Packaging Your Products The “Green” Way

Wholesalers and retailers impact our environment a great deal. It’s fair to say most American consumers do, as well. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid waste and environmental impact, it is  possible to help reduce it.

One way to consider your impact on our Earth is through product packaging and packaging of products after purchase. A few ways to do this include:

1. Evaluate the need for packaging. Is it a must? Is it decorative? Is it to provide safety to the item (avoid breakage, etc)?
2. Use as little material necessary. Reducing materials to package items can not only help the environment, but also save you money. It should be a goal to design a package so that minimum amounts of material provide necessary packaging while also meeting any packaging guidelines (based on product).
3. Eliminate toxic ingredients. Very simply, you want to avoid additives, adhesives, coatings, and inks that get added to the package that are not safe for human health and the environment.
4. Try to use recycled materials. Reuse of anything is a good thing since one time usage impacts our environmental footprint greater. Challenge yourself and your business to reuse what you can, therefore recycling materials for the better of our Earth.
5. Support recycling. Educate your consumers on what they can do with your package once they no longer need it. To avoid waste in packaging for purchases all together, offer cloth, reusable bags for sale – even if bags aren’t your thing. Then offer a percentage of purchases when these bags are used. It’s a win-win for the environment and your business.

What are your green tips that help your business thrive and Mother Nature? Let us know! Please comment below.

The “Why” Of Dress Codes

Ugh. Dress codes. Most people cringe at the thought of someone telling them what to wear. The real world isn’t a private Catholic school, after all. But should the real world and real businesses – namely yours – have dress codes established?

Dress codes have a bad rap, unfortunately. The reality is, however, that dress codes don’t have to be bad. Sometimes a dress code is exactly what a business needs to help establish a brand look. Other times they provide direction for the not so stylish to follow. And often they simply provide a foundation as a list of do’s… not just don’ts. Whatever the reason, dress codes can actually offer a positive addition to various types of businesses. From fashion forward boutiques to trend setting furniture stores to baby focused shops to service focused bizs, dress codes offer direction on how employees should represent the business in which they work for.

If dress codes are something you currently have in place, consider reviewing how your policies are set in place. Are employees told not what to do, or rather do you set the policies with a tone of yes’? Additionally, how do your employees react to the dress code? There are sure to be whispers if things are not to their approval. But better yet – hopefully you have heard first hand their thoughts on your dress code policies.

If dress codes are something you do not have, consider how your business may be responded to differently if they were in place? One example of this may be if you believe the dress of some of your employees does not represent your store environment very well. If their dress was better suited to your business, do you think customers would respond to this employee differently?

It’s important to always respect each person’s unique character, style preferences and budget. Asking employees to buy clothes specific for their work is not always ideal, however sometimes a necessary evil (hopefully discounts can apply here). It’s important to also remember not everyone enjoys getting dressed the way you may, so a dress code could provide them with relief to the question mark of what to wear everyday. Whatever the reasons, simply remember to be fair and aware of what your policies – or lack of them – do for your business, your customer impressions and your overall brand identity.

Let Change Be Your Goal For 2012

The holidays aren’t over, and many folks haven’t even started with their shopping lists. But as retailers, wholesalers and other small business owners, our minds need to already be on 2012.

January will sneak up on us fast, and with a new year comes time to reflect the past and look forward to what’s ahead. This typically comes down to one thing… change.

What happened in 2011 that you absolutely do not want to change for your business?

What happened in 2011 that you absolutely do want to change for your business?

What changes do you know you need, yet have no idea how to accomplish?

What changes do you know you need, yet have yet to start planning for them to be done?

Whatever changes lie in front of you, it’s time to start executing them. Possibly this means clearing out inventory you plan to eliminate from your assortment. Maybe this means introducing a business partner to your team. Or possibly this means closing your doors… or maybe opening a second, third or even tenth location!

With January sneaking up on us, start to reflect on the changes you want and how you can meet them. This may bring you tears… or a rush of happiness… or a pit in your stomach… or excitement in your heart. Whether good or bad, change can be a good thing.

In addition to what you know you want to change, it never hurts to evaluate everything else on your “to-do” list. The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on store policies, management procedures, associate training techniques, inventory assortment, merchandising habits, customer interaction and more. Start 2012 off right by getting a jump start on your game plan now. After all, you aren’t busy enough already… right?

We’re diving into change too! Retail Minded Magazine debuts in 2012, offering expert advice, education, support and more for retailers & wholesalers! Want to learn more? Check us out at www.retailminded.com/magazine

Starting Holiday Traditions for Your Business

Whether it’s making cookies as a family, decorating a Christmas tree together or opening only one gift the night before Santa arrives, there are many traditions families repeat year after year. As small business owners, traditions can make up favorite memories for your customers and even become traditions of their own. The catch? You have to introduce and keep these traditions going year after year for the spirit of repetition to really catch on. This means committing to them… gulp…. long term.

