Posted by retailmakeover on April 17, 2012 0 Comments
I wanted to share this article from John Reh with you. It gets to the point about management style and effectiveness.
How to be a Better Retail Store Manager
"The need for good managers, people who can manage themselves and others in a high stress environment, is increasing.
I believe anyone can be a good manager. It is as much trainable skill as it is inherent ability; as much science as art. Here are some things that make you a better manager:
As a person:
- You have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You are happy with who you are, but you are still learning and getting better.
- You are something of an extrovert. You don’t have to be the life of the party, but you can’t be a wallflower.
- Management is a people skill - it’s not the job for someone who doesn’t enjoy people.
- You are honest and straight forward. Your success depends heavily on the trust of others.
- You are an includer not an excluder. You bring others into what you do. You don’t exclude other because they lack certain attributes.
- You have a ‘presence’. Managers must lead. Effective leaders have a quality about them that makes people notice when they enter a room.
On the job:
- You are consistent, but not rigid; dependable, but can change your mind. You make decisions, but easily accept input from others.
- You are a little bit crazy. You think out-of-the box. You try new things and if they fail, you admit the mistake, but don’t apologize for having tried.
- You are not afraid to “do the math”. You make plans and schedules and work toward them.
- You are nimble and can change plans quickly, but you are not flighty.
- You see information as a tool to be used, not as power to be hoarded.
Take a look at yourself against this list. Find the places where you can improve and then get going. "
Very Best
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on April 11, 2012 0 Comments
I am very proud to let you know that:
WALLTALK is Partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society
Ronda Pegnam, president of Walltalk, a leading manufacturer of decorative quotes and words for walls, announced that the company will partner with the Canadian Cancer Society commencing with the April Daffodil Campaign. This initiative, which will run until the end of 2012, aims to raise both awareness and money by manufacturing and selling two specially marked inspirational wall décor quotes to their retail customers.
Ronda Pegnam, president of Walltalk, a leading manufacturer of decorative quotes and words for walls, announced that the company will partner with the Canadian Cancer Society commencing with the April Daffodil Campaign. This initiative, which will run until the end of 2012, aims to raise both awareness and money by manufacturing and selling two specially marked inspirational wall décor quotes to their retail customers. From the sale of each quote sold, $1 will be donated to the society in support of cancer information and support services.
WWW.WALLTALK.CA
Don't forget to have a look at Shoppetalk today;
Best
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on April 08, 2012 0 Comments
I picked this up from a recent newsletter from Retail News;
In Style Trends:
Five days, 1000 plus exhibitors, one million square feet, 17,000 retail buyers – the Toronto Gift Show is the most comprehensive market in Canada for sourcing giftware, home décor, jewellery and fashion accessories along with housewares. It's here that suppliers unveil their newest collections and their latest distribution agreements. As we travelled the aisles of the 10 halls at the show, we were on the lookout for over-arching trends. There were plenty to be spotted, but here are four of the most prevalent. Enjoy!
MASCULINE MANNERS
From antiqued leather couches to the dapper 1960s style of Mad Men, unabashed masculinity is on one big power trip at the moment.
FRENCH FLAVOURS
Savour a perfect Parisian macaroon or the scents of Provence, as products reminiscent of French patisseries, hotels, restaurants and apothecaries are plentiful.
BOTANY
An anatomical take on the nature trend, Botany is about an appreciation for the minutia of natural beauty like the detailed intricacies of a butterfly's wings.
BRIGHTS FEEL RIGHT
We've broken free from the repressive constraints of “greige” and are now lusting after bolts of bright colour.
Read more...Retail News | Retail News Now! | Current Issue
As always,
Best
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 29, 2012 0 Comments
Retail Makeover Grady's Feet Essentials Ltd.:
It was my pleasure to be part of the Grady's team as the retail store designer. Rebranding Grady's for today's market place. Tony and Kelli are very pleased with the results and have seen a consistent increase in sales.
[caption id="attachment_2606" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Tony and Kelli on opening day"]
[/caption]
Before:
[caption id="attachment_2609" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Before the Retail Makeover"]
[/caption]
After:
[caption id="attachment_2612" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="After the Retail Makeover"]
[/caption]
Congratulations Kelli and Tony, Grady's Feet Essentials Ltd.
Very Best
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 26, 2012 0 Comments
WALLTALK Introduces Additions To SHOPPETALK
The “We love…” collection of removable decals from Walltalk is the latest line extension to Shoppetalk, a collection of repositionable signage for retailers.
Designed to increase sales and profitability, the line was developed in collaboration with retail coach, Barbara Crowhurst.
“The inspiration for this collection came from recent trips I've taken across North America,” Crowhurst told Retail News Now!. “Retailers love what they do and they're passionate about the products they carry. The “We love…” collection allows retailers to share their favourite new or most beloved products with customers."
“One of the key marketing tools retailers have is the front of their stores. Retailers must add signage to their window displays and not miss the all-important trigger from words that tell customers why they should come in and have a look. This signage and this strategy are directly targeted at attracting new customers.”
