Ikea furnishes shops with passionate staff

An efficient and good store operation system is indispensable in the retail industry and Ikea has developed a management training programme tailored for its business model, future development and to nurture talent to oversee the shops of the home furnishing company.

The company's management training, which lasts 18 to 24 months and is divided into two phases, aims to show employees the full picture of how to run a shop and equip it with specific knowledge and skills to oversee and develop the business.

'Ikea's business idea of running a store is a bit different from your average retail business. There is a unique concept behind everything from design, sourcing and manufacturing, to logistics, and to frontline selling,' said Rico Leung Wai-kwong, commercial director.

Mr Leung said because Ikea was not just about selling furniture, but home furnishing solutions and ideas, employees needed to learn everything from the start after they joined even if they had relevant experience.

During the management training, employees first go through a six-month co-worker level training in the stores, learning the day-to-day operation and knowledge and skills about frontline selling by being attached to different sections from furniture, home accessories and service operation, including customer service and check-out management, to communication, interior design and restaurants at the stores.

Human resources director Carrie Tse Man-fung said: 'With a good understanding of the day-to-day operation of the frontline staff you will have more empathy for your co-workers when you become the supervisor. This helps you to execute your work smoothly and maintain strong teamwork.'

She said the ultimate goal of the programme was to train people up to be a shop manager supervising more than 130 staff.