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Negotiating commercial leases: Meet the landlord
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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Lucrative innovation: How tamper-proof design is defining packaging
Delany Martinez ManufacturingWhen even a single damaged or compromised package could put an entire brand's perception at risk, keeping packages safe and sealed has become an important facet of manufacturing in certain sectors. While, say, a flashlight can't carry much liability if its packaging is tampered with, a food or drink item could carry harmful mold or bacteria, and an exposed pharmaceutical item could prove to be life-threatening. That important distinction has led to a number of impressive tamper-evident breakthroughs recently in the packaging sphere.
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Adulting: Millennials find the money struggle is more than real
Julie Bernhard RetailFailure to launch or an economic reality? According to a recent U.S. Census report, millennials are finding their transition into adulthood is not as seamless as their predecessors. The report indicates that not only are more millennials living with parents than spouses, but their incomes are significantly less as well.
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Starbucks unveils new lunch menu to compete with Chipotle, Panera
Katherine Radin Food & BeverageSince their first store opened in 1971, Starbucks has come a long way from being known as "just a coffee shop." As the company has grown at a monumental pace, they have moved beyond their traditional coffee- and tea-based menu offerings in an attempt to stay competitive with other fast food restaurants.
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The biggest insights from tech’s defining report
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingWhile everyone makes predictions about what this year's trends will be in January, the real test is seeing what actually gains traction. Another tell-tale sign is if the trend is highlighted in influential industry reports.
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J.C. Penney’s future hinges on B2B pivot
Shawn Smajstrla RetailDon't nail J.C. Penney's coffin just yet. The venerable retailer is often mentioned in the same conversation as other retailers thought to be nearing their final breaths, including Sears and Macy's. And it's easy to understand the sentiment.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Location, location, location
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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Wal-Mart and Jet.com bring new twist in grocery wars
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageWal-Mart created quite a buzz last year when it announced the purchase of Jet.com for $3.3 billion. The move aimed to boosts the brand's grocery footprint by testing the grocery concept in New York, bringing fresh groceries to the masses and growing its online sales. At the same time that AmazonFresh is testing out the brick-and-mortar grocery store concept to expand its reach, Wal-Mart did just the opposite — showing the grocery wars are indeed omnichannel today.
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Avoid parking structure damage through maintenance
Doug Haymore Facilities & GroundsA good-looking parking structure is great for a first impression. Unfortunately, parking structures see some of the worst damage and are in the greatest need of repairs. Vehicle traffic, moisture, temperature changes and naturally-occurring road salts can seriously impact the structural integrity of parking structures that aren't enclosed — and even some that are.
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No question about it: Ask, and you can receive
Fred Berns RetailIf you're not making enough sales, you're not asking enough questions. You can't get the business unless you ask for it. You can't solve a prospect's problems until you find out what they are. You can't upsell clients until you ask what they need. To whom should you ask questions? Begin with your existing customers. Focus on the future by asking them about Phase II of the project, or about what additional products and services they might need in coming months.
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