Frank Talk
Profits Matter
shore up strategies that build ‘bottom line’
The new reality is that the whole way of managing for profit has changed. However, there are still a number of strategies at hand that can help grow your business, increase sales and drive the profitability this year and into your future.
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Gaining An Edge
build your business’ customer service
What exactly are your competitive advantages? How can you best exploit them to increase your sales? These questions are as basic as business gets but understanding your unique advantages is necessary to ensure your long-term success.
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‘Plan’ To Create Your Own Opportunity
It is time for each of us to look to the future with a new fresh plan for a new exciting business cycle that will move big ideas forward again.
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Fearless Negotiating
thoughts on creating win-win scenarios
A business person skilled in negotiation becomes an invaluable player in any organization— and proper negotiation is both an art and a science that can result in a win-win outcome for all at the table.
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Steve Jobs
entrepreneur extraordinaire
Steve Jobs never sold a coffeemaker or a kitchen gadget but his commitment to excellence makes him an inspirational business leader we can learn from.
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Life
(the best teacher)
Real insight and knowledge comes from daily, practical experiences gained from just living life and from conducting everyday business.
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Entrepreneurs Wanted Desperately
(to create new businesses)
We as an industry need the business, sales and creativity that entrepreneurs make happen.
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Defining Your Store
create a memorable retail shopping experience to not just survive, but to thrive
Some believe independent specialty retailers are at an inherent disadvantage when larger competitors come to town. This is not true. Your store is special and has many important points of differentiation.
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A Path To Success
master the art of being a skilled CEO
Many of us have had the opportunity to observe the effort, work and performance, not to mention some of the amenities, that go with being a successful Chief Executive Officer.
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In Memoriam
celebrating the vision of Howard Lester
It was with a very sad heart that I heard the news of the passing of Howard Lester, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Williams-Sonoma.
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Lessons In Leadership
now is the time to seize opportunities
Now is the time for housewares industry leaders to step forward with big ideas to help guide our industry down new, exciting and profitable paths to tomorrow.
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now is the time to seize opportunities
Now is the time for housewares industry leaders to step forward with big ideas to help guide our industry down new, exciting and profitable paths to tomorrow.
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Managing Risk
build partnerships with key suppliers
Partnering with your best suppliers and involving them in your business can really help you grow in good times and bad. Your suppliers, after all, get you the products, innovation and marketing support to keep customers coming in to your store every day.
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build partnerships with key suppliers
Partnering with your best suppliers and involving them in your business can really help you grow in good times and bad. Your suppliers, after all, get you the products, innovation and marketing support to keep customers coming in to your store every day.
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Return Of The Customer
prepare your store to leverage growth
Every week, I hear success stories from retailers sharing thoughts about how their businesses are doing. They describe how well the consumer is responding to new products and talk about how new brands are motivating their customers to buy. And while no one describes the current business environment as a “turnaround”— that implies a degree of permanency that most don’t yet feel exists in the economy— the consensus is that things are decidedly improving. This is great news!
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prepare your store to leverage growth
Every week, I hear success stories from retailers sharing thoughts about how their businesses are doing. They describe how well the consumer is responding to new products and talk about how new brands are motivating their customers to buy. And while no one describes the current business environment as a “turnaround”— that implies a degree of permanency that most don’t yet feel exists in the economy— the consensus is that things are decidedly improving. This is great news!
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Don’t Overlook This Channel
re-embrace the independent retailer
This trade show season has been a busy one, with buyers scouring for new suppliers, products and merchandising ideas. I’ve been especially aware of independent specialty retailers, who are out to find the products and information that will keep their businesses vibrant.
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re-embrace the independent retailer
This trade show season has been a busy one, with buyers scouring for new suppliers, products and merchandising ideas. I’ve been especially aware of independent specialty retailers, who are out to find the products and information that will keep their businesses vibrant.
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A Housewares Visionary
what we can learn from Howard Lester
American industry has been fortunate to have more than our share of great leaders who contributed to creating what I call the “American Business Machine.” One such leader has been Howard Lester of Williams-Sonoma Inc.
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what we can learn from Howard Lester
American industry has been fortunate to have more than our share of great leaders who contributed to creating what I call the “American Business Machine.” One such leader has been Howard Lester of Williams-Sonoma Inc.
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Lessons Learned
let today’s trials lead to future success
It is amazing how many things I have learned during this recession. The period we are emerging from has shaken confidence in many aspects of day-to-day life and in many of the structures that have always felt strong and solid. Confidence in our banking system has been shattered. Friends, family, or maybe even you, have lost jobs that were counted on for well-being. Sales numbers have fallen for what seems like an eternity and no one knows when or if they will rebound.
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let today’s trials lead to future success
It is amazing how many things I have learned during this recession. The period we are emerging from has shaken confidence in many aspects of day-to-day life and in many of the structures that have always felt strong and solid. Confidence in our banking system has been shattered. Friends, family, or maybe even you, have lost jobs that were counted on for well-being. Sales numbers have fallen for what seems like an eternity and no one knows when or if they will rebound.
