Paul Boulton has made a big impact as an advanced apprentice in a small charity shop. Since becoming a store manager at Barnardo’s, Paul, 24, has sent sales rocketing by 70 per cent and has grown the team of volunteers to more than 50.
With a full-time staff of three people, plus the volunteers, the challenge of management is comparable to a much larger retail operation. But Paul has not only managed the task; he has excelled.
Solely responsible for the recruitment, retention and training of all staff and volunteers, Paul continually aims for higher standards of customer service. Weekly sales targets are consistently exceeded.
For Barnardo’s it means a productive branch where Paul and the team are motivated to be ambassadors for the charity beyond the shop as well. Paul said: “I really enjoy my work. We have an excellent team of 53 volunteers who are like a second family.”
His retail and management training has instilled in Paul the need to focus not just externally on the customer’s needs but also internally. Personal experience – he first walked through the door at Barnardo’s as a shy volunteer with poor qualifications – means Paul is driven by helping those low on confidence. “I’ve ensured that the confidence and morale of each of our volunteers has greatly increased,” said Paul. “They feel effective members of the workforce and I’ve encouraged the majority to embark on their own work-based training qualifications. Many volunteers have moved into employment.”
Lorna Forrest, Area Business Manager at Barnardo’s, said: “Paul is successful because he believes in people. He believes in the worth of every individual and recognises the potential this has to offer for the business. That is why Paul has achieved very challenging targets over recent years.”