Retail Training Giveaway For Small Business Owners
Note: This giveaway has closed and not accepting any nominations.
I’ve been studying how to reward small business owners and retailers who follow me on Facebook, Twitter or my blog feeds.
Your feedback picked the retail sales training prize, a copy of my Sales RX: The Five Parts to a Successful Sale which I sell day in and day out for $297.
Sales RX: The Five Parts to a Successful Sale includes two DVDs, one of me actually training a crew and the other explaining why this retail sales training works along with a 22-page workbook to show you how to build trust and sell more merchandise in your retail store.
It’s the product thousands have used to boost their retail sales. 
The challenge was how to make this giveaway meaningful since so many retailers are struggling in light of showrooming, a hiccuping economy and everyone obsessed with “the deal.”
And I had to make it simple…
So here’s all you have to do for you to be eligible:
In the comments section of this blog post, submit the first name of a small business or retailer in your town, the town -but not the state, along with a couple sentences why they should be gifted a copy of Sales RX: The Five Parts to a Successful Sale.
Example, “Shelly in Great Neck has great products but doesn’t seem to be able to sell as much as I think she should. I know she would get a lot out of it as she is open to doing better with her business. So would I. Bob Phibbs”
That’s it really.
Then what?
On Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 6pm EST I closed all entries. I’m asking for comments from my Facebook fans on those submitted. Based on their comments and your entry, I’ll make a decision 24 hrs later on Friday September 6, 2012 at 6pm EST and contact the winning submitter for their physical address.
Fine print: Due to shipping costs, only open to residents of Canada and the USA and my decision is final.
If you just want to order a copy yourself, you can here.
Businesses run contests, giveaways, and sweepstakes for a variety of reasons. I’m choosing to give away two copies of Sales RX: The Five Parts to a Successful Sale simply as a reward to loyal readers. But many Facebook business pages offer prizes for “likes.” Be careful with that unless you use an outside application like Wildfire.
Contests on Facebook have special rules -especially what you cannot do including:
- Putting a post on your wall that says “everyone who responds to this post is entered to win (name of prize).”
- Having fans upload a photo to your wall to be entered in a contest.
- Annoucing the winner of your contest with a post on your wall.
- Having anyone who ‘Likes’ your page be automatically entered in a drawing (It can have this as a condition of entry, but it can’t be the only way that someone enters your contest).
That’s why this giveaway is being hosted on my blog. My prize isn’t for everyone so I shouldn’t get a bunch of entries from people just looking for free stuff but should be from people who already want to do better at their own business.
Good luck and remember you both win!
And yes, all commentors emails will be automatically added to my database and receive my monthly newsletters (if you don’t already.) You can opt-out or unsubscribe at any time.
For more ways to grow your retail business, signup for my monthly newsletter here.
A. Glenn & Pat in Nags Head has been in business for a number of years but is falling behind in connecting with today’s customer. They need to hire and train a sales person that can actually sell. He has been very involved in many community projects but needs a boost to his business. Traffic patterns have changed for both of our businesses and we are working to form an Arts District in our town to try to help attract people to our area. Both of us would greatly benefit from your course since we need to see our situation through fresh eyes. Thank you Bob, for this opportunity.
B. Chris in Locust Grove sells excellent products in his store and he researches and knows all about every product on the shelf. He does not get a lot of traffic into his store. I believe he would benefit from this as well and would do better business which should bring more traffic into his store as well. Thank you.
C. Bob, I’m nominating my own store, which I can’t seem to get off the ground no matter how hard we try or what we do. We’ve been faced with the daunting challenge of a 3rd generation take-over gone bad because the 2nd generation owner didn’t include his customer base in his decision to change this 85+ years old community icon, nor did he allow us to market to them. Basically, we’ve been a start-up with no endorsement from the owner everyone knew and are trying to win back the customers lost when his corporation decided to separate what was once an inter-connected, multi-department store. If we don’t get some help soon, my husband (the owner’s son, who’s worked for his dad’s store his entire working career)and I stand to lose everything. We were supposed to be taking this store over to “help the family” and “bail out the pharmacy (the main business). Instead, they turned against us – this is the worst case of sibling rivalry and stupidity I’ve ever heard of!
Thank you.
D. Rick in Centerville is in a Catch 22. His business has grown each year, but he has outgrown his location and does not have the space to update his equipment or hire another employee. He has many years of experience in his field, is highly respected and has a loyal following, but needs more exposure and enough growth to fund a move and new equipment.
E. Shawn at Teacher’s Delight in Lafayette, should get the program. I took over a thirty year old teacher supply store just in time for several local school systems to lay off teachers. I have been working with my local SBDC to figure out how to smarter. I have been on the Board of Director for our national trade organization, and I keep abreast of local initiatives. I worked for the store for 15 years before I took it over, but I need extra training to learn how to go from an employee to someone who can sell the store to superintendents and decision makers. I need to go from being able to sell $2.99 stickers to $2000 furniture.
