Tip Sheet: October 2004

Published

20 years ago

October 1, 2004

Instore presents ideas for better business

[componentheading]NAME TAGS ARE IMPORTANT[/componentheading]

It’s networking season. Which means it’s the perfect time to invest a few bucks in a custom-made name tag that will let prospects know — at a glance — what you do. Example: a bright red heart tag, that reads: “Bringing Love To Johnson County” (insert your town or county name here). People will actually cross the room to see what your tag says, giving you a great opportunity to introduce your business.

Source: Mary Gillen; Idea Site For Business

[componentheading]OWN UP TO MISTAKES[/componentheading]

Have you ever screwed up, big-time? As a storeowner, it’s time to step up and take responsiblity. One way to handle it is to do what Doug Bergum, founder and CEO of Great Plains Software, did. During one of his company’s annual conferences, he walked up on stage and discussed in great detail a mistake he had made. He then proceeded to smash three fresh eggs on his forehead.

Source: Bob Nelson; I,001 Ways To Energize Employees

[componentheading]DON’T FORGET THE EYES[/componentheading]

Keep in mind that a smile originates in two places — the mouth and the eyes. Give your customers a mouth-only version, and it looks like your smile was pasted on. It’s like saying “Cheese!” for a photographer. But your eyes are the true window to your soul. If you can’t muster a convincing smile, practice in front of a mirror until you get it right.

Source: Paul R. Timm, 50 Powerful Ideas You Can Use To Keep Your Customers

[componentheading]PRAISE, PUNISHMENT[/componentheading]

We all know that employees are more motivated by positive feedback than negative feedback. But we never knew before what was the proper ratio for parceling out praise and punishment. Turns out the optimum ratio is five positive comments to every negative one. But don’t overdo it: increasing the ratio to 13 positive comments to every negative one does more harm than good.

Source: Tom Rath and Donald Clifton, How Full Is Your Bucket?

[span class=note]This story is from the October 2004 edition of INSTORE[/span]

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."