Yeah, that's a brilliant idea! *sarcasm*

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

My friend works at a specialty store that's part of a large chain.

Management just put a policy in place requiring all employees working on the sales floor to write a current promotion we're running on store supplied business cards, then accost approach customers AS SOON AS THEY WALK IN to give them a card and tell them about said promotion as a way to boost awareness.

It gets better. Let's say that a customer comes in and two employees are working. BOTH employees are required to approach the customer and offer a business card AT THE SAME TIME.

Apparently this is supposed to build customer rapport and increase awareness of the promotions that are running as well as boost sales. Apparently, the more stuff they can convince you to buy, the better "customer service" they are providing you.

I should also point out the store in question has competition in the form of a Wal-Mart right across the street. Say what you will about Wal-mart, but they at least leave you the hell alone when you are shopping.

Management said they'd gotten feedback from stores on the new policy, both positive and negative, but apparently more positive than anything else. (hmmm...)

I'm curious how long this will last.

[JLRodgers]

That sounds like one of those things that should've lasted about 15 seconds:
1) person gives the idea
2) another person thinks "that's stupid" then walks over to smack them upside the head
3) idea killed

[Sliceanddice]

damn wheres gibbs when you need him...

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

That sounds like one of those things that should've lasted about 15 seconds:
1) person gives the idea
2) another person thinks "that's stupid" then walks over to smack them upside the head
3) idea killed

That's how it should work. How it probably does work is this:

1) some big honcho gives idea
2) big honcho mentions he read it about it in a magazine, or saw it on a web site, and mentions how great the magazine/web site made it sound
3) corporate underlings go all "What a magnificent idea! I never would have thought of that! I am unworthy to breathe the air you have just burped! We need to get on this right away!"
4) idea implemented