Monday, September 06, 2010

 
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Business Tidbits That Contribute to Success Minimize

Ideas to Pass Along from One Business to Another

Almost everything done in business is the result of something learned from someone already in business.  Why waste time reinventing the wheel when that energy could be directed elsewhere?

That’s the premise behind a new Retail Alliance website learning feature called Best Practices.  Retail Alliance members are invited to share a short business tidbit that has contributed to their success.  It might be a resource they have discovered, it could be a visual technique, or it might be a marketing channel.  The idea is to share with other retailers so everyone advances.

For example, Lynchburg Crime Prevention Officer Cindy Koserow likes to remind retailers that they should clean their counters and doors at closing time so the surfaces will be fingerprint-free in case there is an overnight break-in.

Ideas submitted will be included on the Best Practices page along with a photograph of the member who submitted the tidbit.  Each posting will remain for one week and remain accessible via the archive.

To submit an idea send an e-mail to Marketing Director Tanya Profancik at tprofancik@retail-alliance.com.  There is no limit to the number of submissions.
  

Best Practices for Retail Alliance Members Minimize
We are in the midst of cleaning up after significant water damage from a leak in the roof of our leased space.  My Best Practice was to include Business Interruption coverage in my total insurance policy.  This coverage paid average sales during the ten days we have been closed.  The loss of revenue during this time would have definitely put us out of business.  I encourage every business owner to check in with their agent.

Anne W. Doop
The Phoebus Coffee House, Hampton
 

One of the tools that has been most helpful to me in keeping sales up is the Constant Contact program. I try to send out monthly emails, offering discounts, informing them of what is new, and thanking them for being a loyal customer. I make different offers for online sales and in-store customers, so each can benefit. Being an opt-in list, these are my valued customers already, so they appreciate the savings. I also make sure I put a "forward toa friend" link on there so they can send the offer to friends, & that als helps me build my customer base. And Retail Alliance gets you a discount on the program.
 
Hope the idea can help someone else!
 
Connie Todd
Connie's Kids, Ltd, Chesapeake
 
 
Greeting new customers in the same manner as regular customers. Problem brought to his attention by new customers. Open on Sunday and open later during the holiday hours.
 
Hannah's Hall Mark, Virginia Beach
 
 
Obtain demographic information on customer – age, income, ethnicity, employment type
Hand written thank you after each initial visit. Telephone call on birthday.
 
Carla Mackie,
The Full Cup, Virginia Beach
 

Bathroom for customers – Pack bathroom with products that are sold in store (art work, lotions, soaps) – the bathroom is an experience (based on décor) and encourages customers to use the bathroom. Suggest a book called “Customers for Life”.  Use post cards to send out to customers as a means of staying in touch – website called – www.48 hour.com has the cards and are reasonably priced.
 
Worth the Wait, Virginia Beach
  

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