You wake up with an excruciating toothache. You’ve just moved to a new town and haven’t found a dentist yet. How do you find one that is skilled, trustworthy and affordable? A new research study looks closely at the ways in which customers make decisions when choosing a service business. The study, which is due […]
Retail Insights
3 Ways to Anticipate Customer Needs
Like many people, I’ve changed my shopping habits over the last few years as the economy faltered. I tightened up spending and began to budget and plan for shopping trips more carefully. I try to avoid impulse spending and am aware of stores’ marketing gimmicks to get me to buy stuff I don’t need. But […]
11 Business Tips for Summer
If your business is strictly seasonal, you’re probably already planning to post job ads, interview and hire staff in anticipation of opening day. But even if your operation is year-round, you still need think about the impact of summer on your business. Here are some great business tips to help during the warm summer […]
Customer Service: The Good, The Bad, The Fake
Ah . . . customer service. Is there anything that enrages the general consumer population, frustrates executives or keeps account managers up at night more than the topic of customer service? The purpose of this article is not to debate the validity of customer service. In fact, I’ll go on record to say I am […]
Cash or Credit? How Payment Methods Affect Buyers
Imagine you have two customers, both of whom are looking for the same product. One customer plans to pay for his purchase with a credit card; one with cash. Should your sales pitch vary for different payment methods? The answer is yes.
Professional Image: Three Steps to a Great Store
What differentiates a good store from a so-so store? Three principles: visual appeal, simplicity and ease, and an enjoyable shopping experience. All three of these components depend on one important quality: a professional image. Visual Appeal A great store is able to showcase its merchandise in a cohesive way. All of the fixtures call […]
New ADA Signage Regulations Start Today
The Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act of 1990 was designed to make public buildings and businesses accessible for individuals with physical disabilities and prevent discrimination against the physically challenged. Although the guidelines were comprehensive, the law created many confusions when it came to ADA signage. In 2010, the Department of Justice, along with the U.S. Access […]
Employee Retention: Flexibility Matters
As a business owner, you probably don’t have a set schedule. You work until the work gets done (or you drop from exhaustion). But you also have some flexibility. If your kid gets sick or needs a last-minute ride to soccer practice, you can usually walk out the door and deal with your personal […]