Shawn Deignan
F. Heather in Albuquerque has many wonderful products, but may be confusing her customers with the vast selection and multiple offerings in her store. Her employees are great but some are having trouble creating that connection/trust with customers or they are struggling with suggesting add-on products. Her and her staff are dedicated to creating a more memorable sales experience for their customers and appreciate this opportunity.
G. Albert and his new bride Melissa in Placerville are the fourth generation of family to run the local hardware store. Their store is on the same Main Street as my family store which I am also the fourth generation of family ownership. The two stores have been the corner stone’s of our little community for more than 150 years. With the passing of the years and generations we need to continue to find innovative ways as well as relearn the bedrock sales techniques that have kept our families businesses operating for so many decades.
H. Carol in Ventura has run a fabulous gift store for the past 7 years. She carries a wide variety of merchandise, mixes new w/vintage and really knows how to catch your eye. Unfortunately like so many towns the economy is sluggish, and I know she is always reading and researching ways to improve sales, customer service and positive experiences for her customers. I know she would love the opportunity to benefit from this product!
I. Hal is having a really hard time out in Vancouver. HIs sales are dropping, there are many financial commitments looming over him and he is so overwhelmed, much of his stock is in boxes on his sales floor and doesn’t know where to turn.
He has had the same product mix for many years and needs to change his ways a bit to move more with the current market. He needs help and guidance from someone that really is experienced in retail and staff training. I know if he can get that help he can be successful again!
(I sent you a photo of his front counter and that we are trying to help him- I think back in July 2012)
J. Anna in Papillion owns a small unique toy store that also contains a toy museum. She was struggling in her old location and moved in hopes to get more traffic into her store. Unfortunately, it hasn’t helped much. Their stock is full of toys which engages a child with its imagination instead of sitting in front of a television. I’m hoping Anna can win this DVD set to learn how she can compete with the big stores and draw customers who see the value in her shop.
K. I would like to nominate hearts desire antique mall. Although thismay not sound like (your) typical venue – we also have a full service cafe / postal sub station / and consignment clothing area in the back. We are always looking for ways to give the customer a full shopping experience. We are located in Elkhart – and this is a very economically hard area. We hold only 4 large sales events a year – one being our holiday open house. We are finding it difficult to really set ourselves apart from our competitors that do not share our mentality of quality customer service / products / and display.
L. Trendy Repeats in Paducah is a consignment store that carries both new and gently used items. We have an absolute wonderful staff but there is always room for improvement when it comes to selling the merchandise! The store has had to move several times over the last 10 years due to renting but now is hopefully in a permanent home. We know that moving has hurt our business but we are trying our hardest to build it back up. We need sales to pick up! We realize the economy is sluggish but we still have to pay the bills and our employees! We need to know how to equip our staff with the skills they need to sell the merchandise. We have 9,000 sq ft of items that need to find a new home!
We need to get the word out that Trendy Repeats is in a great location and we have a wonderful selection of items that they need! We have wonderful name brand clothing and so much more. We have customers every single day come in and tell us how nice our store is and how great our prices are. Well…. why aren’t the sales showing that on a regular basis?? HELP! We want to train the staff with the tools to make our store boom!!
M. Jungs Garden Center in Sun Prairie. It’s a wonderful garden center but they have complete lack of customer service. You can walk in and be in the store for 20 minutes without anyone acknowledging you. I also witnessed one of their sales associates be very disrespectful to a customer. There were several people checking out at different registers, the customer had waited in lane to get help with a return. They had bought a bunch of plants the week before and one had died. The garden center offers a 100% guarantee on their plants for one year but the sales associate insisted it was the customers fault and got quite loud about it. I also think they could do better with the product selection and store feel and look. At this point I no longer shop there because I’ve had several bad experiences but if they made some changes I would for sure come back.
I’m voting for J. As the owner of a baby store, I know how hard it is to compete with big box stores. Hope she wins!
Thank you, Rochelle! We’ve got several stores in our area who are working hard to revitalize our small shopping center since the larger malls have come into our town. It’s a slow process but I know we can do it and show we are still competition to the large chains.
I saw this on facebook, but had a lot going on with a grand re-opening on Thursday evening. I put off entering this and now I’m sorry I didn’t just stop and take the time needed. My business is recovering from a recent fire in a neighboring building which caused our street to be blocked and closed for nearly two months. While, my business didn’t actually close, access was limited to those who knew I had an alley entrance. During the slow-down I took the opportunity to do some upgrading and remodeling, then held a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting when the street finally re-opened. My sales truly suffered during that closure and I’m looking for any help to improve our sales.
Oh, I vote for G – Albert & Melissa in Placerville. It just sounds a lot like my little community and I hope they can survive.
Congratulations to Albert and Melissa and the person who suggested them, Jeff Meader Placerville News Company who each get a copy of Sales RX: The Five Parts to a Successful Sale.