It’s not too late to introduce a tradition to your business, or possibly it may mean simply marketing something you already do as a tradition. A few ideas that may be right for your business include:

1. Have a special sale separate from any other sale going on (nationally or locally). This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t participate in Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday, it simply means you should introduce one more. And make it big! Add some bang to this sale with holiday extras such as complimentary desserts & beverage, a local musician playing as background noise, extended hours that includes a festive party or partnerships or promotions with area businesses.

2. Introduce a favorite item that is only sold seasonally. Maybe it’s a holiday collectible item, maybe it’s a decorative home piece or maybe it’s a disposable novelty item. Whatever makes sense for your business, introducing something that can be marketed before it arrives and then revved up in marketing efforts once it arrives is always fun. Possibly it’s something no one else in town has… or maybe it’s something a few other stores have. Either way, if you create a buzz around it and make it “the place” to get it, this can create a reason for customers to visit your store with anticipation and excitement… and money to spend. Use press releases to share the news of this highly anticipated item and start taking names to add to your “wait list” of this popular good. Wait lists always spark a special something.

3. Keep some traditions personal – or at least as personal as it should get with business associates! Sometimes the best business traditions aren’t those shared with customers but rather those shared with the employees who work together all year long. If your business operates with even one more person than just you, it’s worth having a tradition to look forward to that celebrates the season – and the year – with your associates. A grab bag gift exchange is fun, but take it up a notch and consider a special holiday dinner, giving back to others together by working with a charity or simply taking time off for fun (together, of course).

Whatever your holiday traditions are, celebrate them by also marketing them to your customers and associates. Make them big by creating the buzz around them to be big for your customers and associates alike to get excited by. Have traditions of your own you already do? Let us know! Please comment below.

 

Calling Editors? Tips for PR Phone Etiquiette.

If you are lucky enough to have PR support, good for you!!! But for many retailers and wholesalers, managing their own publicity is part of their long tasks of to-dos.

To help support you in your PR efforts, consider the following points next time you pick up the phone to call an editor or other media contact.

• Make sure you are respecting the time of day you call an editor. Avoid Mondays and early mornings. Tuesdays through Thursdays in the late mornings or early afternoons tend to be a fair time across the board. By Friday, no one’s mind is on work as much as it is in the other parts of the week, so save your pitch for another day.
• Always introduce yourself to an editor, even if you have spoken with her many times before. They are very busy people who have countless conversations a day. Politely say who you are without expecting them to ever remember your name – although always hoping they do.
• Before going into your monologue about why you are calling, ask your contact if they have a quick minute to talk. This shows you respect their time and also identifies that you don’t want to take up too much of their time. Make sure you quickly point out that you will make the call fast and that you know they are busy.
• If you have to leave a message, speak clearly and quickly. Identify 1) who you are 2) what the name of your store or brand is 3) why you are calling and 4) how you can be reached.
• Hold off until 36 hours before calling your contact again if you still have not heard from them. Chances are they are busy. If they don’t plan to call you either way, your second (or third) call will let them know you are persistent and professional. Remember to be polite and never point blame on them for not getting in touch with you.
• When speaking, give them enough information that they gain interest in your pitch without them having to feel like they need to dig for the story. Be quick, concise and clear in your delivery. Every word counts. And remember – tell them newsworthy information, not just fluff.
• Return phone calls in a timely fashion. Don’t make them hunt you down like you may have had to hunt  them down because they won’t. The competition is tough for press coverage, so get back to them right away or better yet, answer their call right away.
• Before calling your contact, give them time. If you have already sent them a press release via email, don’t slam them with phone calls within the same week. Let some time register before following up. A week is a fair amount of time between your first outreach and initial follow up.

Of course having good phone etiquiette is just one small part to the entire PR mix. You need to also consider how you deliver your content (press releases, via email, via online services, etc.) and your timeline. Depending on who you are pitching, you should refer to their unique PR calendar so that you know 1) what kind of stories they may be looking for and 2) what day / week / month they are working on for future coverage.  For example, a magazine editor in May is likely already thinking about Fall.

Finally, always remember to kill your PR contact with kindness. Let them throw their weight around – not you. Of course, hopefully they won’t play that role but it’s likely they might… and can get away with is. So smile and toughin’ up. PR isn’t always an easy game, but it’s certainly one worth getting in.

