BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading small business management expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Frontrunner
Setting your business apart from competition


Sales of items that have the logos or mascots of the universities of teams that play in the national championships of football or basketball are in hot demand. Some of the people who are buying this merchandise are steadfast fans while others are the “Johnny- come-lately” type.

Kids use the term “frontrunner” to describe other kids who have suddenly decided to become a fan of a championship or popular team. This newly popular team has done something to cause it to have a greatly enlarged fan base.

Frontrunning is also apparent in the retail marketplace. For example, mail-order catalog specialists L.L. Bean and Land’s End are household names. Among department stores, Nordstrom’s is known for its legendary service. Attend almost any trade show and you can usually spot the current frontrunner manufacturer or wholesaler by the manner in which it has presented itself.

People want to do business with a frontrunner because they traditionally make such an effort to take care of their customers. Creativity in marketing is crucial if you want to join the ranks of the frontrunners. Look around your business and decide how a creative surge can benefit it. Ask yourself the following:

· Will your employees - your “team” - or the physical appearance of your facility, benefit?
· What is the state of your various departments?
· Have you recently updated your selection of merchandise and the services that you offer?
· How will your efforts benefit customers?

Rearrange your duties and your team’s duties to accomplish the objectives you’ve laid out. Come into the business earlier and leave later. Make the extra effort and let team members know that a sacrifice is being made to make a difference. If you decide that your facility doesn’t need a creative touch, keep in mind that facilities without a positive attitude also seem to have a way of standing out. There are few long term employees, there is no “snap” in the appearance of the facility (it always looks the same) and customers are there because of need - not want.

There will probably also be a need to “gamble” financially. The first gamble that most businesses will think of is to increase inventory levels. If this is necessary, begin with the department or product line that has shown the most growth within the past couple of years.

Prepare for the unexpected, such as unseasonably warm weather early in the season. Empowering employees with the right kind of knowledge to help your business through such a crunch time strengthens the business team while serving customers. By meeting with your staff, outlining the problem and opportunity, demonstrating your willingness to give “frontrunner” service, your team members will be excited about this commitment to excellence.

One business experienced an opportunity for becoming a frontrunner when their business was broken into twice within a month. The burglars cut through a chain link fence that surrounded the property. One of the team members suggested a solution to the security problem.

The suggestion was reviewed and quickly implemented - and it worked. This type of action enables your team members to view your business as a frontrunner. It demonstrates that you are concerned about having a profitable and long-term operating business.

Customers will also sense this type of frontrunning, and if you are fortunate, they will compliment your team. It is a positive team-building experience to have a customer compliment one of your team members in regards to the business at which they work. Your team members will be proud to know that they not only work for a frontrunner, but that they are also considered one.

 

 

 

 

 

7

MARCH 2024
Have the Small Business Conversations, Advisories and News sent to your inbox. Subscribe HERE

Small Business

Conversations

We are taking a break with the Small Business Conversations programs. However, we have the many years of the program cataloged by date on the website.

Small Business

AdvisorieS

The March Small Business Advisory remembers a line from many a western movie; "They went that a-way" and expressions similar to that distract from a business giving great customer service.

Small Business

News

Top Story

The big news item on November 30, 2022 was the advent of ChatGPT; Artificial Intelligence applications which many believe are used exclusively by big businesses.

This does not have to be true as there are many applications we share that have usage in a small business.


Article of the Month

"No plan B"; the subtitle to Van Morrison's Born to Sing album. The idea of no plan B also applies to a small business when you think (or is it when you don't think) about when the time, or opportunity, comes that you can sell your business. Generally speaking, a small business owner gets less money when they decide to close their business.


Book of the Month

"Escape from Cubicle Nation" is the March book of the month. While directed towards those working a corporate job and wanting to become an entrepreneur, we remind readers about utilizing their gut feeling to make decisions in their business.

After all, you did use your gut feeling when you decided to open or purchase your business.

BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading Small Business Management Expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Small Business

Conversations

We are taking a break with the Small Business Conversations programs. However, we have the many years of the program cataloged by date on the website.

Small Business

Advisories

The March Small Business Advisory remembers a line from many a western movie; "They went that a-way" and expressions similar to that distract from a business giving great customer service.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

The big news item on November 30, 2022 was the advent of ChatGPT; Artificial Intelligence applications which many believe are used exclusively by big businesses.

This does not have to be true as there are many applications we share that have usage in a small business.


Article of the Month

"No plan B"; the subtitle to Van Morrison's Born to Sing album. The idea of no plan B also applies to a small business when you think (or is it when you don't think) about when the time, or opportunity, comes that you can sell your business. Generally speaking, a small business owner gets less money when they decide to close their business.


Book of the Month

"Escape from Cubicle Nation" is the March book of the month. While directed towards those working a corporate job and wanting to become an entrepreneur, we remind readers about utilizing their gut feeling to make decisions in their business.

After all, you did use your gut feeling when you decided to open or purchase your business.