Posted by retailmakeover on May 25, 2011 0 Comments
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. has helped millions of people throughout the world overcome their fears, heal their relationships, and move forward in life with confidence and love.
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She is the author of many internationally renowned books including Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Feel the Fear. . .and Beyond, Feel the Fear Power Planner, End the Struggle and Dance With Life, Dare to Connect, Opening Our Hearts to Men, Losing a Love...Finding a Life, Thoughts Of Power and Love, The Little Book of Confidence, Embracing Uncertainty, Life is Huge! plus her "Fear-less Series" of affirmation books and tapes (Inner Talk for Peace of Mind, Inner Talk for a Confident Day, and Inner Talk For a Love That Works). Her latest book is The Feel the Fear Guide to Lasting Love, which was published in the UK in May 2005 and in the US and Canada by her own publishing company, Jeffers Press, in October 2005.
As well as being a best-selling author, Susan is a sought-after public speaker and has been a guest on many radio and television shows internationally. She lives with her husband, Mark Shelmerdine, in Los Angeles.
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What makes the work of Susan Jeffers stand out? A look at the masses of thank-you letters she receives reveals that her fans--young and old, and from a whole array of life situations--love her humanness, her humor, her willingness to reveal so much of herself, the universality of her message, and the easy-to-understand style of her writing...a winning combination, indeed. They report, "It's as though she is speaking directly to me." The connection is truly felt. And connection is what Susan Jeffers is all about.
"Susan Jeffers is attractive, articulate, artfully commanding..." Los Angeles Times
18 years ago my dear friend and colleague, Donna Messer, told me to get this book. It is still on my reading list every day. I share this with you today. I don't want your fears to hold you back .
Please get you copy to day and give a copy to every one you love.
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on May 25, 2011 0 Comments
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One of the most important aspects of developing strong ways of winning, is the planning. Noted author Mark Twain hit it on the head when he said, "The Secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable ones – then starting on the first one."
This is what I want for you this year. Take a few hours a week to review where your business has been and where you want it to go.
Send me a list of the top 5 things you want to accomplish.
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on May 24, 2011 0 Comments
This Retail Makeover To Do List is a 365 day countdown to a comprehensive retail business strategy that will have you turning your business around in a year.
Launched May , 2011 and will be updated daily.
Day #1 - Stop Procrastinating
Early this year I received this information on procrastination from my friends at Simple Truths. I took this idea to heart this year like never before. Open this link and listen to the message. Over the next 364 days I need you to be open and focused as we start your Retail Makeover .
"Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There is nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task." Simply Truths' Mac Anderson.
Your first step to a Retail Makeover
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on May 07, 2011 0 Comments
Retail lighting for Debbie's front window displays:
Q: Are the display windows being lit effectively?
A: No this is an area that Debbie will have to address.
Q: Is there a dedicated lighting source in the display windows at Debbie's store?
A: No there was none; the window displays were depending on light from within the store.
Q: What is the best type of lighting to install for a window display?
A: Halogen track lighting; the plan will be to install the track on the ceiling right down the middle of the window display area. With a minimum of one halogen bulb/50w per 2 ft of track.
Q: How does mother nature effect display window lighting?
A: If you are in strip plaza or stand alone store outside light will be a strong factor and effect what can been seen in your window display. Notice, because of the intense light factor from mother nature, that on most days your store windows look black and your store looks closed. Your in-store window lighting has to counter balance mother nature, and that means a lot of good lighting has to be installed.
Q: How about Mall lighting?
A: Most Malls understand the lighting issue and look to showcase the front of your store. The light level in Malls is usually adjusted to make your window display lighting effective. If this is not happening you know what needs to be done.
General info:
My pet peeve, the flashing open sign. Please try not to use them.
As always thanks for checking in this week. Now go and see what upgrades you need to make to your window display lighting design. Not sure please contact me.
Next week in part 5, I have a look at Debbie's Cash Counter Lighting. You won't want to miss what I have to share with you .
I hope you enjoyed our Retail Makeover this week. Don't forget to work along with us; contact me, let me know how you are doing or if you have any questions.
Have a great week.
Your Retail Makeover Business Coach
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on April 20, 2011 0 Comments
Here we are, saying hello and meeting for the first time. I thought you might like to meet Debbie. Your going to see a lot of her in the up coming episodes.
"Hello, I'd love a makeover. I think I'm doing a pretty good job but I'd like to take it to the next level. I have too many categories and lose sight of my goal of creating an emporium of memories, smiles, delights, treasures and beauty.
I try to use vintage display pieces but often feel I'm not showing my product to it's fullest. "
Thank you,
Debbie McCormick, owner
Sunnyside Cottage Gifts, Toys & Home Decor
Thanks for checking in with our Retail Makeover this week. Next week I'll take a look at store front signage. You won't want to miss what I have to share with you.
Don't forget to work along with us week by week. Let me know how you are doing or if you have any questions.
Have a great week.