Why To Buy? Standing Out In The Retail Enviornment

Consumers are influenced everyday in multiple ways regarding why they buy and what they buy. Retailers are key players – for obvious reasons – in this impact on consumers. But so are friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, advertisements, media, celeberities and more. The catch is finding a way to survive the constant retail overload consumers experience so that your store can stand out among the rest.

For starters, sometimes less is more. Not everyone wants to wear the same shirt as other moms in the carpool lane. Therefore, not being some big name retailer can be to your benefit. Then again, most everyone these days likes a deal. So recognizing you need to be competitive to what the big stores are offering is key. This may mean offering loyalty programs to your shoppers. It may mean offering coupons and special events with discounts included. Or you could stand tall and be that store that never goes on sale. Your call. But be firm with your actions and voice them so that you are part of the retail marketplace in your community – loudly, not quietly.

Publicity involves more than just some fancy PR firm pitching you to the media. It involves you selling yourself, your business and your product in everything you do. It involves getting involved in the community so that you are seen outside of your business walls. It involves paying a few bucks every now and again to promote your business – hopefully in an effort to gain new clients. It involves you as the key step in standing out in the marketplace, so make sure it’s on your to-do list. Without it, your competition is sure to stand out among you.

Now there are always exceptions. Word of mouth can be a great way to gain and keep clients. Maybe good old fashioned customer service is all you need to keep the cash flow coming in. But remember that customers today are bombarded with information that pushes them in directions to buy lots of things… many of which you may offer but they don’t know about. The catch is capturing their attention so that their choice to buy ends up in your cash register. Not some other stores’.

Connecting With Your Customers

Connecting with your customers takes more than implementing a one time strategy put in place years ago. It constantly needs review, updating and lots of TLC. The retail marketplace is saturated with options for consumers, so finding ways to connect to your customer is essential in supporting your unique business.

Social media, networking groups, special events, business to business marketing and traditional sales all open the door to connecting with your customer. But once that door is open, what do you do to actually connect? The tips below can help you in engaging customers, captivating their attention and increasing your sales.

[tweetmeme]1. Improve on your current customer service methods. Think beyond the simple “Hello, how may we help you?” and instead become someone who listens, cares and responds to each individual customer and their specific needs. Are their hands filled with heavy shopping bags from other stores? Offer a place for them to  set their bags down so they can shop your store more comfortably. Is it a hot day outside? Provide small bottles of water to customers -  complimentary, of course. Did you just learn they are shopping for an unexpected loss, such as a funeral? Provide them a discount to help ease the burdens of their pain. 10, 15, or 20% isn’t a ton, but actions speak louder than words. It’s the gesture that counts here! Whatever your current customer service standards are, take them up a few notches. And make sure ALL your employees are trained to accommodate these new expectations.

2. Revamp your shopping environment. Consider if your store screams “easy to move in” or “too tight to walk around”. Are your fixtures intimidating or do customers comfortably reach and touch items in your store? Your goal should be to offer a place consumers want to experience, feel comfortable being in and ultimately feel connected to. Combined with other customer service strategies, sales are near certain to increase.

3. Say “thanks” the good, old fashioned way. Every one loves a handwritten thank you, so offer one. If your store collects contact details from customers, this is a great way to follow up after a sale is made and connect again with your customer. A simple thank you note, even in the form of postcard, offers a nice touch of personal connection between you and your customer. While an incentive to come back again is always nice – such as 20% off your next purchase coupon – the act of saying thanks alone is what really counts here. Be sincere, though. After all, you are thankful, aren’t you?

At the end of the day, your actions speak just as loud as the products in your store. Together, they greatly enhance customer experiences and customer retention. It’s time to connect them both so that together they can connect with customers.

Benefits of Chamber of Commerce Membership

Do you join or don’t you? Like so many other questions to answer on your never ending list of ”what do I do now that I own my own business”, one question you will likely have to – and want to - answer is whether or not you should join your local Chamber of Commerce.

In a simple response – yes, you should. But it’s important to understand why you should join in an effort to really gain from your Chamber experience.

Chamber of Commerces are designed to support the vitality of all businesses within their community. But beyond collectively working to help everyone thrive, most Chambers look at your unique business in an effort to help you uniquely thrive. Some advantages that are included in most Chambers include:

Promotional Opportunity

Through social media, websites, local news sources and more, the amount of publicity you can gain in direct relationship with your Chamber of Commerce is invaluable. It’s their job to constantly be seeking attention for all businesses, so make sure you don’t miss out on these valuable experiences.

Networking

Chambers are a great way to meet new people, including other local business owners. If you take  the time to use networking opportunities to leverage your business growth and overall success, you are sure to see it help your sales. Meeting one new person could result in ten new referrals to your business, so make networking part of your sales strategy. Here’s the catch – don’t be insincere about only networking for this reason. Make friends, build relationships, brainstorm community ideas, seek advice, give advice…. and in return, sales will come to you.

