Hey, I have a question. How does one manage a multi-unit retail operation? Through managers? How do you find good managers? How often should you, the owner, visit the store? Daily? Weekly? Many thanks!!!
That is several actually. The owner should first create a accounting procedure designed to keep most people honest. 10% of them will steal from you no matter what you do, 20% will never steal no matter how lax your standards and 70% will steal a little or a lot depending on how good your procedures are. Then you hire the best possible manager. The two groups that make the best are the ones who want to advance in your company and those that have been with you for a good bit AND show some leadership qualities. A great employee does not always make a good manager but it happens often enough to make it worth the risk. Different managers require different levels of supervision. As a supervisor your goal is to get the maximum production from each of them. Teach each everything you know but allow them the room to "do it their way". If you have a store that you feel you NEED to visit on a daily basis, you need a new manager for that store. If you feel like things will go to hell if you leave town for a week, you need all new managers or a supervisor who knows how to manage the managers. At one time I had 17 units and over 300 employees that I was responsible for. Anything over 6 units you must learn to trust and delegate heavily or you will go nuts and get nothing done. Your people will never develope if you mico-manage them.