Online customer reviews mean your small business reputation is now exposed in a variety of places.
While thinking about writing this post about how to monitor your online reputation, I recalled an afternoon when I was in the quad at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and Marnie James breathlessly asked me, “Do you know what Ben is saying about you?”
I had to know. Continue reading Online Reputation: How to Monitor and Respond to Customer Reviews »
One of my favorite songs growing up was Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s Where Is the Love? The singer was waiting for someone to leave their lover, which never happened. In essence, “after you got all my affection, where’s something in return?”
I thought about that song as I finished another transaction in a store that made me feel worse after Continue reading Retail Consultant Tip: Create the Joy of Shopping »
Five minute interview of Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor on MSNBC by Rod Kurtz, Senior Editor of Inc. magazine on Phibbs four points retailers can use right now to alter holiday sales and get ready for the New Year.
They include website tips, being remarkable, building your list and tracking your numbers.
Succeeding in Holiday Sales
I had come to Charlotte to help a business owner considering expansion. We drove around and she showed me a location down a side street, on the back side of a grocery store with limited visibility. She told me she expected to be doing $3000-4000 per day. “Why is that?” I asked. She replied, “Because the competitor across the way has a line out the door day and night. That’s startup business Sin#1 - Unrealistic expectations. 
You’re not Continue reading 5 Sins of a Startup Retail or Franchise Business »
How can you succeed in your holiday sales? You’ve got to be thinking ahead.
It isn’t about having enough gift wrap – though that is important.
It isn’t about making sure everyone knows where and how to change the register paper – though that too is important.
No, you need to think about who will come back for you in 2011.
So number one is to build a website so new customers can find you next year. Don’t do this yourself, hire someone – I’ve given you what’s needed in my book, The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business (Wiley.)
#2 is to be remarkable. That’s not adequate, that’s not OK, that means your service is so great I would crawl over glass naked to shop with you.
#3 is to build your list. That could be a physical mailing list – though that is expensive. That could be an email list or even a Facebook Fan page.
#4 is to track your numbers this holiday so you know who is doing the job. That goes for your employees, your brands and individual products.
Pay attention to these four tips now and you’ll be positioned to grow your business both this holiday season and next year.
Watch the entire three minute interview of Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor with Rod Kurtz, Senior Editor of Inc. magazine expand on these four points retailers can use right now.
Retail Holiday Sales Success
Bob Phibbs is the Retail Doctor, consultant, speaker and author to help any size brand or company grow their sales using his proven methods. Find out more at www.retaildoc.com
