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Female food and beverage entrepreneurs bring unique products to market
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageWomen-led food and beverage companies are changing the way we think about the industry. Women are go-getters, they are focused and they are generally more empathetic than their male counterparts. It is no surprise to see that the leading and emerging women-led businesses in this sector have a similar goal in mind — promoting wellness and health. From fighting disease to creating healthy post-workout snacks and more nutritious lunches for school children, they are shaping a healthier future for all.
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How to handle a hot-headed client at the spa
Elizabeth Donat RetailIf you own or manage a salon or spa, then you know that some customers can be hard to handle. Whether it's a scheduling mix-up, a miscommunication or a disappointing service, sometimes clients can be extremely unhappy and want you to know about it. If you find yourself in a situation with an unhappy customer in your spa, then remember my expert tips below.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Negotiate for free perks
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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As hospital profits fall, outpatient pharmacies should help
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalThe Wall Street Journal recently published a somber-sounding article sure to send shivers down the spines of hospital investors. It reported a margin decline to 8.1 percent last year, from 9.5 percent the year before. This is grim news for health systems which are already struggling to maintain their market share amid growing competition from clinics and outpatient services. Since this week is National Hospital Week, and I care deeply about the services and financial stability of the hospital systems in our country, I wanted to share some thoughts from the perspective of a pharmacist.
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What to know about halal personal care products and certifications
Cherie Buziak RetailEthical consumerism, along with the growing Muslim population, continues to push the boundaries of the appeal of halal certified beauty products. To better understand this untapped market, one would have to ask themselves, "What exactly does halal certified mean when it comes to personal care products?" Bringing clarity to this category was the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), who hosted an all-day event with qualified speakers on the topic.
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Can Blockchain bring back trust to the food industry?
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageFour food companies from Australia and New Zealand recently formed a consortium with online retail giant Alibaba. They have announced the launch of a new food-tracking system that uses Blockchain technology. Using the technology widely known from cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the companies will offer improved supply-chain traceability and transparency. Blockchain’s immutable central ledger will help them build a trusted platform for cross-border trade. In the process, they stand to rebuild and enhance consumer confidence.
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Urban design gone wrong: Lazy frontages
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsWith a generation of city planners brought up reading Jane Jacobs, another term you are likely to find peppering their documents today is "active frontages." However, walking in the shadow of blank walls in many of our cities today, it becomes clear that we are not always living up to Jacobs’ aspirations. Active frontages are designed to make a street more visually engaging. That does not necessarily mean the bohemian café-lined streets of Paris or Brooklyn but can be much more prosaic — it might be a handyman’s store, a gym or even a house frontage.
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4 ways to help your staff cope with nasty customers
Anne Rose RetailYou’ve hired cheerful and flexible staff to interact with your customers. But even the most cheerful team member can get rattled, defensive, or angry when confronted by a belligerent customer. And yes, belligerent customers do exist. They are the people having a lousy day (or a lousy life) and feel better about themselves by berating and bullying others, especially those who aren’t in a position to fight back. So, what to do?
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Spa client misconceptions that are hindering their results
Elizabeth Donat RetailHow we communicate and set expectations for our clients in the spa really matters. It's common in the spa and medical spa setting to find that clients may have several misconceptions about how to properly take care of their skin. If you are finding that your clients have any of these mistaken beliefs about their skin care regimen, then read my expert advice today.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Cap your operating costs
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.
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