Project Instructions

In this project you will explore 4 different scenarios where you will utilize what you have learned about Sales in this unit. You will spend approximately one day per scenario and will submit your responses to all 4 situations into one dropbox when your project is complete.

Day One
Situation

You are about to make a presentation about retail selling. You will need to include the methods of making the initial customer approach in that presentation. Name three methods for making the initial customer approach in retail sales and briefly explain each. Please use a presentation program to present your methods and be professional.

Day Two

Finding Out What the Customer Needs
The next time you are in a store where salespeople help you make purchasing decisions- a shoe store, for instance-pay careful attention to the conversations you have during that visit.

Activity
What information does the salesperson casually collect from you? And how is it used? Take notes about the conversations and the lines you hear the most often. Include your observations about nonverbal reactions. Write a short dialog or script based on your notes and observations.

Day Three
Deciding What to Stock
Imagine that you own a small auto lot. You have a limited number of spaces, and are considering whether to devote them to cars, SUVs or minivans.

Activity
Prepare a short report that answers the following questions: How would understanding the motivations and needs of your customers help you decide which vehicles to stock? What other decisions might you make based on that information?

Day Four
Monitoring E-mail
Imagine you work as an office employee, and you have just found out that your company's managers routinely monitor employees' e-mail through the IT department.

Activity
Suppose you keep a blog about office practices. Write an entry that addresses the following questions: Do you think it is appropriate for a company to monitor its employees' e-mail? Why or why not? What kinds of things should an employee never use business e-mail for?

3 answers

Day One: Initial Customer Approach in Retail Sales Presentation

Methods of Making the Initial Customer Approach

1. Greeting Approach

  • Explanation: This method involves the salesperson initiating contact by greeting the customer as soon as they enter the store. This can be a simple welcoming statement like "Hello! Welcome to our store!" The greeting sets a friendly tone and makes customers feel acknowledged, making them more comfortable to ask questions or seek assistance.

2. Service Approach

  • Explanation: In this approach, the salesperson offers assistance to the customer from the outset. For instance, saying, "How can I help you today?" or "Is there something specific you are looking for?" This method demonstrates readiness to assist and captures the customer's immediate needs while also establishing a rapport.

3. Merchandise Approach

  • Explanation: Here, the salesperson engages the customer by pointing out a specific product. For example, they might say, "I see you looking at these shoes; they are very popular this season." This approach draws attention to the merchandise and can pique interest, providing an opportunity to highlight the benefits of the product.

[Insert presentation slides detailing each method with relevant visuals and professional formatting. Consider using bullet points, images of retail environments, and an engaging layout.]


Day Two: Finding Out What the Customer Needs

Observations from a Shoe Store Visit

During my recent visit to a local shoe store, I noted several key methods the salesperson used to gather information about my needs:

  • Casual Inquiry: The salesperson asked open-ended questions like, "What activity are you shopping for today?" This created an opportunity for me to express my needs regarding a running or casual shoe.

  • Close Observation: The salesperson paid attention to my reactions to different shoe options I looked at, noting my interest or hesitation.

  • Recommendations: Based on my responses, the salesperson suggested shoes suited to my activity, saying, “I’d recommend these shoes for running because they provide excellent support.”

Sample Dialog Based on Observations

Salesperson: "Hi there! Welcome to Shoe World! How can I help you today?"

Customer: "I'm looking for a new pair of running shoes."

Salesperson: "That’s great! What do you usually look for in a running shoe? Comfort? Style? Durability?"

Customer: "Mostly comfort. I do a lot of running on trails."

Salesperson: "Perfect! These models offer excellent support for trail running. Let me show you our best-selling pair. Plus, they come in various colors!"

Customer: "Awesome, thanks!"


Day Three: Deciding What to Stock

Report: Understanding Customer Needs for Inventory Decisions

As the owner of a small auto lot, it's critical to understand the motivations and needs of my customers.

  1. Motivations and Needs: By analyzing customer preferences (e.g., family-friendly vehicles, fuel efficiency, luxury features), I can tailor my inventory to better meet their expectations. For instance, if I notice a trend in families looking for spacious SUVs, prioritizing that stock would lead to higher sales and customer satisfaction.

  2. Future Decision Making:

    • Marketing Strategies: Effective inventory choices will inform my marketing strategies. For example, spotlighting cars with safety features if customers prioritize family safety can attract more buyers.
    • Customer Feedback: Regularly seeking customer feedback on preferred vehicles will guide future purchases.
    • Seasonal Adjustments: Depending on the season (winter requiring 4WD vehicles vs. summer leaning toward convertibles), inventory flexibility will be essential.

The fundamental takeaway is that aligning my stock with customer needs leads to increased sales and a better reputation in the market.


Day Four: Monitoring E-mail

Blog Entry on Email Monitoring at Work

Title: Navigating Email Policies in the Workplace

In recent discussions, it has come to my attention that our company's management routinely monitors employee emails through the IT department. This raises significant questions of privacy versus security in the workplace.

Is it appropriate? Personally, I believe that while some level of monitoring is justified to protect company assets and sensitive information, there needs to be transparency. Employees should be informed about what is monitored and why.

What employees should avoid using business email for:

  • Personal Relationships: Correspondences about non-work related friendships can get complicated.
  • Sensitive Topics: Discussing political, religious, or controversial subjects can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts.
  • Confidential Information: Sharing personal data or sensitive company information is inadvisable and could result in disciplinary action.

Ultimately, while monitoring plays a vital role in safeguarding interests, a respectful balance must be maintained to foster trust and a positive work environment.


Submission

All four scenarios are compiled into one document for submission. Ensure to format the document properly before final submission to comply with project requirements.

I want to use Canva and less then 4 slides

Sure! Here’s a concise outline for your Canva presentation on making the initial customer approach in retail sales, designed to fit within four slides. Each slide focuses on a key method with a brief description.


Slide 1: Title Slide

  • Title: Initial Customer Approaches in Retail Sales
  • Subtitle: Effective Methods to Engage Customers
  • Visuals: Use an engaging background image related to retail (e.g., a store interior).

Slide 2: Greeting Approach

  • Heading: Greeting Approach
  • Text:
    • “Initiate contact by welcoming customers.”
    • Example: “Hello! Welcome to our store!”
  • Visuals: Image of a salesperson greeting a customer.

Slide 3: Service Approach

  • Heading: Service Approach
  • Text:
    • “Offer assistance to meet customer needs.”
    • Example: “How can I help you today?”
  • Visuals: Image illustrating a salesperson assisting a customer.

Slide 4: Merchandise Approach

  • Heading: Merchandise Approach
  • Text:
    • “Engage customers by highlighting products.”
    • Example: “I see you looking at these shoes; they are very popular.”
  • Visuals: Image of a salesperson pointing out merchandise to a customer.

Design Tips for Canva:

  • Consistent Theme: Use a cohesive color scheme and typography throughout.
  • Limited Text: Keep the text concise; aim for bullet points for readability.
  • Images: Opt for high-quality images that illustrate each approach effectively.
  • Animations: Consider subtle animations to make the presentation dynamic, but avoid overdoing it.

This format will keep your presentation clean, professional, and under four slides, highlighting the essential methods for customer engagement in retail sales.