tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:26:32 +0000IntroductionTwitterMotivationalLeadershipTechnologyCustomer ExperienceCounselingMyspaceMarketingCorporateRecruitingHumorCoachingHuman ResourcesTrainingPollsFacebookFinance<b>The vision for this Blog is to be a resource and interactive forum for anyone curious about retail. I invite all comments, questions and stories. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy!!</b>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)Blogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-209648553110807313Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:29:00 +00002011-08-18T14:29:47.889-07:00Seems like we just finished doing our inventories, getting through our spring cleaning, and yep....the Holiday Season is again right around the corner!  I have written several posts that are designed to help in hiring, coaching, and evaluating employees.  These posts have been recently getting much more attention as we get through the Back-to-School season and prepare for the Holidays.  So, in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/gBmeNbBq70I/ready-for-your-holiday-hiring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S3ptKapm1InQ7D2KBRU4e-DoMsc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S3ptKapm1InQ7D2KBRU4e-DoMsc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S3ptKapm1InQ7D2KBRU4e-DoMsc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/S3ptKapm1InQ7D2KBRU4e-DoMsc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/gBmeNbBq70I" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/ready-for-your-holiday-hiring.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-4556263735334226648Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:50:00 +00002011-08-04T20:50:25.860-07:00In collaboration with Amazon.com, RetailBizblog has its' own store!!! At the top of the page I have added a 'shop' tab.  I have put together a very large collection of books, electronics, office supplies, and even apparel- all with the retail professional in mind.  As the Shop RetailBizBlog Store is brand new, I would love to hear any feedback you may have, or even products you would like to seehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/3XXINfOh6U8/retailbizblog-has-new-feature.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ssBq_WavhX4ksCz6n6NxKnmjzko/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ssBq_WavhX4ksCz6n6NxKnmjzko/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ssBq_WavhX4ksCz6n6NxKnmjzko/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ssBq_WavhX4ksCz6n6NxKnmjzko/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/3XXINfOh6U8" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/retailbizblog-has-new-feature.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-2280796982557620350Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:31:00 +00002011-08-03T12:31:48.085-07:00Think about it.  Tom and his group of pioneers did a lot more than creating a giant social website.  The ripple effect of Myspace is more like a Tsunami effect! Myspace forever changed the way internet marketing is viewed.  Millions of users logged in several times a day discussing things they like and don't like, offering marketers plenty of affordable and accurate impressions to their target http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/r7NMBm2FaWg/did-myspace-save-internet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uF4h7B7dKXJWC8jvxe5mzKx2RxE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uF4h7B7dKXJWC8jvxe5mzKx2RxE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uF4h7B7dKXJWC8jvxe5mzKx2RxE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uF4h7B7dKXJWC8jvxe5mzKx2RxE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/r7NMBm2FaWg" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/did-myspace-save-internet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-8339652126621016298Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:51:00 +00002011-08-03T10:51:23.679-07:00   Earlier in this blog I wrote an article about the power of the internet as a resource for marketing.  A successful marketing campaign can be measured by the amount of "impressions" that are made to potential consumers.  In the past it was snail mail that would deliver the massively unpopular "junk mail" that would faster find its' way to the trash than make a consumer impression.  Not to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/61IuKCh18fA/why-dotcoms-are-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/61-F08R3VF7iE3YeB_zv3gt_7oI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/61-F08R3VF7iE3YeB_zv3gt_7oI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/61-F08R3VF7iE3YeB_zv3gt_7oI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/61-F08R3VF7iE3YeB_zv3gt_7oI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/61IuKCh18fA" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-dotcoms-are-back.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1799590126212665986Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:46:00 +00002011-07-28T17:46:38.636-07:00In the retail world, turnover seems to be rising at an astounding rate as employees have much more to consider than just having a job.  With the state of the economy, things that were "perks" are now deal breakers when it comes to sticking it out with a company.  Employees now must take almost everything into consideration when deciding to keep their job or to make a change.  