We have re-introduced the rubber-band to front of house.
If a customer places an order for something not part of our "key" ranges (ie. always in stock) the "consultant" at the shop counter (like that?
) slips a rubber band round the chevron. one rubber band per stick required.Then, come ordering day, voila, piece of cake, at a glance you can see what you need to order. No trawling through the book, or wondering if the computer program has your stock levels right.
The beauty of it is that everyone can understand it. And with four of us behind the counter at different times, it keeps things simple.
As a bonus, customers seem to love it when you say "i'll just pop this on this and that'll make sure we reserve your moulding".
Likewise we have resurrected the "orange sticker" whiich simply has "reserved" printed on it, which we write the customers name and plonk on the end of a stick of moulding there and then when they order.
A step backwards in this age of technology and databases? Maybe, but its like a breath of fresh air.
