CombinedNSP Site Admin
Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 1406 Location: Cleveland, OH
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Posted: Dec Fri 15, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject: Golden Rules of Retail Realizing Your Retailing Vision |
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Golden Rules of Retail Realizing Your Retailing Vision
Running a retail business isn't easy. It helps to know retailing basics, plus a few secrets from the experts. Dwayne Tiller, Regional Manager from Fort Worth, Texas, qualifies as an expert. He runs his own store as well as nsptools.com, and shares a few tips.
* Develop a mission statement. Know what you want to accomplish. Explain the mission to your staff. They will help you follow this vision. If you don't know where you're going, how do you expect them to know? * Learn to sell. You can have the best heart in the world and be very knowledgeable, but if you don't know how to sell, then you'll turn people away. Both you and your staff should take courses on selling. One simple selling tip is to ask questions that elicit information, like "What can we do for you today?" rather than a yes/no question like "Can I help you?" Believe it or not, learning to sell is more important than building a downline. Once you know how to sell, then selling the opportunity of the business will come naturally. * Work "on" your business instead of "in" your business. As an owner, don't do things that the staff should be doing. Learn to focus on fulfilling your mission statement instead of cleaning the restrooms or sweeping the floors. * Service the customer to the max. Be willing to do whatever it takes to help your customers. I have an umbrella that I use to walk customers into the store on rainy days. If a customer needs a product that day and we don't have it, we call our competitors to see if they have it. When the marginal net worth of a customer is $12,000 in 10 years, then the $20 sale you gave to the competition doesn't matter. What matters is outstanding service. That will bring them back to you! * Image marketing. Do you have a sloppy store with high quality products in it? Are you drinking diet sodas or eating fast food at the counter where customers can see them? Do you have a chair with a television at the front counter? Is your dress attire that of cutoff shorts and a worn out shirt? Be a professional at all times! * Speak positively, not negatively. Be inspirational with ideas and goal setting. Go after problems with positive solutions. Don't get caught up in negative speaking or rumors. Never pass your problems on to your downline. * Set standards. Write a store manual that outlines the store policy. Refer to it regularly during your store meetings. * Build a downline. Look for little opportunities to share the NSP business opportunity. Someone might say, "I can't stand my job," or, "this store is nice." How you handle these opportunities can make a difference.
Retail can be fun and very rewarding. Learn to market yourself well, and both your customers and staff will respond in positive ways.
From NSP's Manager Extra
http://www.naturessunshine.com/mag/me/dec2003/announcements1.asp |
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