Daily commutes, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/ArEkzM-AF1s/is-turnover-changing-how-you-sell-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UH6L4vyWYsITNmbNjpueVus9Zw0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UH6L4vyWYsITNmbNjpueVus9Zw0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UH6L4vyWYsITNmbNjpueVus9Zw0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UH6L4vyWYsITNmbNjpueVus9Zw0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/ArEkzM-AF1s" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-turnover-changing-how-you-sell-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1872020002393835396Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:30:00 +00002011-07-28T17:42:16.053-07:00The reputation a company has is built upon consistent delivery during the customer experience.  That statement holds true for both positive and negative experiences.  What is your reputation? Are you maintaining a good one or repairing a bad one?  Online retail is almost exclusively built on trust and reputation.  Seller reviews and post-sale customer service experiences are the key components http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/ecrUHM14rcU/know-your-customer-build-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MBuhrom_meBrrwpgxfm3NZqknI4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MBuhrom_meBrrwpgxfm3NZqknI4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MBuhrom_meBrrwpgxfm3NZqknI4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MBuhrom_meBrrwpgxfm3NZqknI4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/ecrUHM14rcU" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/know-your-customer-build-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-64857948023082760Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:36:00 +00002010-08-12T17:00:12.130-07:00I recently participated in an online discussion discussing several different factors that when done right are a fail safe method to retail success. It really got me thinking about all of the things that I have learned throughout the years, and if I could narrow it down to just a few things that when executed flawlessly will always produce success.The secret is in that thought. "Executed http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/EArYzx880jU/making-it-simplekinda.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)1<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQ9DYrkvzEo4mW8WKaByZsoNoBU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQ9DYrkvzEo4mW8WKaByZsoNoBU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQ9DYrkvzEo4mW8WKaByZsoNoBU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQ9DYrkvzEo4mW8WKaByZsoNoBU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/EArYzx880jU" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-it-simplekinda.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-6431886950044112459Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:20:00 +00002010-07-18T15:52:12.560-07:00LeadershipTrainingCounselingCoachingSpeaking the language of the people around you can be a much more difficult task then you could imagine. Not everyone has the charisma to captivate an audience of 1-1000 with ease. That is why listening is one of the most important things you can do as a leader. All too often, leaders of today are so confident in the abilities that got them where they are that they expect those around them tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/HVi-X22S3-Q/speaking-language-of-people-around-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oSnUDI-rue0L5QiZtZJJU91AEEs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oSnUDI-rue0L5QiZtZJJU91AEEs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oSnUDI-rue0L5QiZtZJJU91AEEs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oSnUDI-rue0L5QiZtZJJU91AEEs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/HVi-X22S3-Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/speaking-language-of-people-around-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-2970991936976479566Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:11:00 +00002010-07-18T15:16:50.865-07:00Hello readers, and sorry for my LOONNGGG absence away from my writing. Through reading my last older posts, it should be obvious that I was in the process of starting with a new company. I have been there now for coming up on one year, and have focused my energies to the success of that position. I am still there, and have had many great experiences that I think would be great to share with http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/XyqTCl89P2Q/retailbizblog-is-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dS18diWjW_nSej0KYtNgtFHQeJY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dS18diWjW_nSej0KYtNgtFHQeJY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dS18diWjW_nSej0KYtNgtFHQeJY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dS18diWjW_nSej0KYtNgtFHQeJY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/XyqTCl89P2Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/retailbizblog-is-back.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-7189928989008329963Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:28:00 +00002009-11-04T15:32:36.063-08:00Recession is slowing? We are on the edge of recovery? I have read several very encouraging articles over the past few days. Unemployment claims did not go up. Housing prices increased for the first time in years, and housing sales have seen their fourth straight month of increases. Car sales went up...duh! But the one I like to look at is the consumer confidence index. When it is all said http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/0zQ0GZ6eJGY/what-recession.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5fvXBq0qMDL4TF4hNOh54qHvc88/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5fvXBq0qMDL4TF4hNOh54qHvc88/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5fvXBq0qMDL4TF4hNOh54qHvc88/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5fvXBq0qMDL4TF4hNOh54qHvc88/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/0zQ0GZ6eJGY" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-recession.