DMSRetail would love to hear from you. Tell us what your biggest challenges are in retail. We invite everyone to join in to give and get some good advice.
Archive Page 25
Your Biggest Challenge in Retail
Published December 9, 2009 Uncategorized 1 CommentTags: retail challenges
Recognize Retail Customer Service Professionals Here
Published December 6, 2009 Uncategorized 9 CommentsTags: retail customer service professionals
We get hundreds of thousands of visitors to http://www.dmsretail.com , so how better to spread the word that there are lots of wonderful, talented and dedicated customer service professionals out there?
We invite you to use our blog as a vehicle for publishing Good News stories from you – our valued customers, subscribers and friends of DMSRetail.
You must have noticed that there is a lot of negativity out there in the world, so join us in acknowledging those people, in retail, who deserve recognition for being the customer service professionals that they are.
Come on everybody. Join in, Rise up!! We are the retail community. Let’s support our best and brightest, all over the world, by giving them the recognition they deserve. If not us, then who?
DMSRetail announces the newest addition to their library of Success Guides and Tools for retailers.
It’s the Retail Math Made Simple Deluxe package. The Deluxe package contains the Success Guide – Retail Math Made Simple plus a Retail Math presentation on DVD. Now retail professionals can watch and listen to a Retail Math presentation including full explanations of important KPI’s and Balanced Scorecards, among many other things.
DMSRetail continuously seeks new ways to help retailers run successful stores and this new Deluxe package is one more tool for the retailers arsenal.
Matt Parmaks, Sr. Consultant and EVP of DMSRetail says “Day 1 of The Retail Management Workshop, our premiere professional retail management training program, focuses heavily on Retail Math and Metrics and it is a very popular and well received segment. That’s what inspired us to develop the Deluxe package including the Retail Math presentation on DVD. Now more retailers can get the help they need in this area. And it’s very affordable.”
For more information please go to http://www.dmsretail.com/retailmathbook.htm
DMSRetail brings The Retail Management Workshop to Cairo – 2nd Time! October 27-28-29, 2009
Published October 3, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: retail management courses, retail management training
Toronto, ON October 4, 2009 — DMSRetail, a leading Consulting, Training and Services company, brings leading edge retail management techniques to Cairo.
Senior Consultant and EVP for DMSRetail, Matt Parmaks says “Over the past two or three years we have seen huge growth in our business coming from the Middle East. We decided it was time to offer our premium Retail Management training program over there where people could attend without incurring the huge cost of travel that is usually associated with getting the benefits of leading edge retail management training. Basically, we want to take the information to them.”
From sophisticated retail business analytics to good, old fashioned customer service strategies, DMSRetail brings it all together in a fast paced 3 day workshop designed for retail managers and retail business owners alike.
Another Senior Consultant with DMSRetail, John Callaghan says “Doing well in a retail business is not as straight forward as it used to be. There are so many fascinating ideas and new techniques that retail managers and business owners need to be aware of in order to really excel in retail these days and we want to share all of this with our fast growing customer base in the Middle East.”
Middle East Retailers are buying in to the fact that they must do more about investing in their people. DMSRetail is seeing a sharp increase in interest in their 3 day retail management training program – ‘The Retail Management Workshop’.
Details of the program can be found at http://www.dmsretail.com/retailtraining.htm
DMSRetail has just released the Retailer’s Guide to Emotional Hot Buttons. This guide will teach Retail Managers, and their Sales Associates, how to use proven techniques that have been practiced successfully, for years… especially by big marketing companies.
The Retailers Guide to Emotional Hot Buttons is clear and concise and is loaded with powerful examples that you can start using immediately to increase conversion – turn more of your browsers into purchasers!
No matter what they say, people buy to satisfy emotional needs and wants. Rarely is a purchasing decision actually driven by logic. The Retailers Guide to Emotional Hot Buttons will teach you exactly what to say to appeal to the emotional needs and wants of your customers.
Now, more than ever, retailers are facing those words “I’m just looking” so now, more than ever, you and your teams need to use Emotional Hot Buttons to win the trust of your customer and build rapport.
