I'm not sure if my title is obvious but I'm back to reflect on my work experience in June as a promoter. I never thought I would be back to work as a promoter in a departmental store. I will always remember Dec 2012- Jan 2013 when I worked as a promoter in multiple departmental stores. I complained that it was mundane whenever there were no customers. Nonetheless, I'm not sure what came over me - I'm 50% sure that being bored at home was a major factor - that pushed me to apply for a job as a promoter in another company in the sports department.
I must say that my opinions matured. Being a promoter is a tough job. I took it as an experience as I meet other people working in this line for years who shared many valuable experience with me, be it while I eat in the staff canteen or am waiting for customers to appear. We (Including me) meet many different customers each day. Customers that try on every product and not buy a single thing, customers that have deep pockets and customers that buy only what they have in mind.
Customer service and patience- They're valuable skills I acquired. (I'm not sure if I'm proficient at that) I had to orientate myself. The exact location the specific item is in the departmental store (at the very least my own level and department) and the exact directions to get there from where he/she is were the first I learnt. Though I promote for my brand, satisfying the customer's request comes first even if it means to guide them to my competitor (if they request).
Next skill I acquired was to promote another product of another brand simply because the other promoter wasn't present at the moment. Though I can't write the sales chit for them, I learnt to drag and convince the customer to stay and wait for the other promoter to come back. It was heartwarming as we help each other to keep a lookout. I truly felt my area was like a mini community/neighbourhood.
The most important thing I've learnt was to promote my product. I spoke to this promoter when I was having lunch one day and she shared with me that the success to good sales (on condition that there are customers) was to know my products at the back of my hand and to believe in my products. I thought this aunty was stating the obvious but it's true. I didn't believe in my product because I didn't. Yet, I studied the science behind the product, and explained to customers in simplified science concepts to convince them. At the end of the day, I still don't believe in my product even though I know that it works theoretically. Fair enough I had days with $0 sales and days with an overwhelming amount of $2000. I was wrong, I should've chosen a product I believe in.
Teaching is somewhat similar to promoting. Teaching is like promoting the subject you're passionate about. As a student, I could feel it when a teacher is passionate about his/her subject. Naturally, I believe that we tend to do better with a teacher who is passionate about his//her subject no matter how bad that teacher is at teaching. Okay, I sound schizophrenic but aptitude and passion for teaching is important too.
After all, I can't believe I actually decided to enter this service line again. A month flew past and I learnt many new lessons as I meet different people who shared different stories with me. I'm truly grateful for that. To those who stand for 12 hours for 3-4 days straight, to those who are afraid of answering to their company for poor sales (There are seriously no people on weekdays), to those who have been in this line for 20 years (Stepping in before the sun in fully up and stepping out after the sun sets), to those who enjoy promoting their products, to those who work on weekends just to earn money and to those who constantly ensure that customers are satisfied, thank you for sharing with me your work experience. As a future customer to be, I'll ensure that I'll be a considerate and responsible one.
