This Episode: The Best Strategy To Build Your Business
In this episode of Real Retail TV I discuss what I believe to be the best strategy and philosophy to help build your business. When you adopt this strategy everything in your business will start to become easier and more fun.
Agree with me? Disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Linda,
In my experience, people want, first and foremost, a great experience. Make sure your team gives every customer the same experience you do and things will work out fine. Your customers may prefer shopping with you because they know you, but if you have great people they will remain loyal to your store even if you aren’t there as much. Hope that helps.
Bob
Thanks Bob..great video, love the words of advice and encouragement! I’ve always had a slightly different perspective. Mine is, find out what you are really good at, and very passionate about. In some ways, I guess, its find out your giftings. If it can be narrowed down to just making people happy, wow, you got it made and you can find out what your customers want and go with it. But if you are like me, your skills and passion set is pretty specific, target those who share that passion and have that need or desire, and THEN tailor your offerings to them. I’m pretty sure that if I just set up shop in the most popular area and just catered to what my walkins wanted, I wouldn’t be very happy, and quite honestly wouldn’t be very good at it, and it wouldn’t work, no matter how much money I made. Just another perspective.
Thanks for your comment Brian. I appreciate it. Of course other perspectives are welcome!
I think, that’s why we have a great customer base, because we/I love them. The hard thing for me is, a lot of customers want me to help them, and then I get further behind in ordering/pricing freight.
How do you say to someone, I’ve gotta go, I can’t chitchat all day!
If I’m having lunch or out for a bit. Some customers, will leave and come back another time that I’m there.
In October, this will be my 40th year of doing retail in our town, and April will be 17 years I’ve owned my store.
I’m to the point, where I need to think about selling/stepping back a little. I’m not sure what step to take….
And Bob, thank you to you and Susan and staff for everything you do!
Love your talk Bob..I agree with Carroll above ..Can we find out what works with others and any specific tips..
Thanks Jackie
Hi Jackie!
Check out my reply to Carol.
Bob
Wonderful to see you enjoying the snow and reminding us of this important concept. Focus on them, first for sure!
Thanks Lori!
(1) I would be interested in finding out what tactics others use to find out what their customers want. I understand the professionalism, education, consideration, service, etc. We do that extremely well per our customers. But we also need to find out what they would like in products, add-ons, other services, etc.
(2) Have other owners ever done a “formal” survey of their customers? If so, what have been their objectives, types of questions, length of survey, platform used for survey, etc?
Thank you, Bob, Susan, and the entire WhizBang team for all you do to encourage and support retailers! You are all AWESOME!
Carol,
Great question! Surveys are a good tool, but they are incredibly time consuming and the quality of the information is suspect. I recommend 3 things… 1) Ask your best customers – engage them in conversation. Listen. 2) Keep an eye on the forums and social media groups in your space – this is where trends start to be seen. 3) Hire Management One to help you with your buying. There planning software spots trends way before the naked eye will. It really is an invaluable service!
Hope that helps!
Bob