| The back room of a retail business is a window | | | | materials - everything in the back room should |
| on the efficiency and focus of the business. This | | | | have its defined space. This creates a safer and |
| is a fair assumption because it is where the | | | | more enjoyable work environment. The better |
| business is organized.. A disorganized back room | | | | organization also encourages all others in the |
| reflects a likely disorganized business. | | | | organization to be better organized. Lead by |
| Organizing the back room is easy. Those who | | | | example. |
| disagree are probably spending too much time | | | | Communicate clearly. Setup a notice board or a |
| thinking about it and not enough time creating an | | | | white board onto which you can communicate |
| efficient and enjoyable work space. | | | | with all employees. This should be located next to |
| Here are some simple tips for organizing the back | | | | the door which leads from the room to the shop |
| room of any retail business. | | | | floor. The noticeboard can share important |
| Have defined areas. Separate, mark out and | | | | information about the business as well as required |
| manage the areas for: inward goods, spare floor | | | | health and safety notices. |
| stock, returns, administration and employee rest | | | | Don't hoard. Retailers are notorious hoarders, |
| space. Locate each area in a logical position. | | | | handing on to everything in case they need it one |
| For example, inward goods needs to be located | | | | day. While it is easy to say don't hoard, the reality |
| inside the doorway away from main traffic but | | | | is different. Here is a simple tip for retailers with |
| close enough to be convenient to delivery people. | | | | space available. Set aside some space, hopefully |
| Create a defined process around this space - such | | | | somewhat hidden - where you put anything which |
| as every delivery being signed for and even | | | | you are not using and don't think you will need but |
| verified by a second person if the value of | | | | are not prepared to throw out. Not the date you |
| deliveries warrants this. | | | | put it there. review this space every six months. |
| Administration documents and materials need to | | | | Items you do not use in six months should be |
| be located in an area more secure than the | | | | thrown out. |
| general back room space. It also needs to be in | | | | Structure and discipline are the keys to a good |
| office cabinets and units which can be locked. | | | | back room. get these right and the business itself |
| A place for everything. Pens, pencils, tape, box | | | | will become more organized as a result. |
| cutters, scissors, paper, boxes, packaging | | | | |