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1018145870989425731Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:25:00 +00002009-08-20T14:47:05.406-07:00LeadershipTrainingHuman ResourcesCoachingMotivationalSo far, I have talked much about what kind of employee and leader companies should be looking for. There is another side of that coin. Employees, must also try to seek out employers that stand for and practice the things that are most important to them.In 2002, my sister graduated from Tuck's MBA program. Peter Dolan (then CEO of Bristol-Meyers Squibb) gave the investiture address. Most of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/07P1iHpcihw/choosing-employer-do-you-have-core.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Q1XQZr18rDYdK6XNn2aduGci22k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Q1XQZr18rDYdK6XNn2aduGci22k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Q1XQZr18rDYdK6XNn2aduGci22k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Q1XQZr18rDYdK6XNn2aduGci22k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/07P1iHpcihw" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/choosing-employer-do-you-have-core.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-5265399578205632413Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:09:00 +00002009-08-19T14:22:23.207-07:00RecruitingLeadershipTrainingHuman ResourcesCoachingMotivationalI had a phone interview yesterday. Since I have started writing this blog, I have become very aware of the actions and qualities of those around me in the retail world. After I had this interview, I collected my thoughts, and it occurred to me "WOW!! That girl really knows what she is doing!!"A phone interview is a very unique thing. You don't have all the benefits of meeting someone http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/ZDyKckQnZgw/phone-interview-well-done.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/L8r0rT8mh19CyE6y3b809q_g6Po/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/L8r0rT8mh19CyE6y3b809q_g6Po/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/L8r0rT8mh19CyE6y3b809q_g6Po/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/L8r0rT8mh19CyE6y3b809q_g6Po/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/ZDyKckQnZgw" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/phone-interview-well-done.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-4896609958224058135Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:45:00 +00002009-08-25T19:13:37.121-07:00LeadershipTrainingMotivationalI have written much about leadership, and what some of the things are that need to happen for retailers to push through this sluggish economy. I have received and email asking me to provide my definition of a good leader or leadership. I thought it was relevant enough to share in this forum.My personal definition of a strong Leader is: An individual that by a combination of their words and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/9NCeLnSSNuQ/my-definition-of-leadership.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)1<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TBU5URG8y3l3ykb4yejTg_IHC2c/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TBU5URG8y3l3ykb4yejTg_IHC2c/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TBU5URG8y3l3ykb4yejTg_IHC2c/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TBU5URG8y3l3ykb4yejTg_IHC2c/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/9NCeLnSSNuQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-definition-of-leadership.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-3152535838669844271Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:25:00 +00002009-08-19T14:21:37.425-07:00Customer ExperienceTechnologyPollsI have had a poll on my page for a few days now asking people which level of service they prefer when calling a company. I have also hosted several discussions about the topic. The result was somewhat surprising. The stats (at time of this article) were a lot closer than I expected between waiting to speak with a live person, and using an automated system that has the option to speak with a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/fU7knX8gASI/that-personal-touch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qAX6_s0rloRMPvvlXJAT4VOeIrg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qAX6_s0rloRMPvvlXJAT4VOeIrg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qAX6_s0rloRMPvvlXJAT4VOeIrg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/qAX6_s0rloRMPvvlXJAT4VOeIrg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/fU7knX8gASI" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/that-personal-touch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-2967746923873667177Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:58:00 +00002009-08-08T10:57:55.981-07:00TrainingHuman ResourcesCounselingCoachingAs with coaching, it is just as important to understand the person you are talking to. The result will be much more significant if the discussion is tailored to the individual. Even more important though is understanding your employee's ability to receive criticism. Some people welcome criticism openly, as they understand it is only designed to improve performance. Unfortunately, most people http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/Ie_6vgX-ywY/effective-counseling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aoEw8QboKU8l3FUF5ihJ2JKI-MI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aoEw8QboKU8l3FUF5ihJ2JKI-MI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aoEw8QboKU8l3FUF5ihJ2JKI-MI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aoEw8QboKU8l3FUF5ihJ2JKI-MI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/Ie_6vgX-ywY" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/effective-counseling.