Scott Laufman
Chesterfield
Summary
Reliable, top-notch sales associate with outstanding customer service skills and relationship-building strengths. Dedicated to welcoming customers and providing comprehensive service. In-depth understanding of sales strategy and merchandising techniques. Astute sales professional skilled at meeting and exceeding company sales goals. Dependable retail sales professional with experience in dynamic, high-performance environments. Skilled in processing transactions, handling cash, using registers and arranging merchandise. Maintains high-level customer satisfaction by smoothly resolving customer requests, needs and problems. Advanced knowledge on appliances, home theater equipment, security equipment and computers. Authorized to work in the US for any employer.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Home Furnishings Consultant
Value City Furniture
Chesterfield, MI
07.2023 - Current
- Advised clients on home furnishing selections to enhance aesthetic appeal and functionality.
- Conducted in-depth product knowledge sessions to improve customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Developed personalized design solutions reflecting client preferences and space requirements.
- Collaborated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of high-quality furnishings and accessories.
- Fostered strong client relationships through effective communication and follow-up services post-purchase.
- Updated customers on scheduled deliveries of furniture to homes.
- Communicated with clients to find and design layout best suited for client needs and location.
- Worked within budgetary constraints to advise quality and design of furniture in houses, apartments and mobile homes.
- Achieved monthly sales targets consistently by implementing effective upselling strategies during consultations.
- Educated clients on proper care and maintenance of their new furnishings, prolonging product lifespan and satisfaction levels.
- Performed cash, card, and check transactions to complete customer purchases.
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better uncover individual needs.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
Retail Sales Consultant
Best Buy
Madison, WI
05.2013 - 04.2023
- Determined solutions for clients promptly and professionally.
- Used consultative sales approach to understand customer needs and recommend relevant offerings.
- Answered product questions with up-to-date knowledge of sales and store promotions.
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items and join reward programs.
- Offered each customer top-notch, personal service to boost sales and customer satisfaction.
- Assisted customers by answering questions and fulfilling requests.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with quick and professional handling of product returns.
- Assisted customers with locating and choosing merchandise in store departments.
Consultative Sales Expert
Sears
Madison, WI
05.2005 - 12.2012
- Input credit and debit card payments in POS system to complete purchases.
- Researched inventory to determine if requested products were available.
- Identified prospects' needs and provided information on suitable products and services.
- Upsold warranties and maintenance plans to customers purchasing merchandise.
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Achieved monthly sales goals by promoting product benefits and enrolling new clients.
- Retained excellent client satisfaction ratings through outstanding service delivery.
- Trained and mentored new sales representatives.
- Increased sales by offering consultation on products and services and applying customer service and upselling techniques.
- Developed and delivered engaging sales presentations to convey product benefits.
Loss Prevention Manager
Sears
Madison, WI
03.2003 - 05.2005
- Trained loss prevention staff, retail managers and store employees on loss control and prevention measures.
- Monitored paperwork procedures to prevent error-related losses.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to report crime and suspicious activity.
- Supervised surveillance, detection and criminal processing related to theft and criminal cases.
- Uphold strict security and safety procedures to protect business from financial losses due to theft or careless mismanagement.
- Performed thorough cash audits and deposit investigations.
- Collaborated with law enforcement in investigating and solving theft and fraud cases.
- Installed and maintained covert security equipment.
- Attentively monitored store and surrounding areas for signs of attempted theft by customers or personnel, intervening when necessary.
- Headed safety and loss prevention programs by guiding staff.
- Trained in interviewing and interrogating suspects.
- Supported audits, shortage control initiatives, apprehensions and disposition by preparing and reviewing associated paperwork.
Loss Prevention Manager
Sears
Wausau, WI
04.2000 - 04.2003
- Trained loss prevention staff, retail managers and store employees on loss control and prevention measures.
- Monitored paperwork procedures to prevent error-related losses.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to report crime and suspicious activity.
- Supervised surveillance, detection and criminal processing related to theft and criminal cases.
- Uphold strict security and safety procedures to protect business from financial losses due to theft or careless mismanagement.
- Performed thorough cash audits and deposit investigations.
- Collaborated with law enforcement in investigating and solving theft and fraud cases.
- Installed and maintained covert security equipment.
- Calmly and efficiently addressed emergency situations such as safety hazards and threats to life or property, deescalating when possible and directing shoppers to safety.
- Attentively monitored store and surrounding areas for signs of attempted theft by customers or personnel, intervening when necessary.
- Generated comprehensive reports documenting evidence of attempted theft and recovered merchandise.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to detain and prosecute theft perpetrators, appearing in court hearings to provide honest and full eyewitness testimony of events.
- Headed safety and loss prevention programs by guiding staff.
- Trained in interviewing and interrogating suspects.
Security Director
Wausau Center Mall
Wausau, WI
04.1999 - 05.2000
- Recorded incident reports with detailed accounts of occurrences.
- Oversaw team of security officers and managed scheduling and performance evaluations.
- Monitored property and investigated areas of suspicion.
- Supervised grounds, employee entrances and exits and security officers on duty.
- Developed improved training methods with focus on public safety and officer awareness.
