Sales Strategy

Jimmy DeGroot: Sharon Sets Her New Employees Up for Success April 02, 2025 (0 comments)

Green Bay, WI--Sharon always wants her new team members to start off with a bang. So the first thing she does when hiring someone new is to take them out to lunch. It’s here where she blows past the interview chatter and really gets to know her new employee.

“I want to know what makes them tick, what they love about the jewelry industry and then to reveal our values and culture to see if they mesh.”  “I can usually tell right away if someone is going to work out with us from that meal and conversation.” 

Then it’s back to the store with a regimented first day.  She gives them the tour of the store and introduces the new ire to all the team members.  “I then begin them with our very own version of jewelry university. We start them out with the Train Retail basic training videos so they know what they expect to be learning from the team in the coming weeks.  Then they spend time with our store manager going over the welcome packet that includes our company values, policies, and a training schedule. We really stress professionalism and preparedness.”

Then the hands-on training begins with each one of our team members. As highlighted in Kevin Johnson’s The Experience Maker, real-world experience is vital in retail and each member of her team is responsible for training a specific topic.. “We always pair new employees with seasoned team members to shadow during key shifts. This helps them learn POS systems, customer service techniques, and inventory procedures in context.”

In The New Gold Standard, Joseph Michelli emphasizes the importance of creating an employee experience that reflects the customer experience. “We often discuss our store’s mission, customer service philosophy, and team expectations.” 

And finally, she and her managers schedule regular, weekly check-ins during the first 30–60 days in order to build trust, allow for feedback, and ensure her new employee feels supported. “We find that a positive, proactive onboarding process can transform new hires into brand ambassadors who drive sales and deliver exceptional service.”

Retail success starts with the team. By investing in thoughtful onboarding, you create a solid foundation for employee growth.

James (Jimmy) DeGroot is a professional jewelry sales and operations trainer from the jeweler’s side of the counter. Having been in management and the jewelry business for over 20 years, Jimmy offers weekly training to jewelers nationwide via the Train Retail website. Jimmy is an AGS titleholder and specializes in training relevant and timely methods for jewelry teams. He can do a full training on making Bridal Presentations the best they can be, among many other regular training options. Contact Jimmy at jimmy@trainretail.com or call 920-492-1191.