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-5481368696328914324Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:32:00 +00002009-08-07T15:54:23.115-07:00TrainingHuman ResourcesCounselingCoachingCoaching and Counseling are the two strongest tools a manager has to increase the productivity of their staff. Typically coaching and counseling are discussed together as they pretty much go hand-in-hand. Here I will focus on the Coaching aspect as "part 1" of this two-part article.First, I would like to identify the difference between the two. Coaching is a form of communication used to teachhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/Obfp-OmJa4Y/effective-coaching.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GIGl4ypH684vC-10YcsQPPQ8Xoc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GIGl4ypH684vC-10YcsQPPQ8Xoc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GIGl4ypH684vC-10YcsQPPQ8Xoc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/GIGl4ypH684vC-10YcsQPPQ8Xoc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/Obfp-OmJa4Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/effective-coaching.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-2843277264959663810Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:43:00 +00002009-08-07T15:56:12.185-07:00Customer ExperienceLeadershipThe most important people in any company that use retail outlets to sell their products are the Store Managers. Every company has a basic job description of what a successful store manager should be capable of. The job description that no company can create is a list of the intangible traits that a store manager should bring to a company. A truly successful store manager recognizes and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/sYUZkUzgE_c/follow-leader.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)2<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvRKYz7MBnf9yMRyimYLaNpN-b8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvRKYz7MBnf9yMRyimYLaNpN-b8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvRKYz7MBnf9yMRyimYLaNpN-b8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RvRKYz7MBnf9yMRyimYLaNpN-b8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/sYUZkUzgE_c" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/follow-leader.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-3753461663296226311Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:34:00 +00002009-08-07T15:57:04.313-07:00MyspaceFacebookMarketingTwitterPollsLast Wednesday, I posted that I was attempting to test the "Social Networking" power of two of the most popular networking websites; Facebook and Myspace. I ran several links to this bulletin on both sites. I also posted several links on other popular sites, LinkedIn and Twitter, asking people to vote on which site would provide the best source of traffic that would benefit a retailer looking http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/TOmVz8_9zLc/myspace-vs-facebook-results.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WfalYnVPp1NpGNakBsLVicrBc7w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WfalYnVPp1NpGNakBsLVicrBc7w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WfalYnVPp1NpGNakBsLVicrBc7w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WfalYnVPp1NpGNakBsLVicrBc7w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/TOmVz8_9zLc" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/myspace-vs-facebook-results.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-6664399461977199939Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:43:00 +00002009-08-07T15:59:56.332-07:00Customer ExperienceLeadershipMarketingCorporateI was forwarded an article about several quotes from Costco Founder and CEO, James Sinegal.Quotations From James Sinegal He mentions several things that I think most retailers should listen to. I particularly like two of the quotes:1. "I think the biggest single thing that causes difficulty in the business world is the short-term view. We become obsessed with it. But it forces bad http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/Iu8UbCjzTEA/costco-founderceo-provides-insight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hdi2SNjMCeW80H2QwmOdTQ543kQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hdi2SNjMCeW80H2QwmOdTQ543kQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hdi2SNjMCeW80H2QwmOdTQ543kQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hdi2SNjMCeW80H2QwmOdTQ543kQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/Iu8UbCjzTEA" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/costco-founderceo-provides-insight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1620825697221491287Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:08:00 +00002009-08-07T15:59:16.169-07:00MyspaceFacebookMarketingTwitterPollsAOL started it. With very popular chat rooms and a skeletal, but functional, social network. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Friendster, LinkedIN and several others have since emerged. All offering something unique to make their platform the biggest and most successful. As I learn more about blog writing/internet marketing (yes, they go hand-in-hand), it is clear that these sites drive the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/pHBmjq-6LvI/power-of-social-networks-myspace-vs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)3<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SsLTuTgyJZjQ0JiIgLYepljDQQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SsLTuTgyJZjQ0JiIgLYepljDQQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SsLTuTgyJZjQ0JiIgLYepljDQQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8SsLTuTgyJZjQ0JiIgLYepljDQQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/pHBmjq-6LvI" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/power-of-social-networks-myspace-vs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-5191742069559914326Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:27:00 +00002009-08-07T16:00:28.462-07:00Customer ExperienceMarketingCorporateAs with Whole Foods, Starbucks is another major company that has taken a look at themselves and are offering something new. A Starbucks that is not a "Starbucks"!! NPR reported Saturday, Starbucks Goes Into Stealth Mode. Starbucks, a company that has done pretty much everything it can do, has found a way to continue to grow in their same niche. They looked outside themselves, the ones who http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/sVmL5ksBNW8/starbucks-maybe-image-isnt-everything.