Customer Service: First Among Equals
While all 7 Timeless Principles are critical, Customer Service may be the one that is the most fundamental requirement for a retailer's longevity. Previously, I had written that "for retailers who struggle, customer service is almost always below par." Think about the...
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The 7 Timeless Principles of Retail
There are the 7 timeless principles of retail. True for e-commerce sites and brick and mortar. True for the company trying to align 18,000 workers in the stores or the manager trying to get Sally to show up for her shift on time…It doesn’t matter if you put the...
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Bed Bath & Beyond Remodel 2019
Bed Bath & Beyond is the stack it high merchandiser for household gadgets, home textiles and cookware. Shoppers need towels, a can opener, candles and bathmats. Now stores are getting a major facelift following the 2018 stockholders meeting. That is when CEO Steve...
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Why I Wrote (and you should read) My First Book
Writing your first book is a daunting task. Not the hours at the keyboard. Not finding a publisher. What's hard? Something To Say in a Loud World. What is so important in the world that people need to hear another voice? Why add to the racket of the information age?...
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12 Steps to Conquer the NRF 2019
If you are going to NRF 2019 trolling technology booths in search of an affordable solution that actually does what it claims to improve retail business can be a challenge. I have lost count of how many times I have spent early January in NYC at the Javits Center at...
read moreImprove Your Curb Appeal Infographic
Following up on the latest blog post, here is a fun infographic that outlines basic ways to improve your curb appeal. Courtesy of Graphic House, Inc
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9 Ways to Improve your Store’s Image
If your store hasn’t changed in a decade, it needs an update. A fresh store front and key interior changes can improve store awareness and increase foot traffic. There are many ways to improve your store image. Consider the exterior, interior and digital image your...
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The Benefits of a Simple Yearly Promotional Calendar
It is a surprising fact that most retailers and small businesses do not have an annual promotional calendar. There’s a vague sense that they may have a number of promotional offers available to customers through a previous email campaign or a bounce back coupon...
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Attracting and Keeping Great People
In a competitive industry like ours, our people and staff are key to building sales and profitability. Any store that spends its time bringing new talent on board and initial training struggles to build strong relationships with customers or to become more efficient...
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Interviews from the Hiring Side
I helped a friend with seminars to help folks find and land jobs. I have met a wide variety of people who are looking for work. Some are executives who need to sell the second Benz to make payments on the cabin. Others are passing up dental exams and fresh vegetables...
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