It's on. Or let me be more precise and say that the
holiday season is "officially" on this week.
Are you?
I believe that some specialty retailers are going to have an extraordinary holiday this year. Some will have a good holiday; others fall short. Some will fall so far short they may not survive their poor performance.
I'm sure those retailers who fall short will blame the economy, discounters, and the Internet.
Let's turn that excuse around. Do you think the specialty retailers who have a good holiday season are going to say they were successful because of the economy? Of course not. Will they say they beat the discounters and the Internet? I doubt it.
Retailers who do well this holiday will say they made it happen. "They" meaning the owner/manager and his/her entire staff made it happen.
Sure, some retailers might tell you they were blessed or lucky to do well in the 2009 holiday, but make no mistake - when we look back in January 2010 at the just-concluded holiday season it will be clear that they made it happen.
They were the difference. Or should I say they will be the difference?
As we stand at the starting line of the "official" start to the holiday, will you be a difference maker?
It doesn't matter what your position is since it will take each and every staff member to create a successful holiday. It's going to take a strong manager/owner, assistant, permanent employees, and seasonal staff. Everyone.
How? That part is easy. Maximize EVERY single customer opportunity. Deliver an extraordinary experience that results in an extraordinary sale. Focus and drive will result in the performance necessary to be successful this holiday.
A lot of retailers disagree with my premise that people in the store can and will make the difference between a good and bad holiday. Then again, these are the same people who believe their holiday is almost predetermined by the economy, the discounters and the Internet.
So let me ask again, will you be a difference maker this year? The only one who will establish that is you.
Doug
To our US readers: Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and your entire staff.
Are you?
I believe that some specialty retailers are going to have an extraordinary holiday this year. Some will have a good holiday; others fall short. Some will fall so far short they may not survive their poor performance.
I'm sure those retailers who fall short will blame the economy, discounters, and the Internet.
Let's turn that excuse around. Do you think the specialty retailers who have a good holiday season are going to say they were successful because of the economy? Of course not. Will they say they beat the discounters and the Internet? I doubt it.
Retailers who do well this holiday will say they made it happen. "They" meaning the owner/manager and his/her entire staff made it happen.
Sure, some retailers might tell you they were blessed or lucky to do well in the 2009 holiday, but make no mistake - when we look back in January 2010 at the just-concluded holiday season it will be clear that they made it happen.
They were the difference. Or should I say they will be the difference?
As we stand at the starting line of the "official" start to the holiday, will you be a difference maker?
It doesn't matter what your position is since it will take each and every staff member to create a successful holiday. It's going to take a strong manager/owner, assistant, permanent employees, and seasonal staff. Everyone.
How? That part is easy. Maximize EVERY single customer opportunity. Deliver an extraordinary experience that results in an extraordinary sale. Focus and drive will result in the performance necessary to be successful this holiday.
A lot of retailers disagree with my premise that people in the store can and will make the difference between a good and bad holiday. Then again, these are the same people who believe their holiday is almost predetermined by the economy, the discounters and the Internet.
So let me ask again, will you be a difference maker this year? The only one who will establish that is you.
Doug
To our US readers: Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and your entire staff.
On Black Friday, (what some would say is the beginning of the holiday retail season) We made a HUGE difference in my store... we maximized on the traffic and literally DOUBLED our margin goal for the day! Every associate had an individual goal - and we made it fun for us and the customers! Whats amazing is 1)Sales Rocked, 2)Employees had fun and succeeded, and 3)Customers loved their experience in our store... I can't even explain the good customer compliments. Doug you're right on here... PEOPLE make the difference!
Posted by: Michael | November 27, 2009 at 11:20 PM