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Studies: Long hours, shift work can be detrimental to health
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied Healthcare"Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'. Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin' ..." Dolly Parton's popular song "9 to 5" from 1980 lamented the difficulties and stress associated with having a traditional workday. But, an eight-hour day of working 9-to-5 really is not that bad — especially for your health.
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Are you indispensable to your customers?
Adrian Davis Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAs you look at your customer base, are there any customers who really can't do without you? If not, you could be in big trouble. Our economy is fragile, and it is no longer sheltered from the unpredictable upheavals overseas. Anything that happens anywhere in the world can cause an economic downturn in North America, resulting in difficult financial challenges for your customers.
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Is bigger really better? Leasing the right size of commercial space
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailCommercial tenants often say they are not making any money because their rent is too high. Sometimes this is a true statement, but more often than not, the commercial tenant has simply leased too many square feet.
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Dealing reasonably with unreasonable people
Anne Rose Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementWe've all had them — those difficult customers who are unreasonably angry and refuse to be placated. What are they angry about? And how do you handle them? I'm sure you can construct your own examples of unreasonable customers, but the question is how to handle them so you're not bursting blood vessels in an escalating confrontation.
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3 consumer-centric trends your business needs to know
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingNow that the New Year's bell has stopped ringing, predicted trends for 2015 are stepping forward to steal the spotlight. While your business is penning this year's goals, be sure you're moving in the right direction. In order to increase sales, customer acquisition and traffic, your business needs to be communicating with shoppers in the way that works best for them.
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The relationship curve: A different approach to marketing and sales
Randall Craig MarketingHave you ever felt that you were being "sold" to? Perhaps an over-the-top marketing campaign, or perhaps a slightly-too-pushy salesperson? If so, then you're not alone. The question, however, is why. And why do organizations so often encourage such off-putting activities?
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Pet stores: The smell of success
Kevin Plazak Pet CareHave you ever had a small child walk into your store and say, "This store stinks," to his/her parent? If you haven't, congratulations! You are among the few. For most pet stores, the nature of the business is dog food sales, live animals and a lot of other interesting fragrances. This leads to noticeable smells — unfamiliar smells that are not comforting to your customers.
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Are independent pharmacies really that profitable?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalEvery year I look forward to reading Dr. Adam Fein's analysis of the profitability of independent pharmacies in the U.S. He is a respected industry analyst and writes well-researched posts on his blog, Drug Channels, which covers a wide range of drug distribution topics.
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Making the right hire: Everything you need to do
Jared Kligerman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEven 10 years ago, having an excellent product or service at a good price was enough for you to be competitive and successful. Today, with the increasing use of blogs, online review sites and social media, that is not enough.
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‘Buy local’ marketing can yield big results for small retailers
Fred Berns RetailThe holidays are an especially important time for independent business owners, given that 30 percent of retail sales occur in November and December. This is the time of year that local retailers introduce everything from holiday shopping events and special seasonal "impulse" items at the checkout counter to same-day delivery and expanded payment options.
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