Store Manager

Store Manager and British Leather Council Leather Trainer

What does your role at Plush involve?

I am a Store Manager at Taylors Lakes and also a British Leather Council Leather Trainer for Plush. I divide my time between my store and training new staff to become leather experts. I have a great team at Taylors Lakes lead by Danielle who keeps the show on the road while I am away. We also train new managers and staff for other stores at Taylors Lakes, but most importantly I am part of the team that made Taylors Lakes an “A” store and we intend to keep it that way

Describe some of the main skills you need to be effective at your job?

Listening is the most important skill any sales person can have. I try to listen to my customers, my teams and the participants in training sessions as much as I possibly can to hear their needs but also so I can learn something new every day. Oh and lots of energy and heaps of enthusiasm, I love what I do

What makes your job rewarding?

The big challenge is helping sales staff understand leather, how it’s made, which leather is best for each customer and how to use that information on the sales floor; all the knowledge in the world is useless if it doesn’t help our staff help their customers to make a choice they are going to love.

How has your career at Plush changed or developed?

I started with Plush five and a half years ago as 2IC at Taylors Lakes; I became a Store Manager a year later. In February 2008 I was given the role as BLC and Product Knowledge trainer, while remaining as a Store Manager at Taylors Lakes which keeps me out on the floor in touch with customers and our sales teams. I love this it helps me keep my training relevant.

What has been your career highlight?

Without a doubt being lucky enough to go to the UK for the British Leather Council accreditation training has been the highlight, followed closely by being part of the Taylors Team when we won Store of the Year.

What makes Plush a great place to work?

I have had lots of fun, had great opportunities like the Good to Great course and worked with really good people. I’ve never worked within a group where everyone is so happy to be here and happy to see one another succeed, that’s what keeps me coming in each day. (And the fact that there are some really serious tea drinkers around here)

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

What time? I have a very large garden, one acre, vegies, fruit trees, chooks and the rest. I spend every spare minute gardening or cooking for my family –Kids, their partners and extended family. We love to have long lunches in the garden with lots of family and friends and too much food. I can be lured back to the city on my days off, as long as it involves galleries, opera or the ballet.