- Assessed ongoing risk factors and suggested improvements to senior management.
- Demonstrated commitment to public safety by patrolling events and well-populated establishments.
- Established effective security policies and monitored implementation at all levels.
- Liaised with local, state and federal agencies to cooperate in investigations.
- Maintained proper functioning of all security equipment.
- Collaborated with building owners to determine needs and make proactive adjustments to meet changing demands.
- Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate welcoming atmosphere while making safety top priority.
- Oversaw daily monitoring and patrolled buildings, grounds, and work sites.
- Patrolled and monitored premises in company vehicle, on bicycle and by foot.
- Executed security rules and procedures and calmly and promptly escorted non-compliant individuals out of building.
- Inspected suspicious activities and monitored premises for criminal acts and rule infractions.
- Monitored employee activities, confirming compliance with security regulations.
- Reported suspicious activities and persons to law enforcement.
- Reported irregularities such as fire and safety hazards to maintenance.
- Permitted entry with escort for approved persons into secure locations.
- Contacted law enforcement in case of unauthorized persons, documents and materials.
- Warned offenders about rule infractions and violations and verbally evicted violators from premises.
- Participated in staff meetings, special events and professional development activities.
- Conducted random patrols of key areas to spot and control security concerns.
Assistant Security Director
East Towne Mall
Madison, WI
10.1996 - 04.1999
- Supplied security coverage by managing staff schedules to meet operational needs of facility.
- Investigated, prepared and submitted Timeframe incident reports using Software.
- Conducted facility tours to showcase safety and security measures.
- Oversaw parking surveillance to support designated parking areas and minimize suspicious activity.
- Monitored key control access system to prevent unauthorized entry to building.
- Attended safety meetings, conferences and seminars to improve skills, gain expert knowledge and network with industry specialists.
- Developed contingency plans to formulate response and procedures for emergency situations.
- Observed departing personnel to reduce unauthorized removal of property.
- Reviewed and analyzed safety and security programs and proposed revisions and innovations.
- Conducted education, training and professional development programs to increase security personnel efficiency.
- Directed security services and safety functions to align key processes with goals and objectives of organization and regulatory compliance.
- Developed and grew staff competencies through team development, implementation and support of specific training for various responsibilities.
- Coordinated emergency evacuation drills and exercises and developed and improved emergency procedures.
- Kept team compliant with security protocols and appearance standards.
Assistant Store Manager
Westfield Comics
Madison, WI
04.1992 - 07.1996
- Maintained positive customer relationships by responding quickly to customer service inquiries.
- Managed opening and closing procedures and recommended changes to enhance efficiency of daily activities.
- Responded to customer concerns, working with manager to significantly raise customer satisfaction ratings.
- Supervised and evaluated staff, enabling them to improve skills, achieve daily objectives and attain advancement.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Processed payments for credit and debit cards and returned proper change for cash transactions.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Verified inventory counts remained within monthly tolerance levels and compiled financial data in compliance with budget.
- Reviewed sales and gross profit reports to determine options for increasing market growth.
Security Officer
West Towne Mall
Madison, WI
02.1991 - 06.1992
- Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate welcoming atmosphere while making safety top priority.
- Oversaw daily monitoring and patrolled buildings, grounds, and work sites.
- Patrolled and monitored premises in company vehicle, on bicycle and by foot.
- Checked and verified photo identification prior to granting facility access.
- Wrote detailed reports on property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons and unusual incidences.
- Reported suspicious activities and persons to law enforcement.
- Monitored employee activities, confirming compliance with security regulations.
- Warned offenders about rule infractions and violations and verbally evicted violators from premises.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
Winona State University
Winona, MN, US02.1991
General Education - undefined
James Madison Memorial High School
Madison, WI, US06.1987
Skills
Corrective Actions Sales Expertise
Cash Handling Cash Register Operation
Traffic Calming Upselling Strategies
Sales Orientation Product and Service Sales
Persuasive Selling Meeting Sales Goals
Product Recommendations Collecting Payments
Customer Satisfaction Teamwork and Collaboration
Retail Sales Product Knowledge
Retail Knowledge Purchase Recommendations
Money Transfer Systems Returns and Exchanges
Strategic Selling Maintaining Clean Work Areas
Welcoming Customers Ability to Lift 40 Pounds
Suggestive Selling Issue Refunds
Customer Assistance Credit Card Applications
Handling Customer Complaints
Loss Prevention
Surveillance
Security
Merchandising
Timeline
Home Furnishings Consultant
Value City Furniture
07.2023 - Current
Retail Sales Consultant
Best Buy
05.2013 - 04.2023
Consultative Sales Expert
Sears
05.2005 - 12.2012
Loss Prevention Manager
Sears
03.2003 - 05.2005
Loss Prevention Manager
Sears
04.2000 - 04.2003
Security Director
Wausau Center Mall
04.1999 - 05.2000
Assistant Security Director
East Towne Mall
10.1996 - 04.1999
Assistant Store Manager
Westfield Comics
04.1992 - 07.1996
Security Officer
West Towne Mall
02.1991 - 06.1992
Bachelor Of Science - Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
Winona State University
General Education - undefined
James Madison Memorial High School