From USA — 07/08/2010
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I will share mine. Teavana is an amazing company. Yes, their concept is unique. I started with the company close to a year ago, as a seasonal hourly associate, I was scheduled maybe 10 hours a week. I listened to my GM, and followed what they had to say in the training step by step. The sales process is there for a reason. After a couple of months, I was promoted to a keyholder, and soon after that, enrolled into the corporate mgmnt training class. Within 4 months of being hired with the company, I was offered a GM position, with full relocation assistance. I, of course accepted the position. Over the past 5-6 months or so, my store has consistently been one of the top performers in the region, and in some instances, company wide. When you put forth the effort required, the possibilities of opportunity with this company, are endless. THIS JOB IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. Most people that apply to this job, think it's "a tea version of Starbucks". Or, they think they're just going to be cashiers. Yes, you have to sell, and sell your ass off. As for all of the allegations of "managers stealing sales." In my store, if you're not following the sales process, and I see an opportunity to maximize a sale, my AGM and I will both tactfully step in, and salvage/resuscitate the sale. If the team member is still new with the company, by all means, we will ring it under their name. If you've been there awhile, and you know what you're supposed to be doing, but for whatever reason, be it laziness, ignorance, or apathy, we will ring it under our name. We do that, for the simple fact, that we don't want to foster the idea of "playing favorites." At the end of the day, the stores numbers, is what matters. It is a business, not a social gathering. If the store isn't making plan, then alotted payroll hours get cut. Plain and simple. So, for those of you whining and complaining about "she stole my sale," take a look at yourself. Are you REALLY exerting all of your effort into the job? Are you REALLY following the sales process as you were initially shown by your training mgr? Are you ENGAGING the customer, and getting them involved? Or are you being complacently apathetic, and asking them "do you need any help?" after they've already touched the same cast iron pot 4 times? All too often, have I had employees resign from their job, because "this isn't what I expected the job to be." In the interview, I do explain, fully, that this IS a sales job. Maybe I don't do it well enough? I believe that most people hear "sales" in the mall, as "retail cashier". Anyhow, I've begun to drift. My overall point is, as with any job, you usually get out of it, what you put into it. I'm extremely happy with my employment at Teavana, and plan to continue to climb the ladder with the company.
