Whatever happened to quality?

  I am ashamed. Of myself and I am ashamed for others. We have become such a society of "throw-aways" that we have forgotten what the definition of quality is. Sure, we all take an occasional trip to the Dollar Store or Walmart or Sam's Club and we pick up the most ridiculous stuff. Why do we do this? It's cheap and easily accessible.

  Have you ever noticed how the stuff just doesn't last? So we toss it and go about to buy more stuff to replace the stuff that broke. Here is a bit of reality from the late George Carlin:

  

I want all of you to do me a favor, because I am doing this too, the next time you take a trip please ask yourself... Do I really need this?  Then ask yourself, what can I spend my hard-earned money on that will give my life meaning and add value?  You may find yourself traveling out to your local mom and pop stores more often to buy something of quality and value. Things that you can be proud of owning and supporting, your local retailers. They are more unique than big box stores and quite often not that much further away in price.  

  Let's get out there and join the movement to shop quality. Shop local!

Why Small Businesses Should be Thinking about a Social Media Plan

   Did you know that by not using social media that you are losing out to the competition that does? Social media needs to become a part of your present marketing plan if it is not already. It is alright to start small with a Facebook business page or a Twitter account, as long as you start! Think of social media influence as the cherry on your ice cream sundae. So what should your social media campaign include?

• Ask your customers which platform they use most. Do they use Facebook? Twitter? Google+? How often do they use social media and what for? By getting a overall, general view of how your customer base uses social media, you can build the content around it.
• Hire a professional. Why? You need someone you can trust that will help explain the technology and the nuances behind these new ideas. Here are a few of my recommendations for the Roanoke, VA, area:
• John Lusher Consulting
• Coty Connections
• The Social Buzz Lab
• Create content around your business base. Creating content can be as simple as blog postings up the interesting things you do or happens in your business. People always like good news and good stories! Try to refrain from any negativity when at all possible!
• Share Content related to your business by other businesses. Always recognize and cheer others on! It helps your business in return! The nice guy finishes first in this case!
• INTERACT. Successful social media techniques require you to interact with your customer base! There is an old adage in retail, if one customer has one bad experience, they tell 20 friends, and their friends tell 20 friends... and so on. 

  So what's stopping you from creating a campaign? Hop to it!

Good idea: Local Businesses Band Together to Create Opportunities

   

  In spite of the economy showing signs of recovery, the local business industry needs more support now than ever. Our country did not begin on the backs of British corporations but on the backs of the immigrants who relocated and built businesses in America. While things are beginning to look up, remember to try to purchase as much as you can from local store owners, farms, and kitchens. 

  Here is something that I love to see, local businesses banding together to support each other! Based on the Salem 'Til Nine events from this past holiday, some things have been changed, but the idea remains the same. Numerous local businesses have signed up to be a part of this event. They are offering special promotions for customers on Saturday, March 24th from 11 AM until 2 PM. Keep checking this link for an update on businesses participating in this event! 

The Importance of Transparency in Every Business

    Do you like secrets? Do you like thinking someone is not telling the whole truth? No? Most people don't like secrets. Even if it has nothing to do with them. The Better Business Bureau uses the idea of transparency as a method of measuring, among other things, the reliability of a business for consumers. It is vitally important for small business, corporations, and non-profit organizations to maintain the idea of transparency. So what is transparency? According to Wikipedia (yes, of all people, I'm using it as a source!), transparency is

1. Openness: It is the capability of the public to access information about the business. The public knows not everyone is perfect. If you have skeletons, admit it. Part of running an organization is experimentation. If someone asks a question, answer it directly. Out in the open. Be honest and upfront. The less you have to hide, it is less likely that you get caught in a lie. 
2. Communication: With the onset of social media, there are more and more ways of communicating with your customers, employees, and supporters. Why not learn them? Many businesses have websites and Facebook pages and they don't use them properly. Hire a social media consultant. Going to television and newspaper is the old way of doing things and many people don't even bother to turn on their TV or read the newspaper anymore. Where do they get their information? Online. Make it your strategy now.
3. Accountability: Ok, you messed up. Now fess up! If you admit mistakes, your business will appear more reachable to the customer. I know. It's opposite what you were taught in business school, right? Flubbing up occasionally should not hurt. As long as you create new policies or standards to prevent the problem from occurring again. Sometimes, it is just as simple as an apology. Other times, it may create a new way of thinking about how decide to conduct business in the future. 

  If you find out your support system is complaining about something, to friends or acquaintances, listen up! One of these lines is broken and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible! The faster these three ideas behind your transparency are fixed, the more business and clients you will receive!

Why Small Businesses Close

   After hearing about Millie's in Salem closing today, I thought about a few things. Here are some of my thoughts on why some local businesses close and what they can do to stay open. 

  I went to a Salem at Night event last November. And I can pretty much predict who will remain open and who might close in the next five years. When I stepped into Millie's, I was greeted, but that is where the relationship ended. I felt like I was being judged in the first ten seconds upon appearance. Bad form for people in the customer service field. I felt like, upon leaving, that they just didn't need my business. I was looking for ideas for my sisters and figured I might find something cool and different for them. Taking no interest in why the customer is in your store is not going to help your business be successful. 

1. Never, EVER, go into business because you think it will be cool. You go into business because it is your calling in life. 
2. You will put in more than 40 hours a week.Your business is with you 24/7. You have to be committed to that concept in order to be successful. 
3. Have a solid business plan and a solid direction. You really can't just walk into a business and expect it to take care of itself. You have to research and your plan has to reflect new things that you have learned. 
4. Be flexible. Sometimes ideas and plans are not going to work they way you expected them too. Revamp, redesign, and learn from it! You can not be a control freak where people are involved!
5. Create conversations with open-ended questions. Someone should have asked me who or why I was shopping there last night! Make me talk! I know it's easy to leave people to their own devices, but if you create a relationship with them, they are more likely to be return customers! Talk about your products and why they are great!
6. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA. Ever. Good reviews travel just as fast as bad reviews. People band together and stick to their favorite places. 

  I know Millie's had a strong following, but I feel that they could have reached out more. Or just done more. A business is not a hobby, it is your life. The amount of effort you put into it will hopefully be what you get back! 

Here's the skinny...

   Many of you know me from some of the other blogs I write. However, it has come to my attention that some local businesses need a leg up... or a slap on the wrist. I have worked retail in many various forms for over 16 years. I have run small businesses and been a supervisor for larger corporations. I know all the tricks and tools of the retail trade.

  I have also learned that you have to occasionally shift careers and do something different. Currently, I am a full-time Chemistry-Math major, part-time instructional assistant, business manager for a home-based business, and a marketing director for another home-based business. I'm a pretty busy girl. But not busy enough to not tell you, the follower, when a business does not act like it should. 

  But I won't just talk about those "bad" businesses. I am also going to tell you about excellent examples of customer service, awesome marketing techniques, and great local products! 

  Who makes the difference on this blog... you do! Comment below or send me a message of what you would like to read or your experience with a local business (Southwest Virginia)!