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Control What You Can
take steps to keep your life in balance
I am happy and energized to have seen the number of retailers turning out at trade shows this year. From Frankfurt to San Francisco and every regional gift show in between, retailers have mustered up the courage and conviction to search out new products, new merchandising concepts and ideas to get their customers back into their stores and shopping again.
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take steps to keep your life in balance
I am happy and energized to have seen the number of retailers turning out at trade shows this year. From Frankfurt to San Francisco and every regional gift show in between, retailers have mustered up the courage and conviction to search out new products, new merchandising concepts and ideas to get their customers back into their stores and shopping again.
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Inside My Little Black Book
a glimpse at trends driving business
In spite of all the electronic gear we carry, from Blackberrys and iPhones to laptop computers, an unexpected phenomenon has surfaced. It seems today that everyone has a “Little Black Book” and meetings really never get started without most participants placing their book on the table.
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a glimpse at trends driving business
In spite of all the electronic gear we carry, from Blackberrys and iPhones to laptop computers, an unexpected phenomenon has surfaced. It seems today that everyone has a “Little Black Book” and meetings really never get started without most participants placing their book on the table.
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Embracing The Big Idea
innovate today for future success
Summer is here and soon many of us will be participating in outdoor activities with family and friends, and enjoying great food and wine. From a business standpoint we are all coming out of a long cold winter. No matter how much “fuel” we put on the fire we just couldn’t seem to get warm.
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innovate today for future success
Summer is here and soon many of us will be participating in outdoor activities with family and friends, and enjoying great food and wine. From a business standpoint we are all coming out of a long cold winter. No matter how much “fuel” we put on the fire we just couldn’t seem to get warm.
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Making A Sale Is Your Best Stimulus
tap into fundamentals to give sales a boost
There is much talk in the media today about government bailouts and stimulus packages. Each day seems to bring a new program and uncover a new company in need of a bailout. However, the fact is that independent business owners who, like you, took the risk to open a store, are responsible for creating approximately 70% of the new jobs in America. Yet no one is coming to bail you out.
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tap into fundamentals to give sales a boost
There is much talk in the media today about government bailouts and stimulus packages. Each day seems to bring a new program and uncover a new company in need of a bailout. However, the fact is that independent business owners who, like you, took the risk to open a store, are responsible for creating approximately 70% of the new jobs in America. Yet no one is coming to bail you out.
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It’s State Of Mind
every challenge an opportunity if you stay positive
In spite of all the stimulus packages being thrown at our current economy, I feel this recession, like a bad cold, is going to be with us a little longer than we would like. There is a new dimension to today’s issues: the amount of time we are going to have to deal with an economic downturn. So many of the cornerstones of our economic system have been compromised, such as housing and banking, that the light at the end of the tunnel is like a tiny pinhole that doesn’t get closer no matter how much money government throws at it.
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every challenge an opportunity if you stay positive
In spite of all the stimulus packages being thrown at our current economy, I feel this recession, like a bad cold, is going to be with us a little longer than we would like. There is a new dimension to today’s issues: the amount of time we are going to have to deal with an economic downturn. So many of the cornerstones of our economic system have been compromised, such as housing and banking, that the light at the end of the tunnel is like a tiny pinhole that doesn’t get closer no matter how much money government throws at it.
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It’s Time To React Positively
focus on business details you can control
Staying upbeat and positive in today’s challenging world is one of the most important personal traits you have for showing leadership, supporting your business team and inspiring others. “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality that guarantees all others.”
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focus on business details you can control
Staying upbeat and positive in today’s challenging world is one of the most important personal traits you have for showing leadership, supporting your business team and inspiring others. “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality that guarantees all others.”
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Lead The Way
good management breeds great employees
As I meet with specialty store owners around the country, I often hear them vent about employee performance level, motivation and attitude. Somehow, they feel that the quality of employees has declined over the years. When I delve deeper, I frequently discover that the belief is that once an employee is hired, the owner or manager’s job is done.
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good management breeds great employees
As I meet with specialty store owners around the country, I often hear them vent about employee performance level, motivation and attitude. Somehow, they feel that the quality of employees has declined over the years. When I delve deeper, I frequently discover that the belief is that once an employee is hired, the owner or manager’s job is done.
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A Beneficial Partner
a good rep relationship supports your store
Business relationships play a vital role in helping us achieve personal and professional fulfillment. With so much more time today spent working, attending meetings and industry events, or flying around the world to visit factories, the time we invest in work and business relationships can help us reach professional and personal success.
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a good rep relationship supports your store
Business relationships play a vital role in helping us achieve personal and professional fulfillment. With so much more time today spent working, attending meetings and industry events, or flying around the world to visit factories, the time we invest in work and business relationships can help us reach professional and personal success.
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Employ A ‘Big Bets’ Strategy
focus on products that make a difference
“The retailers that will excel this season are those that can digest product information and focus on key product stories that will generate consumer excitement.”
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focus on products that make a difference
“The retailers that will excel this season are those that can digest product information and focus on key product stories that will generate consumer excitement.”
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