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Canada Day and Independence Day on the horizon; July is Independent Retailer Month Prepare to celebrate everything!
 
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June 2017
Volume 18 Issue 7

News of the day - Celebrating the Independent

With the majority of our readers in North America, Canada has their big celebration on the first of July while the U.S. has theirs on the fourth of July. And then there is the big celebration for all of us; Independent Retailer Month.

We first talked about the event in 2003 when we announced that we had created and placed the event in Chase's Calendar of Events, which at that time was the place where all of the days of significance and celebration were posted. It was where the media learned of each of the events to share with their viewers, listeners and readers.



Years later, the event has grown as shown by this photo from Times Square in New York. The bottom of the photo shows the logo on the video screen as one of the sponsors from that year was helping to promote Independent Retailer Month.

The website is indieretailermonth.com and has resources for your business as well as the opportunity to list your business as a participant.

Across North America the desire to do business with an independent continues to grow; mass merchants continue to have problems with many closing locations if not shutting down completely.

As an example, take a look at the beer industry. Note the growing trend to enjoy a beer that is produced locally as compared to having one from a regional, national or worldwide producer. Our independent businesses are the same; we offer products and services that are appropriate to the local area because we are local owners - much more in tune with those living and visiting in our area.

Here is your 30 day advance notice. For July, celebrate independent and carry on!

 

Article of the Month - Visual Merchandising

Ever hear a customer in a store comment they had bought more than they intended? There were likely two parts of the business that came into play. The first we would consider would be the sales skills of the people working in the store.

The second would be the way the store was arranged. And that is what we are looking at in this article. The story is written from the perspective of a business that has service as a primary part of the business; think of a carwash, auto repair center, or storage facility. However, once you get past that, the rest of their business is a store with merchandise just like many of you.

We offer 14 ideas of merchandise placement that can help get the customer to see more of what you offer. And the more they see, the more likely they buy.


Book of the Month - "Win" by Frank Luntz

Books like this month's suggestion have always been my favorite type to read. This is because the book provides input from multiple individuals as well as it makes the book easier to read in pieces. (Few of us have the time to read a book in one setting)

The subtitle of the book is "The key principles to take your business from ordinary to extraordinary" and includes the thoughts by these individuals: Mike Bloomberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rupert Murdoch, Steve Wynn, Larry Bird, Jimmy Connors and the CEOs of MGM Resorts, J. Crew, and Gibson Guitar.

In reading the book, you will find their keys to success and take tidbits from each to add to your business. It is a great book to start your summer reading.

Internet Tool for Your Business - Free posters

Most every presentation I give ends with a slide that provides a thought of inspiration that is relevant to the message I gave. Frequently I see people grabbing their phones and taking pictures of that slide.

We decided to make it easier for everyone by having the posters on the Profits Plus website. The link below takes you to the index page for each of the 41 messages. When you click on any of the messages, the message will format itself to fit on a letter size piece of paper. All you have to do is hit the print button and you have something ready to hang on the wall of your business.
Staff Incentive for Your Business - Let's eat!

With summer we think of being outside. Along with that comes cooking outdoors; the meal frequently being hamburgers and/or hot dogs. With small tabletop grills such as this one, it should be an easy task to fire up the grill and feed your staff lunch. Sure, you won't be able to all sit down at once and eat; you have a business to run.

Just think of adding some lemonade, potato salad, and something for the sweet tooth.

This provides a feeling of being a family; an opportunity to casual conversation. And you are saving your employees the cost of eating out or a change from fixing a sandwich at home and bringing it to work

We want to recognize A Carrot A Day by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, whose book provides the basis for each month's incentive idea.

Profits Plus |tomshay@profitsplus.org | (727) 823-7205 | www.profitsplus.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

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©1998-2025 Profits Plus Solutions, Inc.
Tom Shay
PO Box 128
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(727)823-7205

FEBRUARY 2025
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Small Business

AdvisorieS

Hopefully there are few small businesses that are operating with handwritten documents. Whether you have a point of sale (POS) system; Curstomer relationship management (CRM) system; or anything digital that helps you better operate your business, there remains a question.

 

Are you using everything that you bought? That is the focus of the February Small Business Advisory.

Small Business

NewS

Top Story

As small business ownerss we are sure to disagree on many aspects of business management and ownership. However there are two items that I will always insist on.

 

The first item for you as manager and owner of a business, you must inderstand financial information. You cannot leave it to an accountant.

 

The second item is you have to invest in educating your staff regarding their responsibilities within your business.

Article of the Month

Most every small business has inventory. It may be inventory used as a part of your services. It may be inventory for items used in your business. The article of the month shares ideas of how you should control the inventory. This is important because you do not want to run out of the necessary inventory, and you do not want too much of your money sitting in more inventory than you need.


Book of the Month

You cannot beat your competition unless you know what they are doing. The February book of the month is, The Everything Store, written by Brad Stone and Jeff Bezos.

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

Advisories

Hopefully there are few small businesses that are operating with handwritten documents. Whether you have a point of sale (POS) system; Curstomer relationship management (CRM) system; or anything digital that helps you better operate your business, there remains a question.

 

Are you using everything that you bought? That is the focus of the February Small Business Advisory.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

As small business ownerss we are sure to disagree on many aspects of business management and ownership. However there are two items that I will always insist on.

 

The first item for you as manager and owner of a business, you must inderstand financial information. You cannot leave it to an accountant. The second item is you have to invest in educating your staff regarding their responsibilities within your business.


Article of the Month

Most every small business has inventory. It may be inventory used as a part of your services. It may be inventory for items used in your business. The article of the month shares ideas of how you should control the inventory. This is important because you do not want to run out of the necessary inventory, and you do not want too much of your money sitting in more inventory than you need.


Book of the Month

You cannot beat your competition unless you know what they are doing. The February book of the month is, The Everything Store, written by Brad Stone and Jeff Bezos.