2 min read
I once went to a shop to buy a measuring scale and spent more than an hour because they couldn't locate the one I wanted. Staff members went round looking for it only to bring out a rusty scale that was forgotten in the back. As expected, I politely rejected it even when they offered to sell it at a discount. This is a very common occurence and you probably have your own story.
The good news? This can be avoided with the right training. You can have the best inventory app in the world, but if your team don't know how to use it or why it matters, you will still run into problems. Training your staff properly is what turns inventory management from a constant struggle into something that quietly works in the background.
Here’s how you can get your team on the same page when it comes to managing stock:
Explain the “Why” Before the “How”:
People work better when they know why something matters. Instead of just saying “update the stock levels,” explain that accurate inventory keeps customers happy, prevents over-ordering, product expiring on the shelves which ultimately saves the business money. When your team see the bigger picture, they will care more about the details.
Walk Them Through the Day-to-Day Stuff:
Most mistakes happen during the basics: receiving shipments, putting items on shelves or counting stock. Show your staff things like:
Little habits like these go a long way.
Make the App Part of Their Routine:
If you’re using an inventory app and you should be, give your staff hands-on time with it. Let them record a sale, check low-stock alerts, and pull up a report. The more they use it, the less confusing it feels. And trust me, once they see how much easier it makes their job, they won’t want to go back to pen and paper.
Keep It Simple and Clear
Don’t overwhelm your team with 50 different rules. Write down simple step-by-step processes for things like restocking or reporting issues. Even better, assign clear roles to each staff: “You handle incoming shipments, you update the app, you double-check counts.” That way, nothing slips through the cracks.
Do Small, Regular Stock Checks
Instead of waiting until the end of the month or year for a massive count, train your staff to do quick spot checks every week. It’s faster, less stressful and catches mistakes before they get out of hand.
Reward Accuracy, Not Just Speed
Inventory isn’t about rushing , it’s about getting it right. When someone nails their counts or keeps things super organized, give them a shoutout. Positive reinforcement makes people take more pride in their work.
Keep Training Ongoing
Your business will grow, new products will come in, the app might get updates. So don’t treat training as a “one and done” thing. A quick refresher every now and then keeps everyone sharp and prevents bad habits from creeping in.
Pro tip: Pair new employees with your most organized staff member. People learn faster by watching than by reading a checklist.
Training your staff on inventory doesn’t have to be complicated but it does need to be intentional. Show them why it matters, give them the right tools, and keep the process simple. When your team know what to do and care about doing it, you will spend less time fixing mistakes and more time focusing on growing your business.
And if you really want to make life easier, use an inventory app that gives your team real-time updates, automatic restock alerts, and a super simple interface. That way, everyone’s job gets easier including yours.
