{"id":34829,"date":"2020-06-29T12:16:56","date_gmt":"2020-06-29T16:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=34829"},"modified":"2021-11-30T11:05:40","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T16:05:40","slug":"connecting-with-customers-while-wearing-a-mask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/connecting-with-customers-while-wearing-a-mask\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecting with Customers While Wearing a Mask"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Connecting
\nIn the past three months (although it feels like an eternity), we have grown accustomed to seeing nearly everyone in a face mask. While many states<\/a> have started lifting social distancing restrictions, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still recommends cloth facial coverings be worn, even if you have no symptoms of COVID-19. Yes, we\u2019re used to it\u2014but it doesn\u2019t make it any less surreal to see the cashiers, salespeople, and retail workers we interact with shielded behind a mask. As consumers, we are just as expectant to be greeted with a smile when entering a store; to be helped with finding additional sizes or product recommendations when shopping around; and to be asked if we found everything we needed when checking out.<\/p>\n

Those working in the retail industry have it rough these days. They are reporting to work when they may not feel comfortable doing it, they\u2019re faced with a looming threat of another sales plunge, and they must spend hours on end breathing through a facial covering. Is it possible to engage customers with happiness and positivity these days? You bet. That\u2019s what we\u2019re here to explore: How to connect with customers\u2014while wearing a mask.<\/p>\n

Be a Friendly Face
\n<\/strong>We need a little normalcy. When shoppers enter a store, pandemic or not, they still want to feel welcomed. And if customers have a choice between two shops\u2014one staffed with grumpy employees and the other with welcoming ones\u2014they\u2019ll choose the latter. A lot of consumers already feel guilty when heading into a store, so try not to fuel that emotion. It will only result in your guests being uncomfortable and possibly choosing to shop online or visit a competitor next time. Urge your staff to make human connections, to smile with their eyes, to ask every customer how they are doing. Kindness in retail goes a very long way.<\/p>\n

Speak Up
\n<\/strong>Yes. It\u2019s tough to be heard behind a mask\u2014there\u2019s a strip of cloth covering your face, so we get it. Salespeople need to speak loudly and clearly now more than ever. Mumbling behind a mask makes your voice even more inaudible and can make you come off grumpy, even if you\u2019re not. Cashiers stationed behind plexiglass have a little more work to do on this front, as they\u2019re wearing masks and <\/em>talking through a plastic wall. Not only should your staff be speaking up, they should be speaking with enthusiasm. Talking loudly while sounding miserable can have the opposite effect you\u2019re striving for.<\/p>\n

Get Creative
\n<\/strong>One of our favorite things to see when we head into public is the wide variety of creative patterns and designs people are sporting with their face masks. While major retail brands<\/a> (including Disney and Anthropologie) are selling their own versions, many crafty consumers are making their own at home. Face masks are the new conversation starters, and whimsical masks take a bit of the edge off the uncertain times we\u2019re navigating. Encourage your employees to really show their personalities through their mask designs. They\u2019ll instantly seem more approachable to consumers. And when combined with the above tips for connecting with customers, they\u2019ll continue to be an asset to your team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the past three months (although it feels like an…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":34830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[128,686],"tags":[398,402,400,399,443,386,628,548,577,550,578,549,535,220,213,345,116,173,536,117,597,595,594,516,401,224,222,172,226,142],"class_list":{"0":"post-34829","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-day-to-day-business-operations","8":"category-retail-financing","9":"tag-affordable-business-loans","10":"tag-affordable-small-business-growth","11":"tag-business-expansion","12":"tag-business-growth","13":"tag-business-line-of-credit","14":"tag-business-loans","15":"tag-connecting-with-customers-while-wearing-a-mask","16":"tag-coronavirus","17":"tag-coronavirus-pandemic","18":"tag-covid-19","19":"tag-covid-19-pandemic","20":"tag-covid19","21":"tag-equipment-leasing","22":"tag-flex-pay-loans","23":"tag-line-of-credit","24":"tag-restaurant-expansion","25":"tag-restaurant-financing","26":"tag-restaurant-funding","27":"tag-restaurant-leasing","28":"tag-restaurant-loans","29":"tag-restaurant-reopening","30":"tag-restaurant-reopening-after-coronavirus","31":"tag-restaurant-reopneing","32":"tag-restaurant-trends","33":"tag-small-business-expansion","34":"tag-small-business-financing","35":"tag-small-business-funding","36":"tag-small-business-growth","37":"tag-small-business-loans","38":"tag-working-capital"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nConnecting with Customers While Wearing a Mask - ARF Financial<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Connecting with Customers While Wearing a Mask- Is it possible to engage customers with happiness and positivity these days? 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