9to5mac:
Apple is pushing for retail employees to initiate conversations that build trust, enabling the employee to serve as a valued fashion advisor during the purchase process, similarly to how traditional watches are sold. Apple Watch sales training programs will take place for Apple retail staff over the course of the next two weeks, teaching entirely new sales techniques to encourage iPhone upgrades, assist with gifting, and guide customers in watch and strap choices.
This seems logical. But Apple Watch is the first product I can think of that requires such a left-shift in thinking and, in approach, from Apple Store employees. The iPhone and Mac were there pretty much from the beginning. And when the iPad arrived, it was a close enough experience to the iPhone interface that people made the move all by themselves.
The Apple Watch is a different breed altogether. This is the first Apple product that might prompt you to ask, “Does this look good on me?”
Left shift? Or right shift?
The Retail division seems to be the greatest source of leaks for Apple.
“enabling the employee to serve as a valued fashion advisor”
Uh, yeah. Apple Store for fashion advice? Not so much.
Apple store employees giving fashion advice. Now there’s an ironic concept.
Much as I like the Store experience I don’t see most of the current store people as able to credibly give fashion advice. First, they’re wearing polo shirts and khakis. Second, it’s not a fashion store. They could easily hire specific people to do this and rearrange stores to have an area dedicated to Watch (aside from the special table I mean), but if they want to take this approach I see them selling Watch in stores where people who are interested in fashion shop. This is one reason for Ahrendts’ hire – getting Apple wearables into Nordstrom, Macy’s and other stores. Get the Edition line into jewelry stores too. Not, probably with this release (they’ll want to educate themselves first) but next year or the year after? Very likely.