January 30, 2008
Here is a snip from the article, see link at bottom for the whole thing…
As small retailers, it’s even more important that we have the inventory in stock. It’s another one of those customer service elements that can separate us from the big guys.
A bit ago, I wrote about the need for newness. And that’s true. You need to offer new products for your customers. But if you’re going to discontinue a line, make sure it’s for the right reasons as follows: (more…)
October 16, 2007
Consumers are fed up with companies that treat them poorly. Without quality customer service, you could be steering a sinking ship. Customer service affects all levels of your retail operation, and everyone involved needs to have the same mindset and follow the same policies. Take these steps to keep shoppers satisfied. (more…)
October 15, 2007
If you could make $25,000 per year or $75,000 per year from little investment of $180, all things being equal, which would you prefer?The answer is very obvious because you would always prefer to earn more compared to less for the same amount of time or effort. To earn more therefore you must follow the principles that make higher earning possible. However, what you must know and write in your success quest mind is that business success in nature is neutral but governed by principles or laws. These proven principles have (more…)
October 11, 2007
With the growth of the Internet, many small businesses have taken to using e-mail marketing to advertise their wares or services, since it costs almost nothing to send out millions of e-mail messages, other than the cost of acquiring the “mailing lists.”
Most of us are weary of receiving these unwanted, unsolicited junk e-mail messages, known as “spam,” now make up something like 80 percent of the e-mail volume we receive. However, many of us who run small businesses may have considered using e-mail ourselves to market our own products or services. Since we receive such a huge volume of spam in our e-mail inboxes every day, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that, since everyone does it, spamming must be legal, as long as you aren’t selling or promoting something fraudulent.
Right? (more…)
April 24, 2007
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Paige Arnof-Fenn: The Entrepreneur’s Life
You never thought you’d admit it, but Mom was right. So sit up and pay attention to how her lessons growing up will help you become a successful entrepreneur today.
Now that I’m older and a little wiser, I can’t help but think about all the encouragement, support and great advice my mom gave me that has helped me become a successful entrepreneur. Although my mother never started a company, she ran a tight ship for my siblings and me, and has managed an extended family as well as any CEO I’ve ever known.
Here are some valuable lessons she taught me that have helped me succeed in business today: (more…)
April 12, 2007
Referrals are a powerful way to increase your sales, and networking is a proven way to generate referrals for your business. When you reach out to other business owners, you are forging an alliance that can benefit everyone involved.
Networking involves meeting with business peers and discussing ways that you can (more…)
March 22, 2007
By Lea Strickland, CMA CFM CBM
President – F.O.C.U.S. Resources
Guest Columnist Special Feature:
Have you heard the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Too many times successful businesses take this perspective on what they are doing and it leaves opportunity on the table.
These are the seven “deadly” sins of success: (more…)
March 19, 2007
The First 30 Minutes of the DayBy TheSalesHunter at EyesOnSales, a community for and by sales professionals (http://www.eyesonsales.com)
Created Mar 17 2007 – 3:24pm
The first 30 minutes of the workday will set the tone for the entire day. For most people, the first half hour of the day consists of settling into the office routine by grabbing a cup of coffee, checking the internet, and, of course, chatting with others. Now, I will never be one to say we have to avoid coffee and/or socializing, but I will be the first to say it is advantageous to put these activities aside until later.
One of the ways that top-performing salespeople separate themselves from others is by effectively (more…)
March 12, 2007
Ok, so your posts under training got me to thinking about the Hostess Program. The reason I do not use the Mary Kay hostess program is because there are too many choices. Face it… a confused mind does nothing… I admit that I have had Choice Fatigue… I had to call in reinforcements via cell phone and force myself not to leave the store until I made a decision and left with something!!!
I simplified my hostess program and dumped the Mary Kay version… no more choices… to sum up my hostess program “you do this and you get that”. Period. Since doing that more appointments hold with fewer reschedules and they even bring guests. FAB!
Soooo….. here is a little more on “Choice Fatigue” (more…)
March 6, 2007
I know a lot of folks seem to think that Mary Kay is the ONLY Company that makes changes to its product lines… heck… some folks seem to think the Company does it in some kind of effort to destroy your business… PUHlease…. ALL Companies have to deal with changing markets, changing trends, changing ingredients…. technology… etc. etc. you get the picture…
Here is what the folks over at Entrepreneur Magazine have to say… (more…)
