The job of a District or Regional Manager is a tough one…no argument here. They have to make the numbers happen and their stores must comply with all of the requirements set out by the organization. Lots to do!
Sales, merchandising, customer service, maintenance, scheduling, special event management… and so much more…are all their responsibility!
Actually, all of that might be easy enough if they were in the store with the Store Managers and the Associates every day. But, of course, they’re not. They might very well be in a store every day, but they can’t be in all of them every day, can they?
That’s the big challenge!
Managing remotely requires DM’s to be even better than they were when they were top performing Store or Business Unit Managers.
Managing from afar is very different.
Phone calls and videos are great but no matter how much time a DM/RM spends on the sales floor in each of their stores, it’s still not the same as one manager being in one store for 40 – 60 hours a week; pouring all of their effort and energy into the success of one business unit. Not even close.
In fact, managing remotely is probably the single, biggest hurdle for any newly promoted
District Manager to overcome.
Ignore this fact and you’re asking for trouble. Why?
Because, even though they’re not there (because it’s impossible to be everywhere), they are still accountable and you can’t let them off the hook. Not being there is no excuse and no self-respecting DM/RM will try to use absence as an excuse for lack of performance.
Well…maybe once.
Needless to say, it would not and should not go over well!
The District Manager is accountable for the district. The Regional Manager is accountable for the region. That’s how it works.
The individuals holding these important, highly influential positions must get the ‘numbers’…they must achieve targets and operate the stores effectively overall.
That’s it! End of story!
So, what’s the secret to success in these positions?
We can start by telling you that it’s all about relationships and leadership skills.
The single, most critical thing smart and successful District and Regional Manager’s do to get results is….build strong relationships with their teams through excellence in their leadership skills and ability.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. There’s quite a bit involved.
But it’s definitely worth the effort…look at the difference it can make:
These are the dramatic differences between the weakest and the strongest retail leaders. (Research: Zenger-Folkman)
• 4-6 times higher profits
• 6 times higher sales revenues
• 10-20 times higher levels of employee engagement
• 3-4 times reduction in employees thinking about quitting
• 50% fewer employees that do leave
• Double the satisfaction with pay and job security
• 4-5 times more employees “willing to go the extra mile”
• 1.5 times higher customer satisfaction ratings
Also, ” According to operating data from various retail organizations, a District/Regional Manager can influence performance by up to +/- 20%”~ (DMSRetail Research).
That’s a lot of influence. Don’t leave money on the table.
Go for the + 20%!!
All the Success!
DMSRetail
DMSRetail 
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