Retail managers can boost the efficiency of their stores by developing proper time-management skills. Wasting time has a negative impact on the business’s profits. From planning your schedule to training your staff, there is a range of useful strategies you can use to succeed.

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1. Create a to-do list

Create a to-do list that includes all the tasks you need to get done. Set aside time in the evening or first thing in the morning to make your list and prioritise the most important tasks. Setting goals each day will help you stay focused and delegate tasks to your staff members. You can use an app to keep track of your responsibilities, which is better than the conventional to-do list on paper as you can set reminders and deadlines on apps to make sure you stay on top of things.

2. Plan your schedule

Understand which times are busiest in your store. Once you know the peak times, you can plan your schedule around them. Responsibilities that require plenty of focus should be tackled during the quiet periods in your store. Point of sale systems will provide you with the information you need to determine the times when the most sales are made. Also, consider which months are the busiest. It will cause disruptions if you schedule time-consuming tasks during your busiest months.

3. Invest in training

As a retail manager, you need to invest in training for your staff so that they have the skills that are required to get a range of jobs done quickly. If you have to do most of the work yourself, it can have a negative impact on your efficiency. Competent staff are the key to the success of any retailer. Once your staff have been trained properly, you can delegate tasks with confidence.

4. Stay focused

Help yourself to stay focused by removing any distractions. Likewise, it’s advisable to establish rules in your store to ensure that your staff’s attention remains on their job. Set aside specific times to check emails rather than constantly looking for new mail during the day. Rather than switching between tasks, focus on one job before moving onto the next one.

5. Get organised

Take the time to organise your store during quiet periods. Your store will look better and you’ll also save time on searching for items that you can’t find. Label shelves and boxes so that it’s easy to store items in the right place. Items that you use often should be placed where they’re quick and easy to reach.

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6. Value your staff

Take the time to make your staff feel valued. Performance reviews are a good opportunity to acknowledge your staff’s strengths as well as to identify areas where they need to improve. Showing appreciation to your employees helps to boost efficiency and increase engagement in the workplace. With a good team behind you, it’s easier to manage your time effectively.

7. Take a time-out

While you may be feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks that you need to get done, taking a break is an important aspect of time management strategies. After your break, you’ll come back with improved focus so that can complete tasks quicker. Consider taking a short walk and getting some fresh air to give your concentration a boost. Schedule your break at the same time each day so that you get into a routine. Make sure that you don’t get distracted so that you can get back to work on time.

8. Create templates

Administrative tasks can take up a large portion of your day. Create templates on your computer and save them where they are easy to access. Rather than starting from the beginning every time you need to create a document, you can use these templates to speed up the process.

9. Set boundaries

Setting boundaries is essential if you want to manage your time effectively. Learn to say no to taking on additional work that you don’t have time for. If you say yes to everyone, it’s difficult to complete the tasks that you’ve prioritised for the day.

10. Make the most of travel time

Maximise on your travel time by listening to educational talks. You can gain new knowledge that contributes to the productivity of your business while you’re driving in your car. Motivational talks also give your morale a boost so that you can get the day off to a good start and motivate your employees when you get to work.

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Time management skills are essential as they improve the productivity of retail managers. Find quality staff on Job Mail and give the efficiency of your business a boost.