In Rožňava on Miners' Square, the Milk-Agro store has been offering its quality products for 15 years. And for 15 years, a well-coordinated team has been working there almost in its original composition. We asked the store manager Aurélia Hronecová and her deputies Katarína Hronyeczová and Monika Pajtaiová how this is possible.
What were the beginnings together like?
Deputy Katka: We have been working together for more than 15 years; before that, we sold at the same place for another food company. We have been functioning together for 20 years. The store premises were large; there were 18 of us. We all moved to Milk-Agro on June 1, 2003.
What made you decide for Milk-Agro?
Manager Aurélia: I did not sleep for a week because I had to decide on behalf of all of us whether to stay in the original network or move under Milk-Agro. Colleagues told me: "Whatever you decide, we will go there." It was difficult; we did not know their products well because at that time they had no store on this side of Soroška; we were to be the first.
So what decided?
Deputy Monika: Definitely their products. And the company management personally brought us their yogurts to taste (laughs) so that we could get to know the assortment we were to sell and liked it. That won us over.
How can you work together so long and effectively?
Manager Aurélia: Certainly, you have to tolerate some things because everyone is different. And not every day is a good day. For us, it is mainly about communication and trust. Personally, I prefer openness when solving problems in the team. You know, who today would say they would put their hand in the fire for someone? And I would put my hand in the fire for my team. I am strict but do not need to raise my voice when explaining or warning. I have learned that you have to talk nicely with everyone, among ourselves, and also with sales representatives, suppliers, or customers. I will not say there are no problems, but we are here to solve them.
What do you consider important to keep a customer?
Deputy Katka: Today everything is important. The location of the store, how you have products arranged, what goods you have.
What do you have to monitor?
Manager Aurélia: The expiration of individual products, refrigerator temperatures, turnover of individual product assortment, cash register books, orders. Ordering is a whole science, what relates to what. Each of us is responsible for a part of the assortment, which she monitors and prepares orders accordingly. For example, one is responsible for bread and pastries, another for water, alcohol, another for yogurts or fish products. When ordering, stock status is also monitored to avoid unnecessary stock increases. You need experience, and we stick to not wasting. We do it as if it were our own. We try to make customers like to come to us and feel good here.
Do customers like to come back to you?
Manager Aurélia: Yes, we have customers who come not only to shop but also for good advice. We often meet customers asking if SABI products contain probiotic cultures and if they are free of preservatives. More and more people prefer to buy our yogurts over any others. And some time ago, we gained the possibility for our customers to buy at Cash & Carry prices. And we immediately noticed increased sales.
We wish the whole team that their relationships and enthusiasm at work last as long as possible.
