Introduction

The goal of this interview was to discuss the everyday tasks, struggles and management of a

manager in a small-sized fashion business. We interviewed Ms. Angela Jennice Raniel, who

has been in this industry for four years and managing Sesum Clothing Shop for one year and

three months.

Interview Summary
We interviewed Ms. Raniel at Sesum Clothing Shop on December 10 at 4:30PM. We
inteviewed her personally in their shop. We have learned that being a manager has a set of
skills needed. For example; time management, team leader and being organized. Being a store
manager in this industry we need to adapt on the fast moving paced of this generation. We
should be innovative to make our store updated on the trends.

Question: Can you describe your role as a manager in this organization?

Answer: My role is to manage the sales and inventory of the store. I monitor the sales of the
store every month to track which item is in its peak. I also, handle the stores social media,
posting new arrivals or seasonal sales to boost revenue.

Question: How long have you been in a management position, and what led you to this role?
Answer: I have been in this manager position since 2020 of March. I was once a Cashier then
a Barista then became a manager for I have been in the sales industry for some time now. My
knowledge on this has given me a spot in the management position.

Question: What are your primary responsibilities as a manager?

Answer: My number one responsibility is the sales and inventory of the store. For me to
know what trends and peak items I should order for the next new arrival.

Question: What is a typical day like for you as a manager?

Answer: A typical day as manager is checking the store if its clean and organize then I scroll
on social media, checking the trends and what artist or bloggers are wearing or using. After
that checking our social media and posting some new arrivals or posting onhand items. My
job is to make the account up to date.

Question: What skills do you believe are essential for a successful manager?
Answer: For me it’s the organizational skills, by prioritizing what task should be done first
for me to finish before the deadline and to ensure the quality of my work. Also to multitask
vairous resposibility like sales, inventory and marketing.

Question: How do you balance technical, human, and conceptual skills in your role?
Answer: By always be up to date on the latest tools and technologies like software sales
tools or inventory management systems. For human by communicating well and be
emotinally intelligent, be empathize on each persons feelings. And for conceptual always
thinking stragetically. Seeing every possible outcome and think creavitely to solve problems
and adapt to changes in the business environment.

Question: How do you make important decisions for your team or department?
Answer: By asking my team’s opinion and make a vote on which decision we should go
with. It makes us storger as team by listening and suggest ways to make our store strive.

Question: What management style do you use, and why do you think it’s effective?
Answer: I always use the democratic management style, it allows engagement and
innovation, and it lets team members be more valued. This also let us to see the problem in
every aspect we can think of and find solutions in every genaerations way of solving
problems.

Question: How do you motivate and engage your team to achieve their goals?
Answer: By always encouraging them to share ideas and feedback. We should have a open
comunication by having meetings to know if they are struggling and need help. I always
have bonuses or I reward their efforts in the store for they will feel recognized.

Question: How do you handle conflict within your team?

Answer: I make them talk it thru. Sometimes this kind of conflicts are caused by
misunderstandigs and gossipers who don’t give the right tea. Conflicts with co workers are
very dramatic and it sometimes disrupt the business

Question: How do you ensure effective communication between different levels of the
organization?
Answer: I ensure that every voice is heard by creating an anonymous feedback. So they
won’t hold back on giving suggestions or complains.

Question: What steps do you take to develop the skills of your team members?
Answer: I conduct assessments to identify if what part are they lacking for me to help them
and encourage them. So I can point them to a role they can achieve a great results.

Question: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a manager?
Answer: This particular scenario I have enountered as a manager is if I should tell the owner
that one of the team members had made a very big mistake which she forgot the order of one
of our customers and made our customer irate. This cause a very big meltdown on our
customer because it was supposed to be a gift. We solve the issue and talk it through with
the customer. I told the owner it was my fault and accepted the consequences.

Question: Can you share a difficult decision you had to make and how you approached it?
Answer: If I should help a team member from a expulsion or should I still belive that he will
do good in his performance. I chose to help him than going against him.

Question: How do you handle underperforming employees or difficult situations within your
team?
Answer: I will talk to them one-on-one and help them on what they are having troubles with.
I encourage them to do better because all the help I am doing is for their own good. I will
ask if what is the reason why you need a job. Give them inspiration to make amends with
the underperformance they have been showing.

Question: What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain work-life balance?
Answer: I always have a day for every week to relax. I like watching movies or series in my
bed with snacks or I read books or I sleep. To replenish the enegry. That I need every week.
I sometimes call my family and talk to them to ask how are they are doing. Just the simple
things can make us relax. Little hobbies to do every day off. Or a walk at night while
listening to music. Site seeing the city at night. It’s very therapeutic. Just silence and nothing
else.

Question: How do you align your team’s goals with the overall objectives of the
organization?
Answer: By clarifying the vision and mision, familiarizing them the stores purpose and the
long term goal. I remind them everyday. Before our shifts start we do a brief meeting.
Reminding our goals and objectives. To make them stay on the lane we want to go.

Question: How do you foster innovation and encourage creativity in your team?
Answer: By listening to each and one’s ideas and to convert them into a bigger idea. Emerge
everyones ideas to formulate a plan. We sometimes check the social media to check the
trends and peak items.

Question: What role do you think leadership plays in your management style?
Answer: Leaders should focus on prospering the teams skills and strenght, providing a clear
vison and taking one lane to our goals. This gives impact on ensuring the teams are been
met and showing the team’s effort make a difference.

Question: How do you stay updated with changes in your industry or field?
Answer: I subcribe to famous bloggers and artists to always be on the trends. Especially to
bloggers who are also entrepreneurs or are in the business industry. I usually attend
conference or video conference. I really like participating on business conference to widen
my understanding on different aspects. This conference with my peers make me see things
on a different angle.

Question: What advice would you give to someone who aspires to become a manager?
Answer: They should be more empthatic, we manage the store and also the team members.
We should be friends and co workers but still have a line on where we stand. Its not always
worth it on saving on a team member and destroying your own reputation.

Question: Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known before becoming a
manager?
Answer: That I really taught that being a manager was a walk in the park. I never knew the
responsibilities it has. It really overwhelmed me at my first three months. I really did my best
to adapt. Now it is reallly a walk in the park but in the depths of war cause you will never
know if there will be a problem that will resurface.

Question: What’s the most rewarding part of your job as a manager?

Answer: By finishing a task or a job, it. Has a different satisfaction everytime.

Question: What are your long-term goals as a manager or leader in your field?
Answer: By keeping my members in check, they should always follow the lane I want them
to go. My goals are very simple and I don’t like creacting unrealisitic goals to myself.

Analysis

Ms. Raniel is very keen on her weekly sales quota, she aims to reach that by doing strategies

like posting everyday to reach a certain amount of viewers. She manages her time effectively

by adding new stocks daily, updating the inventory list and posting stocks on social media.

One thing that can motivate her is when she reaches her weekly quota, she receives

incentives. She checks the qualityof the stocks before displaying it at the shop. To ensure the

quality they give to the customers. This reflects on their customer satisfaction.

Insights and Reflections

From the interview, we have learned that being a manager is never easy. You must have the

skills to do multi-tasking. You should communicate with your customers properly. As we

have observe while doing this interview that you should adapt on how you treat a customer

based on their personality. We should apply on the roles and functions to achieve our goal in

business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this interview has broaden our learnings and perspectives. The importance of

adaptibilty, problem-solving and communication are the important skills in becoming a good

manager. We can apply this learning in the future.

References
Raniel, Angela Jennice. (2024, December 10). Store Manager at SESUM Clothing Shop.
Interviewed by Sacro, Lourdes Ann and Mendiola, Andrae Nicolas.