Marijuana Business Magazine

systems, take accurate messages and share information with manage- ment in a timely manner, such as feedback on products and what cus- tomers are seeing in other stores. “We find that anybody who’s done hostess work in restaurants comes more than qualified. If they’ve done reception work at busy medical offices, that’s perfect,” she said. Dresbach has one receptionist who worked in the same role at a bustling hair salon. “She loves it here,” she added. “We definitely look at people who enjoy that line of work and have some experience with it.” W hen hiring a receptionist, be aware of red flags that can signal a poor candidate. They include a history of high job turnover, poor grooming and a lack of customer-facing experience. For Jennifer Dresbach, operations manager at Monarch Wellness dispensary in Scottsdale, Arizona, job hopping can be a deal breaker. “A spotty job history is definitely the first warning sign or red flag for us,” she said. “That’s somebody we’re not really interested in interviewing.” She added that “an absolute turnoff” is someone who shows up for an interview under the influence of cannabis. Poor grooming habits are another strike against a candidate, given that the receptionist represents the business and is the first point of contact with a customer. “We’re looking for people who can put themselves together in a professional manner,” Dresbach said. “We’re trying to change the ste- reotype. We don’t want people to think there’s a bunch of stoners working here.” Being in Arizona, a medical marijuana-only state, Dresbach wants candidates who respect the patients and want to provide compas- sionate care. “You have a tendency in dispensaries to have a lot of people apply for jobs who are looking for free product,” Dresbach said. Wanda James, owner of Simply Pure in Denver, is wary of anyone with all back-of-the-house experience – in other words, someone who has not dealt directly with customers. And great grooming is a must, she said. “This person is going to be the face of what everyone’s going to judge your business on,” James added. — Bart Schaneman HIRINGWARNING FLAGS consumption we have to make sure no one lights up a joint in the parking lot on the way out,” Hollister said. Still, he’s not looking for an intimi- dating presence – along the lines of an armed security guard. His current receptionist is a 70-year-old Vietnam War veteran. “I think that veterans are a great fit. He’s retired and spends a few hours each day here. He gets to say hello to people and send them off with some (cannabis) in their hand,” Hollister said. Wanda James in Colorado agreed on the value of having an older person at the front. Her receptionist is a 75-year-old retired man who “absolutely loves the industry.” “What I like about him is he’s not the norm. You’re expecting the 22-year-old young woman,” James said. Her receptionist also puts custom- ers at ease. “When you have this 70-plus man sitting up there at the front with all his wisdom and everything else it already makes people feel like they’re going to have an amazing time at the dispensary,” James said. To reduce turnover, she avoids hiring receptionists who want to become budtenders. Instead, James hires people who genuinely like greeting customers. But limiting your choices to such candidates can narrow your hiring options. “Because everybody, when they come through, they want to look at the receptionist job as getting your foot in the door or the best way to learn to be a budtender,” she explained. Ultimately, James wants someone who is outgoing. “Are they engaging when they first walk in?” James asked. “Are they just one of those people who just seem to smile when they see you? Does their face light up?” To Keenan Hollister, co-owner of Pakalolo Supply Co., a recrea- tional marijuana retailer in Fair- banks, Alaska, compliance is the top priority. Hollister is concerned about a fake ID getting past his receptionist or that person falling victim to a sting, where someone who’s underage or using an invalid identification is used by law enforcement to test a busi- ness’ compliance practices. He wants someone who is alert and knows and follows the regulations. His receptionist also monitors the parking lot for loitering. “Because we don’t have any onsite 152 • Marijuana Business Magazine • November / December 2017