Work Shadowing at a mobile phone retailer

For a few days now I’ve been thinking about the possibility of doing some work shadowing at a mobile phone retailer somewhere in the United Kingdom.

I popped in to see the 3UK concession in the HMV music store in the city of Reading last week and had a chat with the staff there. It was fascinating. For instance, I remarked on the ‘N95 delay’ issue and the chap there immediately responded saying it really wasn’t a problem for them — as most people who arrived looking for the N95 were easily sold other handsets that were, in his opinion, far, far better for each person’s requirements. I found that a challenging viewpoint because most of my interaction with 3UK customers (or potential customers) is with high tech, geeky folk, who know exactly what handset(s) they want.

I’m wondering, therefore, if it would be a good idea for me to try spending a day, an afternoon, or something, on the shop floor of a mobile phone retailer to see how things work.

Do you have any recommendations? I’m wondering if I approach each of the UK operators and ask for half a day on-the-job work shadowing… and see what they say? If all five agree, brilliant. If only one agrees… so be it.

I reckon it would make for good experiences to report here. I’ll have a think.