This the second article in a three-part series that offers an in-depth look at the onboarding and implementation process for Dutchie POS. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. You are responsible for your own compliance with laws and regulations.
The right cannabis point of sale software can unlock a more satisfying experience for customers both in-store and online. Upgrading to a new POS system can also simplify the checkout process, enable dispensaries to create engaging loyalty and incentive programs, and improve overall operational efficiency.
But making the switch isn’t just a matter of choosing a different solution or upgrading hardware. Regardless of the reasons for the transition, comprehensive staff training is crucial to successful implementation. The more time your dispensary invests in training staff to use a new POS, the greater the likelihood that the transition will be smooth for customers and budtenders alike.
If you’re considering a switch to Dutchie POS, here are five ways you can train your budtenders to use it effectively.
When it comes to mastering a new POS system, there’s no substitute for hands-on experience.
Dutchie offers a comprehensive library of support content, including videos, to help dispensary staff get up to speed on Dutchie POS. And while step-by-step tutorials may provide a useful overview of the process, many people find that doing the process themselves is a far more effective way to learn.
Even budtenders who prefer training videos may not retain that information as effectively as they might by using the new POS system themselves. This can result in longer checkout times, customer frustration, and even lost sales.
Before training staff, set up Dutchie POS exactly as it will be when used in the store. All hardware and accessories should be connected properly, and each employee should have their own unique POS user account with roles and permissions assigned.
Even if Dutchie POS is easier to use than your current cannabis POS, some budtenders may worry that they’ll be losing access to historical sales data, customer profiles, and other important information.
During training, show budtenders where they can find historical data in Dutchie POS. Their ability to recommend specific products to customers requires it!
Once Dutchie POS has been installed and legacy sales data has been imported, you’ll want to give your staff an opportunity to test some transactions on the new system. This typically involves routine tasks such as completing a purchase using different payment methods or processing returns.
Even the simplest POS systems have a learning curve. For this reason, you may want to choose quieter periods to conduct real transactions with Dutchie POS. Practicing with real customers is likely to be a lot easier during quieter periods because lines will be shorter, and staff may feel less pressure as they get used to the new system.
Early morning during a weekday may be the ideal time for most. For others, it might be during the final hour of a store’s day or just after the afternoon rush. It may also be worth considering the preferences of individual budtenders.
Migrating to a new cannabis point of sale system can be challenging, and so can training budtenders to use it. The less time staff have to acclimate to Dutchie POS and learn how to use it, the greater the likelihood that mistakes will be made when the system is live.
Offer enough training time for budtenders to develop the muscle memory to access common features and perform routine tasks. The longer staff have to practice conducting transactions and navigating a new tool and workflow, the more confident they’re likely to be during real interactions with customers. This means faster, smoother transactions, fewer mistakes, and happier customers.
Also consider the different ways people learn when developing training programs for dispensary staff. As such, a one-size-fits-all approach to staff training may not be effective. Consider spending time with individual budtenders to ensure that they’re able to successfully complete routine tasks on the new system.
Investing enough time in staff training can save both time and money in the long run.
After introducing your budtenders to Dutchie POS and giving them enough time to learn how to use it, ask specific questions about their experience to surface potential issues and to make staff feel that their opinions and expertise are valued.
Asking general questions about, for example, access to the reports and customer information, can be a good starting point. Then, drill down with follow-up questions. Ask for examples of reports budtenders can’t configure or information they can’t find, and offer actionable solutions.
Asking open-ended questions rather than simple yes/no questions can help you get more candid, thoughtful feedback. For example, you could ask budtenders what additional functionality would help them serve customers more effectively, or which apps and integrations could improve the checkout experience.
Training retail employees to use a new POS system takes time. But with a little planning and attention to detail, upgrading to a new POS doesn’t have to be difficult.
Dutchie’s step-by-step onboarding process makes switching to Dutchie POS easy. As your budtenders learn how to run transactions, accept returns, analyze customer data, and more, your customers won’t notice a thing.
Ready to explore Dutchie POS? Contact us for a demo today.
Dutchie is the leading technology partner for cannabis retailers of all sizes. With a range of solutions covering point of sale, payments, ecommerce, insurance, and more, Dutchie empowers dispensaries to run efficiently, scale their operation easily, stay compliant, and offer outstanding experiences to the customers who rely on them.
