Grow Your Business

The best way to take care of your business is by taking care of your people.

This sums up the advice of Shell retailer Eva Tan on creating a productive business enviroment, adding that “happy” employees are more dynamic and perform better.

After all, your employees, particularly those in retail,  are part of the physical representation of your business.

“In whatever business, it all boils down to the service that your people will give your customers. It will be impossible for you to face all the customers, you will have to trust people to do it for you,” Tan said. “But they must understand that whenever they face the clients, it is the brand, and you --  the owner, whom they are representing.”

As an owner of Shell gas stations in Cabanatuan City, Tan made sure that she regularized her  employees after a six-month probationary period.

“We give all the benefits and (salaries comply with the mandated minimum wage).  It is also Shell's policy that the minimum wage shall be the floor rate for wages. If you enter into business, do not shortchange your employees as they are not only part of your business, but more of your partners,” Tan added.

A happy employee, more than anything else, creates a positive environment for the company, thus boosting sales.

“With the right people, the business can run on its own,” Tan said. “One thing that businessmen should never forget is that a good service can only be provided by a happy employee.”

Tan cited three devices  to bring out the best in your staff:

1.    Teach them well

“In gasoline stations, most of the people that we hire are those who have little education or experience. But with the proper training and mentoring, they can very professional in the service that they render for the company,” Tan said, adding that there can be nothing more rewarding than receiving feedback that you have a very “professional” staff.

2.    Set the goals

“With the way we run our company, we make sure that the staff are very much part in the planning and they know what the goals are. If they know what targets there are, they will also strive to help the company achieve them. It’s important that they know where the company is headed so they feel part of it instead of being detached,” Tan said.

3.    Safety nets

“Even if we have been working with the staff for some time already, we still make sure that there are safety nets put in place. Always remember that these are also people. Do not allow them to be tempted. With our business, as well as other businesses, pilferage is common. But we placed checkpoints in the various processes and our staff knows that there are checkpoints, which act as deterrents for them to do anything untoward,” Tan said.