Hello everybody and welcome to Hawkins.
I very much hope you will enjoy working here and indeed that some of you may take the opportunity to join our permanent staff.
Now my purpose this morning is to give you a short overview of Hawkins and a few pointers about working here.
Then I'll hand over to Celia, Head of Human Resources, to begin the training proper.
Right, now we've seen quite a mixed history in sales recently at Hawkins.
Five years ago we saw the beginning of a success period as sales climbed at an exciting rate but then they went flat again for a few years, although we're delighted that they've recovered in the last year to rise again so the future looks bright.
As a company we have to watch and be proactive about where these sales are coming from.
All of you here will be allocated to different departments but you may be interested to know where your area stands in relationship to others.
Hawkins was traditionally basically a clothing retailer and clothes remain an important part of our business but over recent years we've seen that reduce as food and electrical have both grown, leaving us equally balanced on all fronts at the present time.
This is a situation we'd be pleased to maintain although the general increase in food spending is predicted to affect all major players in our sector.
Well that's us, what about you as temporary staff, where do you fit in?
Any business that operates in a changing climate must rely heavily on contributions from a flexible proportion of its staff and Hawkins is no exception.
Last year we recruited temporary staff into every department and this year we've done that again, actually increasing the numbers and we expect to take on an even higher proportion next year.
So you'll be playing an important part in our success.
We regard the Hawkins approach to the retail business as something special.
Our mission statement, the guiding idea behind everything we do, is based on quality and is phrased creating value for customers and this belief applies to every customer and every purchase however large or small.
Happy customers means good business for us and your main aim must always be to keep customers happy.
If any kind of problem or complaint arises don't try to resolve it yourselves or simply leave it to a colleague but get the assistance of your line manager, it's his or her responsibility to sort it out.
A properly resolved problem will mean we get a loyal customer for life and that's why we need to make sure that everyone who shops here feels they have had a positive experience, not just a routine transaction.
We like to remind customers that everything we sell in Hawkins is high quality, it's the basis of our advertisements but keep customers informed, let them know about special offer products.
To keep yourself up to date about these and all the other aspects of the company please look carefully through the newsletter that we publish each month and something else you'll need to do regularly is to talk with your section supervisor and you do this in your progress meetings which will be every Thursday, ok?
Right, just a few things and then I'll hand over.
I think you were all asked for details of your certificates when you filled in your initial application form.
Can you make sure that you provide the Human Resources Office with copies of them by the end of the week?
There's a pile of information videos on the table at the back there and I'd like you to take one each and please make sure you watch it carefully when you get home this evening.
It contains lots of important facts and advice.
Will you also pick up your security pass by the end of the day from the office on the fourth floor as you'll need it to get in tomorrow.
Don't forget you'll need it to obtain your staff discount when you make any purchases.
Ok, that really is it from me, so now, Celia, if you'd like to take over...
