HRM and Talent Acquisition

At the store where I work, there is a heavy emphasis on tourist traffic and attracting fans of NBC shows since it sells various associated products and experiences.  Although the retail sector is one where there is substantial turnover, the store has a very high rate and fires employees on a consistent basis.  A significant component of this is that management does not find people who contain the skill sets necessary to succeed in this position.  In addition to the typical interpersonal skills necessary to assist people with a myriad of questions, it's also important to consider how potential employees perceive the products in the store and how knowledgeable they are about the shows featured in the store.  If employees enjoy what the store offers, they are more likely to talk up the products and convince people to make purchases.  Since the store itself is located in a highly trafficked area of Midtown, it's also important to have a general sense of where things are in the area, events in the city, and an understanding of tourists' mentally.

As part of the interview process, store management should ask potential employees about their television interests and which shows they watch frequently.  Also, it needs to find employees who understand the local geography and how to address the concerns of tourists.  This can be done with a survey, short dialogue, or specific questions to each applicant.  If the store brings in people who like watching TV, and NBC shows specifically, they will see their job as little more than talking about one of their favorite things all day.  In addition, employees who are better equipped to understand tourists' concerns in the city are more likely to provide reassuring guidance and, ultimately, higher quality guest service.  In this way, both employees and store guests can enjoy the store and remain in it longer.