Your Retail Makeover Business Coach
Barbara
email: barbara@retailmakeover.ca
website: www.barbaracrowhurst.com
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Posted by retailmakeover on April 13, 2011 0 Comments
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On arrival I review Retail Store Impact just before I meet with Debbie in Santa Rosa California. It's just before opening around 9.30 am. It's the quiet before the storm! I'm checking the impact of Debbie's store.
Here are the questions I ask myself . I've put the answers and my observations below each one.
Q: When is the first time the store comes into view?- from the street ? from the parking lot? what do I see ?
A: The store is hard to see from the street. Trees in the way. This older strip mall has not been updated since it was built. Not retail friendly at all. From the parking lot you can start to see the store signs but not very well. This landlord should work with the tenants to upgrade the facade of this tired mall.
Q: How does the speed of the traffic impact how the store is seen?
A: From the street if your driving by - the only store you can pick out is the large organic food store. Every other retailer in the strip is invisible. Remember we are talking about increasing traffic . So if new customers driving by can't see that your store is even there . That's just wrong.
Q: What is the effect of parked cars? from a distance ? up close?
A: From a distance the cars cover the store. I'll share how important store signage is because of that very reason next time. The closers you get the more of the store is exposed. But because this older type strip mall allows parked cars in front . Half the store will always be covered. It's not until you get just in-front of the store that all is reveled.
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Q: What's happening around the area in general? is it tidy? does it have a updated look?
A: The area is clean and generally tidy but oh so screaming for an update.
Q: What's happening on either side of the store?
A: The store is well situated. On one side is the big organic food store. It's always good to be next to a big anchor with lots of traffic. The other side of the store is an open corner with a long walk way.
Q: Is Debbie's store better or worse looking then her neighbors?
A: This store looks very good but need a little TLC.
Q: Is the WOW factor happening at Debbie's store?
A: The WOW factor is not going on quiet yet. But it will be very soon.
Thanks for checking in with our Retail Makeover this week. Next week I take a look at store front signage. You won't want to miss what I have to share with you.
Don't forget to work along with us week by week. Go out of you store today and check out your Store Impact. Let me know how you are doing or if you have any questions.
Have a great week.
Your Retail Makeover Business Coach
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on April 07, 2011 0 Comments
Hi It's Barbara .......I'm here in Santa Rosa for my next Retail Makeover
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It's a Hot One (102 degrees)! Just arrived, looking forward to meeting Debbie MacCormick of Sunnyside Cottage who was the winner. I am scheduled to meet Debbie at 10 am.
I'm excited as the whole team at the G&H channel and Retail Makeover have been working on this to happen for nearly a year. Let's go; where is my GPS........
You'll see next week how much Debbie and I covered in just the first hour together! We reviewed her store front, signage and store name.
These are all important concerns for you as a retailer as they are key marketing tools and make the first impression to attracting potential new customers. As I have taught you before, Increased Awareness = Increasing Traffic = Increases Sales.
Until next week from Beautiful Santa Rosa California, your Retail Makeover Coach Barbara Crowhurst.
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Posted by retailmakeover on February 15, 2011 0 Comments
Be the retailer who takes proactive measures as you start this New Year.
Feast to famine that is what these early days of this New Year feel like to retailers. With consumer activity around Christmas Holiday celebrations now but a faint memory, retailers face the slow and long hall through this first quarter. I was speaking to a client yesterday about this very issue. We were talking about her feelings after days with out any sales. It is daunting and it takes a certain business maturity to stay the course, because there are better days ahead. In deciding what to post on my blog this month. I felt this was what you needed to hear from me.
Being Proactive means making the front door to your business open. If you continue to think it will open by itself, you are not acting in your best interests.
Here are my four favorite must do tips. Your work is to invite your existing customer base to visit your store monthly along with looking for brand new customers.
Cause Marketing – I love this because this marketing activity is directed at attracting new customers.
- Stop giving donations as usual. Call up local groups or charities; let them know that you want to send them big fat checks this year.
- What you are asking “ the cause” to do is to tell their membership about your store and what you sell.
- Further, explain that for each of their members who shops in your store you will send the charity or group 10% of what the member spends.
Training Your Staff to Sell – This is vital to your reaching your sales targets this year.
- Your staff needs to know how to sell effectively. Just ringing products in at the till is no longer good enough, your staff must know how to effect sales.
- Approaching more customers confidently is a must.
- Your staff must be able to sell add-ons. It is another key to your success this year.
- Book a training session by phone or Skype with me today. The workshop takes 1.5 hours and will pay for itself almost immediately.
A Promotional Calendar – I would like you to plan 2 to 3 promotional events each month.
- Here are some ideas: sales, special events, demos, educational programs, new product launches, special offers, parties, in store features, super clearances and customer appreciation events.
Monthly Email Blasts – Your plans must include a monthly promotional communications piece sent to your customer list.
- Set your promotional calendar for the year.
- Next, you must tell your customers what is going on in your store and invite them to come and shop with you.
- For those of you who are not collecting customer contact information through your database - the work starts right now. No excuses.
