In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," host Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, and Carol Leaman discuss the post-pandemic retail landscape, emphasizing the critical role of frontline workers. Carol highlights challenges in hiring and training, revealing that 61% of frontline managers report a decline in applicant quality. They stress the importance of effective, engaging training to reduce turnover and burnout. The episode underscores the need for a supportive work environment and the potential for growth within retail careers, advocating for a more human-centric approach to managing retail employees. 1. Introduction to Carol Leaman and Axonify - Axonify's role in supporting organizations with large frontline populations - Industries served beyond retail 2. Post-pandemic retail landscape - Retail's strong comeback - Challenges in staffing and customer behavior 3. Seasonal hiring challenges - Decline in applicant quality - Factors contributing to hiring difficulties 4. Training challenges and solutions - Issues with traditional training methods - Axonify's approach to effective, bite-sized training 5. Manager burnout and its impact - High percentage of managers considering quitting - Importance of proper training in reducing manager stress 6. Practical ways to reduce turnover - Examples of ineffective training methods - Success stories with targeted, engaging training approaches 7. Future trends in retail employment - Focus on manager support and mental health - Emphasis on retention and career development in retail 8. Closing thoughts: The good in retail - Retail's resurgence and opportunities - Importance of quality customer experience Key Quotes: - "Retail has come back stronger than ever." - Carol Leaman - "35 percent of managers have considered quitting in the last two months." - Carol Leaman - "The cost of turnover is enormous for retailers." - Carol Leaman Resources mentioned: - Axonify's seasonal hiring survey Call to Action: - Rate and review the podcast - Visit Axonify.com or SalesRX.com for more retail insights and training resources