Episode 15: Time Management - Balancing Service and Operations
Episode 15: Time Management - Balancing Service and Operations
Hey there, Assistant Manager! Welcome back to "Smoke Break." I'm Mike Hernandez, and today we're talking about something every assistant manager struggles with - how to balance great customer service with all your other responsibilities.
You know the drill - you're in the middle of doing inventory when a customer needs help. You're training a new employee when someone has a complaint. You're counting the register when three people walk in at once. Sound familiar?
Here's the thing - you can't do everything at once, but you can get better at juggling these responsibilities. Let's talk about how.
First, understand your peak hours. Every store has them. Plan your tasks around these times. Save detailed paperwork for slower periods. During rush hours, focus on customer service and keeping operations running smoothly.
Create a daily routine, but keep it flexible. Maybe you handle paperwork first thing in the morning, check inventory mid-day, and focus on training during slower afternoon hours. But be ready to adjust when needed.
Delegation is your friend. Train your team to handle routine tasks independently. The more they can do without you, the more time you have for customer service and managing bigger issues.
Here's a trick I've learned - batch similar tasks together. If you need to check prices, do all price checks at once. Need to place orders? Do them all in one sitting. This saves time switching between different types of work.
Now, here's your challenge for the day: Write down everything you do in a single shift. Look for tasks that could be combined, delegated, or done at a better time. Make one change to your routine today.
Before we wrap up, let's do a quick check. What's the best approach to managing your time effectively? Is it: A) Trying to do everything at once B) Ignoring customer service to finish other tasks C) Planning around peak times and staying flexible
Take a moment to think about it. The correct answer is C - planning around peak times and staying flexible. This allows you to give customers attention when they need it most while still getting everything else done.
Remember, as an assistant manager, you're not just managing time - you're managing priorities.
That's all for today's "Smoke Break." If you found this helpful, don't forget to subscribe to our channel and share with your fellow convenience store leaders. And for more in-depth content, head over to cstorethrive.com.
Until next time, keep those plates spinning smoothly. This is Mike Hernandez, signing off!
