Mrs. Helena Renčková has been working at Milk-Agro for 25 years and is satisfied. Moreover, in September it will be 25 years since she became the deputy store manager to Mr. Renčko, her husband. Their story shows that if competencies are properly divided, it can work well. They maintain a professional approach at work, but at home their "work" meetings have a more personal touch.
How did you start at Milk-Agro?
Mrs. Helena Renčková: When the third store, Opal, opened, I started there as a saleswoman. After half a year, I got the opportunity to work at store number 4 in the housing estate. At that time, my husband started there as the store manager. And since then, we have been working together at one operation.
Mr. Jozef Renčko: My 25 years will be this September (laughs).
Such a long period in retail surely had interesting milestones, do you remember any?
H.R.: We went through many things, from classic sales, through cash registers to sales via computers, and the transition to euros can be mentioned separately.
Which milestone was the most challenging?
H.R.: Sales via computer. Our store was among the first to test computer sales software and we were the ones who supplemented the test module through testing so that other stores would have it easier, to capture as many sales situations as possible and add solutions.
J.R.: Today young people know how to work on computers automatically, they learn from early childhood. My wife and I had to learn everything from scratch back then. From turning on the computer, through basic settings and everything about the program through which we started selling.
You work as the deputy store manager, your husband is the store manager. The store is rated as a successful operation. How does the management itself proceed?
H.R: We have divided competencies, that is the basis and we know how to complement each other appropriately both at home and at work.
J.R.: When I am in the store in the morning, my wife works in the afternoon or vice versa. It is not about distrust of others, we still have another deputy with whom we are satisfied, we trained her ourselves. You know, there are holidays, sick leaves, but the store must always operate. We have tried to stick to that all these years.
Work is not just work for you but also a hobby...
H.R: My credo is that customers are satisfied, that we have enough quality and diverse goods for them. Overall hygiene of the store and the aesthetic impression of full shelves are also very important.
J.R.: We do everything so that not only the company but mainly customers and saleswomen are satisfied. We motivate the whole team to serve people with their work, so that it is not just a job for them but also a vocation. And then, a satisfied customer gives us energy for further work.
You have spent your whole life in retail, among people, what do you think is the most important in this work?
H.R: Gaining and maintaining customer trust is the most important. We have clientele of older people, pensioners, and these are people who come here with a written list and we help them with shopping, pack it into a bag and escort them to the door, we are very happy to serve them, for which they are grateful and like to return.
So how do you evaluate your work at Milk-Agro after all these years?
H.R: I have never regretted starting to work here. The company is promising, stable, and from the beginning set up for family life, for example with opening hours. We are not open on Sundays so that the family can be together.
J.R.: From the beginning, there were rules that the company management adhered to, and that was a sign of seriousness and certainty for me. I am grateful for all those years and if I am still here, it means that the company management is satisfied with my work (laughs).
The Renčko couple has planned a joint retirement and look forward to enjoying that day together. Let's keep our fingers crossed for them.
