{"id":6817,"date":"2020-10-01T12:43:21","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T12:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-402808-2566796.cloudwaysapps.com\/euro\/?p=6817"},"modified":"2022-05-10T13:26:29","modified_gmt":"2022-05-10T17:26:29","slug":"virtual-field-manager-ways-empower-stores-most-powerful-assets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storeforcesolutions.com\/euro\/virtual-field-manager-ways-empower-stores-most-powerful-assets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Virtual Field Manager: Ways to Empower Your Stores\u2019 Most Powerful Assets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Whether you call them District Managers or Regional Managers, your Field Management team has always played the critical role of driving store execution. They are the essential conduit between the head office and the stores. In recent months, the importance of their role has been elevated, while at the same time making it more challenging for them to fulfill their role. The Field Manager\u2019s greatest impact is felt within the four walls of their respective stores, how do they harness their incredible energy, creativity and skills to lead in a new way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to keep their teams safe, many retailers have eliminated air travel and have restricted physical visits to stores. Some of our clients estimate that up to 50% of their stores will not receive a physical visit from their Field Manager between March of 2020 and January (or later) in 2021. Essentially, Field Managers who manage geographically disbursed stores will have to go virtual, managing remotely from their dining room tables.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Field Managers are the liaison between stores and head office, they do so by playing the role of the Communicator, the Compliance Officer, the Recruiter, the Coach, and the Cheerleader. In order to make the Field Managers\u2019 lives easier and help them be more effective virtually, we need to discuss what tips or tools are needed to maintain the same level of inspiration and effectiveness while faced with the constraints of working remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication from head office to the store and vice versa is critical. It is important to ensure the message is understood by stores and staff. By communicating the processes, objectives and goals clearly, it ensures the Field Manager can hold their respective teams accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compliance is easier to achieve remotely if Field Managers have the right tools to do so.<\/a> Change is difficult, the current situation asks for an even greater need for everyone to be agile. To ensure teams are not scattered, structure must be offered to ensure for a certain level of consistency in store. Having a framework will also allow the follow up to be managed in a consistent way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Field Managers physically used to walk a mall to network and find top performers from their competitors, today they are unable to do so. Field Managers are challenged to find new ways to recruit key players to up their teams. No doubt, there\u2019s a lot of great talent out there, it is a matter of looking into the right channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coaching via digital channels can be challenging. The observational and behavioral piece that Field Managers used to obtain while visiting stores is no longer there. Therefore, getting the same level of detail and information \u2013 from home \u2013 is essential for coaching their teams to win. And, most importantly, for holding stores, managers and associates accountable to hit deliverables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In times of adversity, cheerleaders become the influencer, facilitator and motivator that make teams thrive. In retail, field leaders adopt the important role of empowering and inspiring teams to achieve a go-to culture, greater performance and positive behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we wait for that much needed face-to-face contact again, the reality is that the new way of field management is here to stay. The role of the Field Manager is evolving and needs to be versatile and quick to respond to changes. With the right tools in place, the virtual Field Manager can be just as successful, making these new ways of working more efficient and cost-effective. They are now the retailers\u2019 most powerful asset in making store teams stronger and enabling greater results despite the adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n StoreForce can help you to achieve your retail goals and labor planning effectiveness. Interested in learning more? Contact us<\/a> and engage with one of our retail experts as to how we can future proof your overall retail store management<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Vinet<\/strong>\u00a0is a Client Engagement Manager at StoreForce. In his role, Jean-Fran\u00e7ois interacts with client resources to provide guidance and input on how StoreForce can support their operational initiatives while building relationships at various levels in these respective organizations to ensure a strong partnership and collaboration. Prior to joining StoreForce, Jean-Fran\u00e7ois helped build, train and develop teams in various retail organizations. Jean-Fran\u00e7ois is a strong advocate of teamwork and collaboration, he values communication and leadership above all else. Jean-Fran\u00e7ois likes to play viola on his spare time and is an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast, you\u2019ll know where to find him when he\u2019s out of office!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you call them District Managers or Regional Managers, your Field Management team has always played the critical role of driving store execution. They are the essential conduit between the head office and the stores. In recent months, the importance of their role has been elevated, while at the same time making it more challenging […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":6826,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32,1092,2668,23],"tags":[2664,2666],"class_list":["post-6817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-blog-post","category-field-managing-in-retail","category-thought-leadership","tag-field-managing-in-retail","tag-roles-of-field-managers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Practices and Tools Will Be Needed to Enable Your Virtual Field Leader Team?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Communicator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Compliance Officer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Recruiter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Coach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Cheerleader<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Evolved Role of the Virtual Field Manager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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