Customer Growth

Any business owner will tell you that making and increasing sales is one of their top goals. Through Chamber of Commerce memberships, you can do just that. A like minded customer at one store could be your next new customer at your store… yet he or she may never know about you unless the store owner tells them. In addition, customers learn about businesses from literature that Chambers put out througout their communities. Often a walking guide tells them where to shop, where to eat and what to do. This is a great reason alone to be a part of your Chamber!

Business Ideas

Bringing your own dream to life is a wonderful accomplishment. But every now and then, there are deadends in your dream that need a little help from others to open up new roads to travel on. This help can come from friends, other store owners, business expos, consultants, blogs and more. Much of this will be provided to you through your Chamber – even if it’s just a reference from one Chamber member to another.

Support

At the end of the day, owning your business can be exhausting. No matter how much you love what you do, working retail hours can wear anyone out. The Chamber gets that. Let them hear your voice, let them know your thoughts and let them be there for you. Together, you can help make your business and your community thrive.

Just like everything else in the world, there are always exceptions. Some Chambers are not so great…. as much as I wish this wasn’t the case. But for the most part, Chambers are there to help you in your business goals. So let them.  Be a part of what your business is – your community and your success.

Did you know Retail Minded offers presentations and workshops at Chamber of Commerces? Find out more by contacting Retail Minded!

Retail Resolutions

Okay, so the reality is that resolutions often get broken. But they are also a great jumpstart to necessary changes and reaching goals. When it comes to retail, your resolution list can be short and sweet or long and tiring. The question is – which resolutions are right for you? Below are some simple resolutions that anyone can add to their wish list for 2011.

1. Training Your Team. It’s easy to hire someone, train them and then let them have at it. But it takes effort to help them evolve as employees, encourage them to grow and motivate them to be better at their respective roles and support them at reaching higher goals. Make it your goal to achieve this in 2011 in an effort to better support your overall business.

2. Promoting Your Store. Don’t let your store blend in with others. It should be your goal to stand out. Even if you aren’t new, haven’t recently renovated or don’t have a new product to promote (though this is an easy way to gain new press), make sure you are reaching out to the media. It should be part of your business plan to acquire press consistently. Local editorial outlets, news stations and radio are consistently looking for new stories. Your story could be their next pick… they just need to know about it.

3. Introducing New Product.Customers get bored with the same thing. While it’s true that some things have been tested, approved and are consistent sell thrus, other products need a kick out the door in an effort to make room for new things.  What new things can enhance your overall assortment? Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit based on customer trends, demographics or customer requests.

4. Focusing On Your Customers. Take the time to really listen to what your customers like, don’t like and need. Talk to them. Listen to them. Have your employees do the same. While you are at it, put customer service on the top of your resolution list and kick yours up a notch. Really make sure your customer service stands out from the competition. This won’t get ignored – trust me here.

5. Lean On Others. It’s so easy to stress over the right product, the right merchandising or the right seasonal buy. But leaning on others to help you with the endless list of retail decisions is sometimes a must. It’s okay to hire support when needed or simply ask questions from your trusted team. You don’t have to do it all.

Finally, be realistic about your goals. Resolutions get broken when they seem too far fetched – but they get met when they are put in place with realistic expectations. Push yourself to make some impactful impressions in 2011, but don’t kill yourself along the way.

Point of Sale Software – You Need To Know This!

Who knew there would be so many things to consider when deciding on your point of sale software? This seems to be the big question with the blank face attached that follows so many retailers when they start their point of sale (POS) software search.

[tweetmeme]Whether you are a mom and pop store or a big chain retailer, deciding on your POS system is a critical step in your retail plan. Even those of you working craft shows and managing a business from home can gain from the right POS software! From improved cash flow to better time management, things you will want to consider for a one stop/shop POS system include:

1. Inventory Management

2. Improved Cash Flow

3. Great customer management

4. Improved Sales

5. Reduced Paperwork

6. Off Site Access

7. Easy Understanding &  Navaigation of Software

8. More Time For You

So now the question is – where do you find this?

Chicago based Cashier Live is on a mission to provide low cost, high value point of sale software to independent retailers. Forget tedious hours of installation – they know you don’t have time to spare. Don’t worry about frustrating training seminars – they make learning a snap. And getting started? It’s free! You simply need to sign up for their free, 30 day trial. And because you can access your POS system online (and without complicating hardware to deal with), it’s easy to get familiar with all the fun, supportive features they offer right away.

Okay, so it sounds too good to be true. A few logistics to get it all going may dampen your good mood, but they have made it all very easy for you – promise. To learn more about Cashier Live, visit www.cashierlive.com.

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