May 6, 2024

We are definitely in the thick of the busy season! A couple of friendly reminders for handling ourselves: (1) keep your self care routines dialed to stay healthy and at your best (seriously, take care of yourself!), (2) when it’s busy on the sales floor, as Phil says, “be quick, but don’t hurry” and (3) communicate, communicate, communicate– with coworkers and customers. When we can all do our jobs efficiently at a high level and help each other out in all the places where we connect with each other, we all win together!

TAKING CARE OF OUR MOTHERS
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and we will see many people shopping for a special gift for their moms. Our mothers care for us, so it’s time to recognize the sacrifices and efforts that they make. One good example that you could suggest to Mother’s Day shoppers is the Bronwen Jewelry (another order is already on the way and should arrive this week). What are some other great gifts for moms?

NEW PRODUCT DROP: SALOMON CARBON FOLDABLE POLES NOW AT 700E
We have a limited number of foldable, carbon fiber hiking/trail running poles available at the 700E location. They are an approachable $150 price point, which is a great deal for this kind of pole. Most poles that cost less than this are made of a heavier aluminum material.

LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE AWESOME PEOPLE TO JOIN THE SLRC TEAM! DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE?
After receiving some feedback about the schedule and customer flow at 700E from Saturday, April 27th (thank you!), I want to provide some context out of transparency. When building the schedule for that day, we had everyone scheduled who was available (we did have six people with prearranged time off). We would have scheduled more, if available.

The best solution we have is hiring more people, which is something we have been working hard on the past several months. (Other options available that are not as good and could create other issues are stiffer restrictions on time off requests or taking people from other stores. If you have other ideas or any feedback regarding scheduling or staffing, please reach out to Eli directly via W2W or email.) Since adding several awesome people to the team last month, we have hit an atypical dry patch. We have passed on a lot of people who do not meet our high standards, and the few people who would have been good fits for us haven’t worked for various reasons on their end. We are continuing the hiring efforts and looking for a few more people who meet our value system, especially a couple of summer cashiers. We will get them, but it’s been delayed compared with previous years. If you know someone who would be a good fit, please encourage them to apply on our website: https://saltlakerunning.com/slrcjobs/

One point in our favor going forward, is that starting in May students are finishing school and opening up their work hours. In the meantime, while we run leaner than we want, we will make do with the awesome team we have, albeit slightly smaller than ideal. We will exercise the tools and best practices that have proven to be effective, lean on our veterans, and train and prepare our new folks. I sincerely appreciate our managers, trainers, and the whole sales team for putting their best efforts into making it happen especially during the busy season!

SPRING INTRO TO TRAIL RUNNING CLINIC STARTS THIS TUESDAY!
Let your customers know about our Intro to Trail Running Clinic starting soon! Lead by Coach Eli White, each week we cover a new topic, explore new trails, demo a different trail shoe brand, and give tips and advice. This four week clinic is a great way to meet new friends as you train this summer.

WEEK 1– benefits of trail shoes and safety on the trails

WEEK 2– hydration (how to carry water/electrolyte drinks) and uphill techniques

WEEK 3– apparel/trail accessories and trail-specific strength drills

WEEK 4– nutrition and downhill techniques

LOCATIONS: Millcreek, Mt Olympus Trail head, Corner Canyon and City Creek. Exact location details given following registration.

Come join us on the trails each TUESDAY this May starting on the 7th! Sign up at: saltlakerunning.com/groups

SLRC TRAINING GROUPS
Training Groups started last week, but it’s not too late to participate!* Join like-minded individuals on coach-led workouts from April 23rd – July 11th. That’s 13 weeks of twice weekly workouts to prepare you for your next goal!⁠

Salt Lake Running Company Coaches are athletes, health professionals, and mentors. More importantly they are people just like you trying to reach and exceed health and fitness goals. They will give you the personal attention you need to learn and grow, and you will be able to ask your experienced coach any questions you have including nutrition, stretching, rehab, etc.⁠

Our SLRC coaches are excited to start working with you!⁠ Register at: saltlakerunning.com/groups
*NOTES: (1) Customers can join partway through at a prorated price by emailing the coach of the group. (2) SLRC employees can join the training groups for free.