WWW.WALLTALKSALES.CA
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 20, 2012 0 Comments
Loved this article; had to share it with you:
An accurate and expanding email contact list is vital to the success of your e-newsletter (and an e-newsletter is vital to your success). The following tips on building your database were gathered from professional e-marketers and savvy retailers.
- Tell customers about the exclusive information and sales in your e-newsletter. They're your customers – they'll be interested.
- Encourage your employees to invite customers to sign up.
- Have a guestbook at the entrance or cash? Use it to invite subscriptions.
- If you don't already have a loyalty club, consider starting one – even if the only thing members receive is an e-newsletter to begin with. Then, hold a members-only event and invite each member to bring a guest.
- Offer customers the chance to win discounts or a gift card if they sign up.
- Put your web address on all your ads, flyers, and even postcards at the front desk. Busy customers can visit your site and sign up for your e-newsletter when they're not as rushed.
- Every page of your website should have a “sign up for our e-newsletter” button.
- Include a “forward to a friend” button on every e-newsletter. (Most emailing lists are built this way.)
- Let subscribers know you'll never share their contact information. And never purchase an email list – it will be at best irrelevant and, at worst, illegally collected.
Info Adapted from the Crafting Compelling E-newsletters article published in the January/February 2011 edition of Retail News.
Best
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 19, 2012 0 Comments
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 13, 2012 0 Comments
Tangerine Tango 2012 Colour Of The Year
Pantone colour pros have chosen a vibrant hue to lead the paint chip pack — and influence the design industry for 2012: Tangerine Tango. It’s a high-octane deep orange that radiates energy, warmth and, well, daring.
Take a few minutes to read the whole article in this National Post link.
Don't be afraid to buy this colour. It's not your 70's orange shag rug!
Best;
Barbara
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 06, 2012 0 Comments
Please join me as I speak in Gravenhurst.
Win a Retail Makeover!
The Gravenhurst Downtown Revitalization
Business Seminar Series presents:
BEST PRACTICES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS IN 2012
DATE: Thursday, March 8, 2012 TIME: 6:30 to 9:30 pm VENUE: Gravenhurst Opera House
Pre-registration is requested as soon as possible: mailto:mdelang@gravenhurst.ca
Dynamic Retail Industry Speaker: Barbara Crowhurst
Specializing in helping retail and service businesses “Create Their Own Economy and Thrive”
BARBARA CROWHURST is North America’s #1 Retail Business Coach. She writes numerous articles, blogs, and books, and is an international speaker. Her comprehensive and detailed approach comes from years of working in the industry. Her career has taken her
from working with some the largest corporate retail stores in North America to consulting with tens of thousands of specialty stores.
Barbara's company is leading the way with innovative services such as business coaching sessions by phone, Skype, or in person. Her training seminars are usually standing room only. Her message: "Effective retail is in the detail". Start working ON your Business . . . not
IN your Business! The presentation includes valuable tips for retail and service businesses:
Effective Marketing:
- Bring in new customers and increase visits from existing clients! Know your marketplace and competition; use technology effectively; create a promotional calendar; and learn other basic strategies.
Well-trained Employees:
- Hire and keep great staff! Discover the importance of job descriptions, find out about the best training techniques, and strengthen your management skills.
Strong in-store Sales Focus:
- How to be a sales professional! Learn your role in the performance of your sales staff, increase the average sale, discover add-on sales programs, and deal with common selling challenges.
Valued at $90, this is offered at the low fee of $5 (cash or cheque at the door).
Participation is free of charge to Gravenhurst businesses, with the chance to win a 4-hour makeover on-site on March 9th
Thanks to our supporting partners:
Muskoka Futures, Town of Gravenhurst, Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area,
Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs
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Posted by retailmakeover on March 05, 2012 0 Comments
Be A Better Manager
Your business depends on it.
Loved this information and wanted to share it with you:
" anyone can be a good manager. It is as much a trainable skill as it is inherent ability; as much science as art. Here are some things that make you a better manager:
As a person:
- You have confidence in yourself and your abilities
- You are happy with who you are, but you are still learning and getting better
- You are something of an extrovert. You don’t have to be the life of the party, but you can’t be a wallflower. Management is a people skill - it’s not the job for someone who doesn’t enjoy people.
- You are honest and straight forward. Your success depends heavily on the trust of others.
- You are an includer not an excluder. You bring others into what you do. You don’t exclude other because they lack certain attributes.
- You have a ‘presence’. Managers must lead. Effective leaders have a quality about them that makes people notice when they enter a room.
On the job:
- You are consistent, but not rigid; dependable, but can change your mind. You make decisions, but easily accept input from others.
- You think out-of-the box. You try new things and if they fail, you admit the mistake, but don’t apologize for having tried.
- You are not afraid to “do the math”. You make plans and schedules and work toward them.
- You are nimble and can change plans quickly, but you are not flighty.
- You see information as a tool to be used, not as power to be hoarded.
Take a look at yourself against this list. Find the places where you can improve and then get going.
Best
Barbara
Read More
