The Law of Play and Positive Energy
I’ve been working on a retail theory over the past few years that is proving to be true; I call it “the law of play and positive energy.” Basically, if you ‘play’ with the gear in the store you will receive energy that flows into the people around you – both customers and co-workers.
The latest example followed my recent trip to Washington state. I was energized when I returned to the sales floor and immediately observed a disconnect between the representation of the luggage and the way I felt. We were on different wavelengths. The luggage appeared to be in storage and certainly wouldn’t resonate with someone channeling the excitement of an upcoming adventure. It was an afterthought. So we cleaned off the dust, swept, and placed the items neatly on a table in a better location. We placed vibrant colors up front. Next to the table we created an interactive 'play space’ on a table for Sea to Summit and Eagle Creek travel accessories. We also opened the road atlas to a map of Washington state (but I also frequently reference Utah, Oregon, and California). The items were based on the things I enjoyed using on my trip in addition to the items I also considered relevant to the conversation about travel. The interactive workspace was built in anticipation of a conversation with someone preparing for a trip. It was created by someone on the same wavelength. Sure enough, the very first customer that walked through the door asked for a neck pouch for his passport. We quickly began discussing the nature of his trip and his eyes moved to the interactive table. I was prepared to be the guide for his journey. From there we began discussing his method of packing and proceeded to 'play’ with the compression cubes and shirt folders. He appreciated the guidance from someone who had “been there” and left with three more items than he came in for which will provide added value on his adventure.
If you 'play,’ you receive energy. You must have fun with our products to understand their purpose. Set up all the tents, blow up the pads, get in the sleeping bags and see what you learn! Try on the sunglasses and ask for feedback on the fit – how does it feel when someone says “those look really good!” Try on the new clothes and ask for feedback from your coworkers. How is it sized? What items do you like the most? You may find yourself at the cash register making a purchase! It’s all about channeling wavelengths and anticipating the process. I guarantee the energy you receive from 'play’ will positively influence how you interact with those around you. It’s what makes this job fun!