BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading small business management expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Canada Day and Independence Day on the horizon; July is Independent Retailer Month Prepare to celebrate everything!
 
e-retailer logo
June 2017
Volume 18 Issue 7

News of the day - Celebrating the Independent

With the majority of our readers in North America, Canada has their big celebration on the first of July while the U.S. has theirs on the fourth of July. And then there is the big celebration for all of us; Independent Retailer Month.

We first talked about the event in 2003 when we announced that we had created and placed the event in Chase's Calendar of Events, which at that time was the place where all of the days of significance and celebration were posted. It was where the media learned of each of the events to share with their viewers, listeners and readers.


Years later, the event has grown as shown by this photo from Times Square in New York. The bottom of the photo shows the logo on the video screen as one of the sponsors from that year was helping to promote Independent Retailer Month.

The website is indieretailermonth.com and has resources for your business as well as the opportunity to list your business as a participant.

Across North America the desire to do business with an independent continues to grow; mass merchants continue to have problems with many closing locations if not shutting down completely.

As an example, take a look at the beer industry. Note the growing trend to enjoy a beer that is produced locally as compared to having one from a regional, national or worldwide producer. Our independent businesses are the same; we offer products and services that are appropriate to the local area because we are local owners - much more in tune with those living and visiting in our area.

Here is your 30 day advance notice. For July, celebrate independent and carry on!

 

Article of the Month - Visual Merchandising

Ever hear a customer in a store comment they had bought more than they intended? There were likely two parts of the business that came into play. The first we would consider would be the sales skills of the people working in the store.

The second would be the way the store was arranged. And that is what we are looking at in this article. The story is written from the perspective of a business that has service as a primary part of the business; think of a carwash, auto repair center, or storage facility. However, once you get past that, the rest of their business is a store with merchandise just like many of you.

We offer 14 ideas of merchandise placement that can help get the customer to see more of what you offer. And the more they see, the more likely they buy.
Book of the Month - "Win" by Frank Luntz

Books like this month's suggestion have always been my favorite type to read. This is because the book provides input from multiple individuals as well as it makes the book easier to read in pieces. (Few of us have the time to read a book in one setting)

The subtitle of the book is "The key principles to take your business from ordinary to extraordinary" and includes the thoughts by these individuals: Mike Bloomberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rupert Murdoch, Steve Wynn, Larry Bird, Jimmy Connors and the CEOs of MGM Resorts, J. Crew, and Gibson Guitar.

In reading the book, you will find their keys to success and take tidbits from each to add to your business. It is a great book to start your summer reading.
Internet Tool for Your Business - Free posters

Most every presentation I give ends with a slide that provides a thought of inspiration that is relevant to the message I gave. Frequently I see people grabbing their phones and taking pictures of that slide.

We decided to make it easier for everyone by having the posters on the Profits Plus website. The link below takes you to the index page for each of the 41 messages. When you click on any of the messages, the message will format itself to fit on a letter size piece of paper. All you have to do is hit the print button and you have something ready to hang on the wall of your business.
Staff Incentive for Your Business - Let's eat!

With summer we think of being outside. Along with that comes cooking outdoors; the meal frequently being hamburgers and/or hot dogs. With small tabletop grills such as this one, it should be an easy task to fire up the grill and feed your staff lunch. Sure, you won't be able to all sit down at once and eat; you have a business to run.

Just think of adding some lemonade, potato salad, and something for the sweet tooth.

This provides a feeling of being a family; an opportunity to casual conversation. And you are saving your employees the cost of eating out or a change from fixing a sandwich at home and bringing it to work

We want to recognize A Carrot A Day by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, whose book provides the basis for each month's incentive idea.

Profits Plus |tomshay@profitsplus.org | (727) 823-7205 | www.profitsplus.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 2024
Have the Small Business Advisories and News sent to your inbox. Subscribe HERE

Small Business

AdvisorieS

The May Small Business Advisory is titled "Planning for a successful accountant" and is appropriate for many with the April 15 tax deadline having passed.

 

Did you work with your accountant? Or, did you just give them a bunch of papers and wait to receive a completed tax return?

 

Successfully working with an accountant requires a partnership. This month's Small Business Advisory gives suggestions of how to make this happen in 2024.

Small Business

News

Top Story

We see that many small business owners have too much of a focus on the "top line" of their income statement.

 

Increasing revenue is great, but it is not a cure all for any challenges your business is facing. And sometimes, incresing revenue can create a challenge.

Article of the Month

Who is your customer? Some small businesses have no focus. Their customer is whoever calls or walks in the door.

 

And some small businesses have determined which customers, in sufficient numbers, they should spend their efforts to attract.

 

The article of the month shares an old Southern rhyming couplet about business; "The bertter you niche, the more you get rich."


Book of the Month

Lean Startup by Eric Reis is our suggested book for May.

 

As the title suggests, the reader of the book would be someone that is starting their business. However, we see more value than just that.

 

Perhaps you have been in business for many years. We think this book could give insight to items, and methods, that a small business owner should think about with their business today.
x
BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading Small Business Management Expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Small Business

Advisories

The May Small Business Advisory is titled "Planning for a successful accountant" and is appropriate for many with the April 15 tax deadline having passed.

 

Did you work with your accountant? Or, did you just give them a bunch of papers and wait to receive a completed tax return?

 

Successfully working with an accountant requires a partnership. This month's Small Business Advisory gives suggestions of how to make this happen in 2024.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

We see that many small business owners have too much of a focus on the "top line" of their income statement.

 

Increasing revenue is great, but it is not a cure all for any challenges your business is facing. And sometimes, incresing revenue can create a challenge.


Article of the Month

Who is your customer? Some small businesses have no focus. Their customer is whoever calls or walks in the door.

 

And some small businesses have determined which customers, in sufficient numbers, they should spend their efforts to attract.

 

The article of the month shares an old Southern rhyming couplet about business; "The bertter you niche, the more you get rich."


Book of the Month

Lean Startup by Eric Reis is our suggested book for May.

 

As the title suggests, the reader of the book would be someone that is starting their business. However, we see more value than just that.

 

Perhaps you have been in business for many years. We think this book could give insight to items, and methods, that a small business owner should think about with their business today.

PROFITS PLUS, FOUNDER OF...

© 1998-2024

Profits Plus Solutions, Inc.
Tom Shay
PO Box 128
Dardanelle, AR 72834
(727)823-7205