Speaking the language of consumers is critical to influence

Small businesses are not just a part of our economy. In a lot of ways, they are our economy—and the statistics prove it.

Regularly updated shopper information means better service

One day a friend of mine went shopping at a big box store. (This isn’t going to end how you think.) He was looking for a dog bed, and the one he wanted was featured in the store’s weekly ad. By the time he arrived, there was only one bed left, so he tossed it in his cart and headed for the register.

How to serve your customers well during a major transition

The large banner across the papered doors announced, “In late November ~ The Chapel Store becomes Watermark Christian Store. Visit our temporary location in the Chapel.”

Assigning duties according to ability makes for a great team

As retailers, we have a lot on our daily “to-do” list. From meetings to inventory control, payroll to stocking shelves, we have no trouble keeping busy. It is a given that our daily checklist will go unfinished into the next day only to grow longer. Add in our family or personal life, and it is easy to see how one could become overwhelmed by the day-to-day responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a way to accomplish some items without taking time and attention away from others? What if there were one word that would allow us, as business owners and managers, to truly focus on high-priority tasks without sacrificing the remainder of our “to-do” list? There is such a magnificently simple word—delegation!

How to move your store from surviving to thriving

How to time specific store promotions to increase sales