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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.

Profits_Plus Solutions


December 2006
Volume 8 Issue 1
The beginning of our 8th year!

Article of the Month

Was Michelangelo trained?

Just this past month, I was using this article as an example to an audience. If you have talented people, are you stifling them by not allowing them to utilize their talents? Click on Article of the Month to view and read this article.
Book of the Month


Hidden Persuaders
by Vince Packard

This book is a classic. When you look on the title page and find out that it was written in the 1950's, you will be amazed at how marketing and branding has been with us for years.

We have more books to suggest for your reading. How about a New Year resolution for 2007 to read more business books? Click on Book Referral to visit this page on our site.

 

Contact Us:

Profits Plus
P.O. Box 128
Dardanelle, AR
72834 USA
(727) 823-7205 Voice
(727) 898-3179 Fax

Seminar Logo
Business Advisory

This is the way it is supposed to work!

Bill Kendy is a great friend who is also a writer and speaker who knows selling, inside and out. He called this week to share a personal experience. It was so neat as I could feel the excitement in his voice.

He was walking into an auto parts store to purchase a gallon of anti-freeze. He said the salesperson was friendly and polite. As he was at the register, the salesperson said, "You know, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that we have wiper blades on sale this weekend. Regularly $8.95 each, you can get two for that price."

The salesman continued, "Now I know you are thinking, 'the last thing I need is a pair of wiper blades'. But wiper blades don't tell you when they are going to fail. $8.95 is a really cheap price to keep yourself safe in your car. Are you married? Does your wife drive her own car? I can help you select the right blades for your wife's car and you will have that same piece of mind for her and her safety."

Wow! What a way to take care of customers! Bill said he made a point to stay in the store and watch the salesman work his magic. The percentage of closing the sale on wiper blades was exceptionally high. Why? Because the salesman was selling peace of mind, not wiper blades. What do the people in your business sell?

Internet Tip of The Month

New Calculator: Gross Margin Discount

33! That's the new head count on the number of calculators on the Profits Plus website. We have always prided ourselves on listening to you - whether we see you at a trade show or conference, or when you correspond with us by e-mail or phone.

The first of the new calculators we want to introduce is designed to help you plan your seasonal markdowns. While it is not a common practice with small businesses, larger businesses use a tool just like this calculator. The idea for this calculator is that you are able to plan the markdowns for an item for the season.

You start with the initial amount of inventory and the gross margin. You have the option to take markdowns of an amount you determine for whatever quantity of inventory you choose. Do this several times over the season for that product and the calculator will show you how much gross margin you will have maintained for the entire season.

Click on this link to visit this page: Gross Margin Discount Page

The Power Promoting Idea of the Month

Magic Santa Dust

This month's power promoting idea comes from one of the members of our staff. D. Wendal Attig has been with us since we first opened Profits Plus. He is responsible for the Profits Plus logo, and all of the artwork for all of our books and company images. This promotional idea is one that he learned by way of a store in New York state. Click on this link to read the letter that D. Wendal sent to us five years ago.

Magic Santa Dust Story

 

 

 

 

 

PROFITS PLUS, FOUNDER OF...

 

©1998-2026 Profits Plus Solutions, Inc.
Tom Shay
PO Box 128
Dardanelle, AR 72834
(727)823-7205

MARCH 2026
Have the Small Business Advisories and News sent to your inbox. Subscribe HERE

Small Business

AdvisoriES


Every time I see the logo for Target stores, I think about small businesses and the need to know which people to target as their customers. Of course, of most importance is the person who has spent any money with your business.

 

I ask businesses if they know how much the average person spends with their business. Most offer a quick response with a dollar amount. That answer is incorrect as they are telling me what the average existing customer is spending. The average person in any community spends no money with that small business.

 

Looking for new customers without any plan of how to do so is just spending money. That is why every small business needs to know how to find and use information. Find ideas in the March Small Business Advisory.

Small Business

NewS

Top Story

Employee retention; is it important? Or is it easier to lose an employee and wait for the next applicant to walk in the door? The Small Business News for March shares some statistics of the expense you incur when you make the change instead of working to retain a current employee.

Article of the Month

It is baseball season and we use the sport as an explanation of the cost of growing your business. In Boston's Fenway Park, left field has a wall that is know as the green monster.

 

And that is what growing your business is - a monster! You can't successfully grow your business without a plan and knowing you will have the cash on hand to pay for the growth.


Book of the Month

Are you selling something or persuading the customer? With your employees are you repeatedly telling that employee or are you persuading them to excel?

 

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Ciaidini is our suggested book for March 2026. Most definitely an appropriate read.

All this plus the Internet Tool for Your Business and a staff incentive idea for your business.
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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

Every time I see the logo for Target stores, I think about small businesses and the need to know which people to target as their customers. Of course, of most importance is the person who has spent any money with your business.

 

I ask businesses if they know how much the average person spends with their business. Most offer a quick response with a dollar amount. That answer is incorrect as they are telling me what the average existing customer is spending. The average person in any community spends no money with that small business.

 

Looking for new customers without any plan of how to do so is just spending money. That is why every small business needs to know how to find and use information. Find ideas in the March Small Business Advisory.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

Employee retention; is it important? Or is it easier to lose an employee and wait for the next applicant to walk in the door? The Small Business News for March shares some statistics of the expense you incur when you make the change instead of working to retain a current employee.


Article of the Month

It is baseball season and we use the sport as an explanation of the cost of growing your business. In Boston's Fenway Park, left field has a wall that is know as the green monster.

 

And that is what growing your business is - a monster! You can't successfully grow your business without a plan and knowing you will have the cash on hand to pay for the growth.


Book of the Month

Are you selling something or persuading the customer? With your employees are you repeatedly telling that employee or are you persuading them to excel?

 

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Ciaidini is our suggested book for March 2026. Most definitely an appropriate read.

 

All this plus the Internet Tool for Your Business and a staff incentive idea for your business.