Tip Sheet: March 2005

Published

19 years ago

March 1, 2005

Four fresh ideas to better your business

[componentheading]MUST-SEE WEBSITE[/componentheading]

A9.com, the new search engine from the folks who brought you Amazon.com. The website includes a virtual “Yellow Pages” — including pictures of each business (taken automatically by vans equipped with cameras). Not all areas are available yet, but just give them time. Enter the search jewelry and then your zipcode to see if you’re online. You can then add comments about your business.

Source: Instore

[componentheading]NEGOTIATING TIP[/componentheading]

Negotiating tip: Forget the stone face. When a customer balks at your price or asks for a discount, go ahead and cringe visibly. The flinch will often put your opposite member on the defensive and force him or her to try to justify the request or offer a concession. Don’t overdo it, though: you’re not supposed to appear terrified, merely surprised.

Source: Selling Power Magazine

[componentheading]INSTRODUCING: YOUR BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR[/componentheading]

Your biggest sale of the year is here, and you want to make sure that you’re jam-packed with customers. You’ve spent big on advertising and done heavy direct mailing. What else can you do? On the day of the sale, hire people to wear sandwich boards promoting the sale in big red letters. (“50% Off! Today Only!”) Have them stand at major intersections within a one-mile radius of your store.

Source: IDEA SITE FOR BUSINESS

[componentheading]KEEP ADVERTISING FOCUSED[/componentheading]

Take Coca-Cola, for instance. The company owns nearly 80 different brands of soft drinks, but they’ve never run an advertisement for all of them with some catch-all claim like “Bubbly, sugar-based liquids in a variety of different tastes for all your thirst needs”. If you feel you have three important things that you absolutely have to say … well, then just buy three ads.

Source: Luke Sullivan, Hey Whipple, Squeeze This

[span class=note]This story is from the March 2005 edition of INSTORE[/span]

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”