Is this an annoyance or people that really want to do business with you?

Stuart, Florida is on the other side of the state and further south on the Atlantic coast, so I am definitely removed from the situation. Like many communities, it is smaller and there is a larger community nearby, Palm Beach. Customers have the option of doing business locally or driving to the 'big city' to spend their dollars.

This got my attention because it is on Facebook. The person may simply be one of those 'agitators' that every community seems to have. I do not know and therefore am not qualified to speak to that point.

However, as you read this post I copied from a Facebook page that was created to promote their idea, I invite you to think about this. Here are people in a community that are trying to tell the businesses several things. I see it as:

* I want to spend my money locally.
* I want to spend my money in your business.
* I am willing to make a concerted effort to find other people who feel the way I do.

I hope the business owners in my community will hear of this and make changes so that I can stay away from the 'big city'

The alternative to an effort such as this Facebook page, is to simply take the dollars and go elsewhere.

When I have asked business owners about making changes, too frequently the answer is, 'We can't seem to get that idea to work with the other businesses in our community'.

You don't need to get all of the businesses together. Do it for your business; do it for your customers. Some businesses will eventually see the advantage of changing. Others will not. We refer to those that never change as being 'CAVE' people. CAVE is an acronym for Citizens Against Virtually Everything.

Let me invite you to read a part of what I took from their Facebook page. If I were a business owner in Stuart, Florida I would be thankful that my potential customers have taken the time to tell me what they want.

If the customers don't tell you what they want, will the business owners figure it out on their own? Or will they simply complain about customers that do not shop locally?

The Facebook page, with the typos corrected, said:

'I have a question for everyone, would you like it if Downtown Stuart shops stayed open until late, say 12 on week ends? If they did do you think you would shop in them that late?'

'Now before you answer that, think about how nice it would be to have a nice dinner at Gusto's, then walk to Earthtones check out all their cool merchandise. You could then head on over to Social Sparklers to make the lady smile, (now that I think about, it the men too :) stopping at all the cool shops along the way and ending the night at Crush Wine Bar or Hoffman's for a do it yourself sundae???'

'I think that would be great and hopefully bring more money to Downtown Stuart. What are your thoughts and can it even be done? (I guess I should have asked that first. lol :)'

'A few of the 31 comments received:'

'My husband and I have often said we don't understand why so many of the shops are closed so early and some not opened on Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights, especially the foot traffic, is kickin' down town.'

'I honestly don't know if the need to be opened till 12, but 9 or 10 would not be bad.... Many people do not have to opportunity to get down town when a lot of these stores are opened. I often hear window shoppers say things like "too bad they are not opened". Maybe weekends hours should be 12pm till 10 pm? Something to consider!'

'For sure. I always thought it unusual for them to close so early.'

'It is a synergistic thing...the more stores that stay open, the more people that come downtown....the more people...the more interest for the stores and restaurants to be open. We opened on Sunday night for that reason and hope it will catch on. We are open til 10 and would open later if there is the interest ...Osceola Street Cafe.'

'I have always thought that Osceola was a lot like Lincoln Road on Miami Beach which opens later in the morning and does stay open later in the evening. It's a wonderful walk around and the restaurants would increase their attendance. And just a hint of outside music would add the atmosphere needed.'

'Think it's a brilliant plan!!'

'Bring some much needed energy ... panache and people!!'

'We don't head downtown with out of town company because everything is closed. It would be awesome if it was an option!'

'If the city gave artists permission to set up on the weekends, there would be more of a reason for the shops to open later. Set it up like Pier 60 in Clearwater.. 5x10 space, no tents, umbrellas only and a lottery system, It would be profitable for everyone.'

'I don't get to Stuart very often even though I have a place there. I was surprised when I went downtown and there was very little open on a Sunday.'

'So in conclusion we were thinking that if those who work in downtown Stuart knew, "if they build it, we will come", then maybe we can make downtown the place where we want to hang out and bring our visiting friends and family.'

'If you believe this too, then join our event. If you don't think that you would hang out downtown, even if they offered something more then please decline our event invitation. Stay tuned for more details!!! Please share this and invite all your friends, the more support we have the more likely we are to make a change.'

You do not have to live in Stuart, Florida for this to be the story in your community, or the story about your business. If you have ever heard anything to the effect of these comments, these are strong hints of customers wanting to do business with you. It does not require a change from everyone; just one - you.

$$$$$$

Linda Cahan joined Bill Kendy and I for the August e-ret@iler conversation conference call. Our discussion point was visual merchandising. So you may have thought we talked about window displays and building a display somewhere inside a store. You will want to listen to the conference call recording to hear Linda's observations about the frequency of changing displays.

Yes, we did talk a lot about those aspects of business but we also talked about how the appearance of an individual is a form of visual merchandising. This was applied to those within a business as well as those who are calling on customers at the customer's business or home.

The discussion included comments about the visual aspect of a website, a blog, and the social media.

We got a lot covered in an hour. If you weren't able to join us for the live session, you can visit the Profits Plus website to listen to the recording, or download the recording of the call.

E-retailer conversations

September e-retailer conversation conference call
8pm eastern, Thursday, September 13, 2012

Robbie Brown is going to join Bill Kendy and I for the September e-ret@iler conversation conference call. Allow me to share what I know about Robbie. I have never met him in person or even heard him speak at a trade show or conference. My first experience with Robbie was reading his articles in a trade magazine. His information was correct, on target and definitely lacking in 'fluff' that I too often see in articles.

As I read trade magazines today, I like what Robbie has to say more than what I read from anyone else. He knows how to run a business. When I share his profile with you in the announcements in September I am sure you will also be impressed by the individual who has given his time to be with us for this call. Let me suggest you schedule this now as Robbie is one you will definitely not want to miss visiting with.

You will receive an email announcement about four days before the September conference call, and again on the morning of the call.

Got questions for Robbie? Send them to me now and I will be sure we have them for Robbie during the call.