WARM WEATHER UNIFORM REMINDER
We’re all stoked about this amazing spring weather. As is warms up, we are giving everyone a reminder about our uniform policy, which is designed to make sure we have a consistent, professional appearance across SLRC. Here is our policy from the Employee Handbook in Lessonly:

PROFESSIONAL LOOKING BOTTOMS

It is extremely important that the bottoms worn on the sales floor, regardless of the top color, be both modest and professional in appearance. Employees are expected to wear dark colored or khaki pants while on the sales floor. Blue jeans in good condition are approved (i.e., clean, no holes, rips, or fraying). No bottoms which are excessively faded or patched, torn, soiled or immodest will be approved for the sales floor. Shorts are approved under the condition that they are professional in appearance and adhere to the company modesty policy. Swimming trunks, “board shorts” or other bottoms that suggest too casual of an attitude are not professional and therefore not approved for the sales floor. Running shorts are only approved if they are solid black and longer than ¾ thigh length. Running skirts are not approved for the sales floor. Capri length or longer tights may be worn by female employees under the condition they are not viewed as excessively revealing. Bottoms are not provided by SLRC.

MODESTY POLICY

Excessively short shorts (shorter than ¾ thigh length), mini/running skirts, torn tops or bottoms, tight swim suits/compression shorts, sagging pants/short or any other article of clothing that may be viewed as revealing will not be approved for wear on the sales floor of any Salt Lake Running Company location. Certain articles of apparel sold in the store may be perfectly acceptable and appropriate for use during running or racing circumstances, but are unprofessional, and therefore, not appropriate for wear on the sales floor. If you have to ask if it is appropriate or not, it is probably not.

Failure to comply with the personal appearance standards may result in being sent home to groom or change clothes. Frequent violations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

SUPERFEET x SLRC INSOLE CONTEST
Now through May 11th you can win gift cards when you sell SuperFeet insoles.

ON THE SLRC CALENDAR
Tue, May 7th — Intro to Trail Running Clinic Starts! First meeting at Orson Smith Park 7pm (SLRC employees welcome to come for free)
Wed, May 8th — PK Meeting
Thu, May 16th — NNormal Shoe Demo
Thu, May 16th — PPU@SDY Women of Steel TriUtah 12:00-6:30pm

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

“I went on my lunch break hoping it wasn’t going to be busy. It was somewhat busy took about a solid 10 mins until someone was able to help me out. But definitely was worth the wait Chase was a huge help! He was working in-between me and three other customers at the same time. Honestly went above and beyond!” –Erick Portillo

“Nothing like being ignored for 15 minutes and when we finally get help they’re useless. Used to be great and have a wide selection of shoes now all they seem to sell is clothes and no verity of shoes.” -Philip S. [This review is a good reminder that we are not perfect, and we always have room for improvement. It also shows why it is so important to acknowledge every customer, and, when we are busy, let them know we are glad they are here and forecast approximate wait time e.g. “We are glad you’re here! If you can give us about 5 minutes, we will be able to help you shortly.” Sidenote: It’s great that they recognize we sell more than just shoes! :)]

“Their nearly 5 star rating is well deserved! Their employees are so knowledgeable, dedicated, and helpful. It is always a pleasant experience to shop here!” -Kelly W.

“Great experience! Found the perfect exercise shoe and sandal. Highly recommend. Azure took her time find the best solution for me” -Jacob S.

ASSOCIATE DASHBOARD SINCE LAST PK MEETING*
*The date range for the snapshot below is since the last PK Meeting. This will show where we stand within the current time period, and what we can adjust to get above the percentage standards before the next PK Meeting. 

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