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-aUCMWECtMloAmwC97yPmWfEzw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-aUCMWECtMloAmwC97yPmWfEzw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-aUCMWECtMloAmwC97yPmWfEzw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/i-aUCMWECtMloAmwC97yPmWfEzw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/sVmL5ksBNW8" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/starbucks-maybe-image-isnt-everything.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1835820762623141529Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:29:00 +00002009-08-07T16:01:06.713-07:00Customer ExperienceMarketingCoachingCorporateIn a time when customers are demanding value and are really trying to stretch ever dollar to it's limit, some companies are doing their part to help. Whole Foods Markets are giving "value tours" to their customers to show them that even at a store with a pricey reputation, value is within reach. You can read more about their approach in Hawaii's Star Bulletin's: Getting the Whole Picture.I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/SpD5JdFI4pc/whole-foods-educating-their-customers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1ILU_cPltyM9xMIMZ1FBTJbzjSA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1ILU_cPltyM9xMIMZ1FBTJbzjSA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1ILU_cPltyM9xMIMZ1FBTJbzjSA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1ILU_cPltyM9xMIMZ1FBTJbzjSA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/SpD5JdFI4pc" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/whole-foods-educating-their-customers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-5822327404945539373Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:04:00 +00002009-08-07T16:02:01.648-07:00Customer ExperienceLeadershipTrainingMarketingAs I was walking the mall this past weekend I noticed a few strange trends. There were a lot of people in the mall, but there were lots of stores without a single customer. I chatted up some of the employees, and consistently received this generic response, "Yeah, it has been kinda slow lately". Then I went into some of the more "crowded" stores, and heard things like,"We are beating last yearhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/AnZ-IHT0D0Q/common-misses-that-can-change-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zi1HGl63sCXPMsGoaZmog3vS-ig/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zi1HGl63sCXPMsGoaZmog3vS-ig/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zi1HGl63sCXPMsGoaZmog3vS-ig/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zi1HGl63sCXPMsGoaZmog3vS-ig/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/AnZ-IHT0D0Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/common-misses-that-can-change-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-1308590470768653537Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:07:00 +00002009-08-07T16:05:39.077-07:00LeadershipMarketingCorporateEmployee confidence has been a major issue that I have tried to address. I read an article today detailing plans of AOL's new CEO Tim Armstrong. "Can Tim Armstrong Think Different at AOL" His description of the "core" problem at AOL, was the employees have a "crisis of confidence". I LOVE that expression!! That fits almost everything I have been saying about the state of many employees!AOL, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/-an0x9IHllc/aols-crisis-of-confidence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)0<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OOJHs4a78xwEQXQMCdFf7zXsoS4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OOJHs4a78xwEQXQMCdFf7zXsoS4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OOJHs4a78xwEQXQMCdFf7zXsoS4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OOJHs4a78xwEQXQMCdFf7zXsoS4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/-an0x9IHllc" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/aols-crisis-of-confidence.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373158104015038878.post-4177483767988442322Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:06:00 +00002009-08-07T16:06:22.409-07:00Customer ExperienceLeadershipThis is a question I keep hearing as I work on this blog. It seems that no matter where you go, that companies pride themselves on putting the customer first, but that doesn't really seem to be the truth. I have found nightmare stories from telephone customer service operators, to in store employees. But I have also read some amazing stories of how an employee went well beyond their job http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/retailbizblog/~3/oQkMMROchqU/is-customer-service-dead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Christopher Mead)1<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yxYoKnvB8ggv3Dxzf3zcOZrj5Bg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yxYoKnvB8ggv3Dxzf3zcOZrj5Bg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yxYoKnvB8ggv3Dxzf3zcOZrj5Bg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yxYoKnvB8ggv3Dxzf3zcOZrj5Bg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/retailbizblog/~4/oQkMMROchqU" height="1" width="1"/>http://retailbizblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-customer-service-dead.html