What did you do today that matters? Did you spend time listening? Maybe offer up a complimentary comment to a stranger? Did you remind someone how much you appreciate them? Love them? Did you take a deep breath and feel your lungs inflate, then allow your shoulders to relax as you exhaled? What did you do? If you didn’t do anything yet, there’s still time. … Continue reading Your Story
This year I drove to The Running Event (TRE) in Austin, Texas. Amounted to just over 2500 total round trip miles from my home in central North Carolina. Part of the route followed the same stretch I walked earlier this year. And though that was a nostalgic highlight, it’s not what I came here to write about. TRE, per usual, was a giant reunion. I … Continue reading Trust and Authenticity
Every retailer wants to know how to hire good people. But not just good people, good people who can also do high-quality work. Too often we hire candidates only to find they have one of these traits or the other, rather than the ideal combination of both. Often they are great people with ho-hum selling skills, or they are somewhat impersonal but can sell the … Continue reading 10 Ways to Find the Right Staffer
Last week at The Running Event, the keynote speaker uttered words every single business owner needs to hear—He said, “Love and business…there’s plenty of room to cultivate both.” Love and business. Two terms that typically don’t get much playing time. Not together, anyhow. But this guy insisted that any business’s future relevance depends on both working as one. The speaker was Walter Robb, former CEO … Continue reading Love and Business
Specialty retail is a performance, and there’s a giant difference between a ho-hum experience and one that earns rave reviews from the harshest critic. Your people wear metaphorical “makeup” so folks can see them from the back row. They exaggerate their movements and animate gestures to make a solid impact on the entire audience. Hopefully they don’t overdo it. Maybe your show’s been running for … Continue reading Unforgettable Retail Performance
There was no question about it, we were going to Carousel, an Armenian restaurant and gathering hall on N. Brand in Glendale. Last time I passed through town we checked it out and were sold on the food and service – even though we figured they sat us outside the main room because our casual attire didn’t compare to everyone else’s formalwear. But this time … Continue reading Carousel Ride
When we know each others’ stories we have a better chance of making a genuine connection. I believe the future of brick and mortar depends on the quality (and authenticity) of your story. Doesn’t matter if you are an owner, a full-timer who wears multiple hats, or an every-other-Saturday part-timer, your story somehow resonates with the brand’s story. So it’s safe to assume that how … Continue reading Your Story is Your Future
Retail is Why I Keep Going Back to México City On a whim in early 2016, I booked a fight to México City. Why? I had Southwest voucher about to expire and the airline had recently opened up this international route. I could never have guessed that less than two years later, I’d have returned three more times. I certainly would never have predicted that … Continue reading This is Your Home
Not Just You…You Plus One One of my mentors always claims, “The store is a stage.” And you know what? I believe him. Because when the retail show starts, we can’t afford to be unprepared. If we are, we’ll get booed off. Possibly shut down before our run is though. So, if you are the sort of person who needs three espresso shots before you … Continue reading Amplified
Tom Griffen 