Help!! How do I train my new hire??

[Tina F]

My nephew will be working for me next week as a test run to see if he should quit his current job. I am wondering what the most efficient way to train him would be. I would like to try J&R approach doing scheduled listings. However I wonder if I should start first by having him do like I do and use the assembly line method. Any advice on how to tackle this? My biggest fear is getting negative feedback because he didnt catch a stain or hole or measure incorrectly. The fear is really making me rethink an employee is a good move. Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
Tina F

[T-Satt]

Pick the items that you CANNOT get wrong (pricing would be mine), and make sure you do that yourself. Other items, just plan to take the time for at least a week to:

Show them what they are doing
Then watch them do it (as they will have questions and you can watch how they do)
Then let them go on their own, but you have to be there to answer questions, and you quality check them before the listing is live.

You have 30 drafts you can use, and an unlimited number of scheduled listings, so you can catch mistakes before they go live.

Don’t have them do everything at once. Break things down and tackle slowly

Prep/Clean
Photo/Measure
Draft Listing
Pricing
Shipping

Don’t be afraid, just think of what you are worried about and how to develop a system to catch it until they are on their own. They will be slower than you, and they will make mistakes at first, but you can do this.

[Jay]

Everything Tsatt said is spot on.
We started out helper out with t-shirts. Simple and repetitive. We also made sure to work with them for an entire day, giving them full attention as they learned.

You’ll know pretty quickly if they’re interested and excited, or if they’re bored and phoning it in. No need to keep someone who isn’t going to be a self-starter. Some people see a pile of junk with dread. Some people see it as a fun challenge and curious about what’s inside.

[AdventureE]

I agree with T-Satt. Break things down and tackle slowly.

I would like to add that because he is family, a male, and looking to see if this is something he wants to do, meet him where he is at. Have him identify what he wants to accomplish and how he works best. Remember, men work differently than women do. A lot of men do not want to discuss everything and constantly be told what to do. In addition, negating efforts or simply identifying what is wrong will cause many men to shut down. When you are working together, have a clear line that during that time you are trainer and trainee and then treat him as such instead of treating as your nephew during work time. Identify what he is doing right and how is contributing to the business. He will be able to self identify what he feels comfortable doing and what he may need to work on although he may not say it directly. If he hedges on doing a particular something, ask for clarification, if he chooses not to give it, do not push. Find what else he can do. If he challenges or disagrees with an idea as he starts learning about your business, take the time to listen and then either explain why things are done they way you do them or see if an idea he shares may be of benefit to you as a business person.

Start off with some walk throughs and not trainings. Simply do what you do and have him watch you. Talk through the process with him. You can even have him assist you with some things and ask for his feedback. Once he has done that, have him identify what he wants to start off with. Then identify points of success so he knows he is on the right track.
For example, if he is good at and likes using the computer, have him do the computer stuff first. Take time to break down the listing page and go over it with him at least 3 or 4 times. Anything you will need to review before submitting the listing have him leave blank and save what he has done. Let him tell you what he is comfortable with.

I would not have him do anything that would be a “management level” task –i.e. giving the final go ahead on an item that may have defects, writing descriptions on items that may have defects, submitting a final listing – without your review and your mutual agreement that he is ready to those tasks. Ultimately, you are responsible for anything that happens with your store, so you want to make sure that what ever is put out is at the standard you have set.

[Tina F]

Thanks for the advice. I’m feeling a little more confident about it. 🙂

[Author]

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