- Your database is one of the most valuable tools you have. Here is a challenge: collect 3 to 5 customer names daily; you will soon have 1,000 plus customers a year on your list.
I need you to be re-energized about what you do in your store. Review what has worked for you in the past to stimulate business, adding the suggestions I have made to your proactive marketing strategy. Start this first quarter right.
Love to hear from you.
Best
Barbara
Check out my many business programs. Hundreds of retailers have already right sized their businesses and are thriving.
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Posted by retailmakeover on January 10, 2011 0 Comments
It's that time of the year! The biggest lesson, I can teach you about being better prepared for your next buying trip has everything to do with one of my major concerns for you. You need to take care not to over stock your store with more inventory then you need for the next selling season. Check this out, if you are not consistently selling through the products you are bringing in for your selling or seasonal cycle , you are for sure adding to your financial debt.
You have to promise me that you will not go to another show with out knowing the following information. Buying trips are expensive. Make them count. Getting ready for a trip is important. The more detailed information you have with you when you go to buy , the more effective your buying experience will be.
Here is what I want you to have a look at before you start packing your bags.
My first question to you is how much stock do you have on hand? Review your current inventory levels next review the reports that tell you how much stock you have and specifically what that stock is. It’s easy to forget what you have in the fast pace that is a buying trip, which in turn can have you buying more than you need or duplicating what you have already.
Pull together your Year To Date sales per category, focus on the same period you are buying for. What you want to see in this information is what sold and what did not. Also what you want to understand is how much of any given category you had to reduce in price to sell thru .
Pull reports that show sales by item , yes detail is important. You can get caught up in the moment during a buying trip and buy the same or similar items that did not sell .
These next two points are in your best interest so be on top of them. 1. Knowing your best sellers. You want to duplicate your best sellers at your next buying trip or if that is not possible find products that are similar. 2. Know your customers likes and dislikes. I recommend you talk to your customers before you go so you know what they want. Do a mini survey.
Reading up on trends is a very good use of your time before going on a buying trip. I want you to know what you are talking about! Buying trends or NEW products are the right focus for you. NEW drives your business. So, do not shy away from trendy purchases, just do not over buy in this area. Use the buying technique of wide shallow purchasing.
Understanding how many times products turn over in your store is an important piece of information. I know that many of you are not on top of this. Calculating the number of turns you experience will insure you do not bring in products before you know you can sell them. Again, this will help you not to be overstocked in any given quarter.
Managing your schedule at a show is always a challenge. My advice, plan 75 % of your time at the show. Do not over schedule every minute; you may not have any time to just have a real good look around. Possibly passing by an opportunity to find the next big craze - Silly Bandz any one!
Make appointments with key vendors. You want to make sure you catch people you need to see during your next buying trip. It just makes sense.
If you do nothing else this is my biggest advise. Set buying budgets before you go. Do not leave home with out knowing how much you can afford to spend. It can be set by item, category, or vendor. My advice, the more detail the better. You will be more in control of the money being spent and make sounder buying decisions.
Just recently, I was speaking to one of my favorite retailers in North America Diane Acheson, after reviewing the list I have prepared for you in helping you get ready for your next buying trip . I asked Diane what she would add . She said “make sure you know where you are staying”. I love that suggestion thank you Diane ,thank you.
Well , it is over to you now. Do the work I am suggesting. Round up the information. You will have a more successful buying trip.
See you at the next show.
Best
Barbara Crowhurst
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Posted by retailmakeover on January 03, 2011 0 Comments
I'm back at my office at Retail Makeover after one of the best Christmases I can remember .
It's a day full of catch up for me. There is a lot doing this coming month .
On my list of things to take care of today was to make sure you started the year off right and booked your Retail Makeover.
Are you certain that you do not want to repeat last years performance? Are you sick and tired of running a business that can not pay it's bills, a business that you are financing from your own pocket or in debt to the bank and paying high premiums. Or may be you are saying to yourself , this is the year I stop over buying and take control of my inventory.
My role as Retail Business Coach is to coach business owners by guidance, support, accountability and encouragement - while helping set sales goals, increase profitability , develop marketing strategies and help you be a better manager of your business. I help you set your business focus by sharing my knowledge with you .
A review of the following information is what your focus should be in these early days of the New Year:
- Profit and Loss Statement for 2010 as a total
- Profit and Loss Statement by month for 2010
- Sales by Category for 2010
- Marketing/Promotional Plan for 2010
You can not set your plans for 2011 until you have reviewed 2010 performance. So please plan to do this work . You will be very glad you made the decision to do things right this year.
I am here for you and want you to start paying yourself better or maybe yes , I know for the first time. My Retail Makeover Business Planing Program is the most effective retail coaching program in North America. Enroll Today through this link:
Retail Makeover Business Program 2011
One last thing:
"Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There is nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task."A movie from Simple Truths:
Eat That Frog
This was one of my many ah/ ha moments today.
Waiting to hear from you
Barbara
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