability to build performance reporting around specific tasks or employees gives you more control over their management. This means that you will be able to detect subtle performance differences as they first start to occur, instead of making the discovery after a performance slide has cost you valuable revenue or has led to negative customer experiences. Your ePOS system reporting tools will enable you to take a data-driven, proactive approach to employee management.

 

ePOS retail solutions will build employee relationships

An employee’s time is just as valuable as yours, so it makes sense to utilize the technology in an ePOS system to help both of you. Giving some control of scheduling back to your employees, while monitoring their performances on the sales floor, will help create a transparent and supportive working environment. This in turn will help you to attract better talent and elevate the level of customer service your store provides.

The team at talech understand how important it is for your employees to be performing at the top of their game. 

 

Find out more about what talech can do for your business.

Learn about U.S. Bank

Related content

8 ways for small business owners to manage their cash flow

Hybridization driving demand

For small business growth, consider the international market

Beyond Mars, AeroVironment’s earthly expansion fueled by U.S. Bank

Refinancing your practice loans: What to know

What type of loan is right for your business?

Luxembourg's thriving private debt market

Easier onboarding: What to look for in an administrator

3 questions to ask your equity, quant and CTA fund administrator

Insource or outsource? 10 considerations

The secret to successful service provider integration

10 ways a global custodian can support your growth

The benefits of a full-service warehouse custodian

Authenticating cardholder data reduce e-commerce fraud

Webinar: Robotic process automation

Webinar: CRE technology trends

Business risk management for owners of small companies

Evaluating interest rate risk creating risk management strategy

How real-time inventory visibility can boost retail margins

Payment industry trends that are the future of POS

Tech tools to keep your restaurant operations running smoothly

A simple guide to set up your online ordering restaurant

Cashless business pros and cons: Should you make the switch?

ePOS cash register training tips and tricks

5 winning strategies for managing liquidity in volatile times

The future of financial leadership: More strategy, fewer spreadsheets

Digital banking and cloud accounting software: How they work together

Empowering managers with data automation and integration

Delivering powerful results with SWIFT messaging and services

Why retail merchandise returns will be a differentiator in 2022

Digital processes streamline M&A transactions

Save time with mobile apps for business finances

How RIAs can embrace technology to enhance personal touch

What corporate treasurers need to know about Virtual Account Management

Work flexibility crucial as municipalities return to office

How I did it: Grew my business by branching out

The moment I knew I’d made it: The Cheesecakery

Making a ‘workout’ work out as a business

How a bright idea became a successful business (in Charlotte, North Carolina)

Making the leap from employee to owner

Mapping out success for a small-business owner

Checklist: What you’ll need for your first retail pop-up shop

How mobile point of sale (mPOS) can benefit your side gig

Staying organized when taking payments

Key considerations for online ordering systems

How does an electronic point of sale help your business keep track of every dime?

Tools that can streamline staffing and employee management

How to identify what technology is needed for your small business

Planning for restaurant startup costs and when to expect them

How to fund your business without using 401(k) savings

The different types of startup financing

How to get started creating your business plan

What is needed to apply for an SBA loan

How to establish your business credit score

Why ecommerce for small business strategy is integral

4 restaurant models that aren’t dine-in

Omnichannel retail: 4 best practices for navigating the new normal

Is your restaurant Google-friendly?

How small businesses are growing sales with online ordering

How to expand your business: Does a new location make sense?

How small business owners can budget for the holiday season

Why credit cards should be the first choice for business payments

7 uncommon recruiting strategies that you may not have tried yet

How increased supply chain visibility can combat disruptors

6 common financial mistakes made by dentists (and how to avoid them)

Strengthen your brand with modern POS technology

Technology strategies to complement your business plan

Business credit card 101

How to apply for a business credit card

What kind of credit card does my small business need?

Do I need a credit card for my small business?

5 tips to help you land a small business loan

How to choose the right business savings account

5 questions business owners need to consider before taking out a loan

Leverage credit wisely to plug business cash flow gaps

How to establish your business credit score

How to make the most of your business loan

Do you need a business equipment loan?

5 ways a business credit card program can grow your business

Building a business with a great product and a greater purpose

3 ways POS data analysis can help define your brand

How running a business that aligns with core values is paying off

Meet the Milwaukee businessman behind Funky Fresh Spring Rolls

Improve online presence your business

When small business and community work together

How a family-owned newspaper is serving its community

How tenacity brought Taste of Rondo to life

How Gentlemen Cuts helps its community shine

How Lip Esteem is empowering women

Community behind Elsa’s House of Sleep

Honey Luxury Beauté: growing a side project into an eye-catching beauty business

How Shampoo’ed is transforming hair and inspiring entrepreneurs

The San Francisco bridal shop that’s been making memories for 30 years

How Al’s Breakfast is bringing people together

In a digital world, Liberty Puzzles embraces true connection

Celebrity Cake Studio’s two decades of growth and success

How a travel clothing retailer is staying true to its brand values

3 ways to gain loyalty with your customers

Disclosures

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.