Say "Hello!" to a greeter

A greeter is one of the most important players in businesses that choose to employ them. It may seem to some like all they do is say hello and good bye but their value is greater than just being the first and last face customers see. The three key functions that fall under a greeter’s job duties are:

• people


• equipment


• communication

While the greeter is there to say hello their interaction with people doesn’t end there. They have to be a wealth of knowledge. Beyond just one department or section, the greeter is expected to be familiar with the entire store. This way they can point customers exactly where they need to go to find what they’re looking for. Information like this is particularly useful for airport greeters and those employed by large discount stores. By saving the customer time, they’ll have time to come back. Another time saver store greeters provide is assistance with returns. Before they have the chance to say, “Y’all come back now!” a greeter’s job is still undone. They must check receipts and offer assistance to package strapped customers, and do it all with a smile.

The greeter is expected to keep the entry and exit areas clean and attend to carts and wheelchairs. They also help with motorized carts and make sure to charge them when not in use. Should a customer set off the alarm, it is the greeter’s responsibility to reset it. They distribute company materials like stickers, maps, or coupons. By operating walkie-talkies they help ensure good communication and facilitate security in the business.

Communicating with customers on where to find items or assist them with returns is as important as the communication they have with fellow team members. They are the company lookout so to speak. If a suspicious party enters, the greeter will alert security to ensure the safety of the other shoppers, passengers, customers, members as the case may be. Likewise, if someone is leaving suspiciously, it is the greeter who will alert security in order to control shrinkage and investigate what mischief may have been managed.

It may seem like a simple job but it takes an exceptional customer service representative to remain cheerful and calm when confronted with rude or even violent people. Though the job may seem thankless it’s still an important one people notice. Ask Smitty, a greeter in a Missouri Wallmart who impressed customers so much they set up a Facebook page for him that now has over 15,270 fans.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer, business owner, and wor-from-home mom.