Just push those buttons and sell more to more customers and more often. This is something you can’t afford to miss out on.
22 Ways of Highly Successful Retail Managers
Published August 2, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: retail management, retail manager, Retail Success
We wrote about the amazing success of a highly skilled retail manager early in 2008. Based on reader comments there were quite a few retail managers who were inspired by the story. And there were one or two who just didn’t believe it and they told us so in pretty harsh language. That’s unfortunate because the story is 100% true. It’s a story about a man who enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of a prominent retail company under some pretty tough circumstances. (You can read the story here: http://www.dmsretail.com/$7to100K.htm)
Anyway, that story in addition to other success stories we know started us thinking about just what it was that made some retail managers wildly successful while others kind of languished in the retail industry; never really making anything extraordinary happen and never moving up to where they were proud of their retail management position; those who are unable to put their stamp, or mark, on their work and, perhaps most importantly, never really reach their earning potential.
And that’s where the idea for 22 Ways of Highly Successful Retail Managers came from. So it began…the research had to be done; the long, arduous task of drilling down through all of the details to uncover the ways of the highly successful, highly skilled retail manager. There were hours and hours of conversations about what worked and what didn’t; about trial and error; about the role that personality traits played in the success of these individuals; about the road blocks and challenges encountered along the way. We examined education, background, and ambition to mention just a few things.
Well, we finally got through it all and the results were enlightening. We found that there were many, many habits – or ways – these successful, highly skilled retail managers had in common. And the ways were so evident across the board that we just knew other retail managers would want to know what they were and how they, too, could cultivate these ways to become highly skilled and, thus, enjoy similar success.
A new Success Guide was born out of this study – 22 Ways of Highly Successful Retail Managers – and it’s amazing. Any retail manager who wants to excel in the retail industry and become a ‘go to’ person, due to his/her success, needs to read it.
Every so often a book comes along that really resonates with you; a book that you read with such intense interest that you don’t want to put it down. These books add value to your life because you actually take away something that can help you; something you suddenly realize that you have been waiting for, even though you didn’t necessarily know that you were waiting for it. But what a difference it makes. All at once you see through what’s been bothering you – even if it was just a little nagging doubt or thought about what you’re doing in your career. Well, 22 Ways of Highly Successful Retail Managers is that book.
It’s the book that you will carry around with you for easy reference. It’s the one that will be ‘dog eared’ due to constant use; the one that you will tell others about. You’ll take excerpts out of the book and post them on your bulletin board, or maybe even your bathroom mirror, to help you remember a particular piece that really hits home with you.
This is the book that you will use when you have moved from being not only a highly skilled and successful retail manager yourself but to a mentor of someone else who wants to become as good as you are.
Table of Contents:
A Highly Successful Retail Manager:
Way 1. Believes and practices exemplary Customer Service.
Way 2. Interviews with a purpose, hires for the cause and trains with a passion.
Way 3. Leads by example and presents as an admirable Role Model.
Way 4. Motivates and Coaches all day, every day.
Way 5. Manages his time, plans ahead and gears for success.
Way 6. Communicates well and often.
Way 7. Holds values like Honesty and Integrity as sacred; is above reproach.
Way 8. Is accessible, follows up and follows through with consistency.
Way 9. Manages performance when and where it happens.
Way 10. Mentors and develops people to promote from within.
Way 11. Manages with a praise and reward philosophy.
Way 12. Knows his customers and their needs.
Way 13. Manages Up, Sees the Bigger Picture, Has Influence.
Way 14. Shows Operational excellence.
Way 15. Always promotes growth and is forward thinking.
Way 16. Networks in and out of the workplace.
Way 17. Possesses an unparalleled energy, ambition and enthusiasm for his work.
Way 18. Develops a Flair for Visual Merchandising.
Way 19. Has a game plan for productive store visits.
Way 20. Works hard and gets results.
Way 21. Strives for Quality and Quantity.
Way 22. Excels in all areas of retail, takes action and is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
DMSRetail Open House – Dubai, today
Published July 12, 2009 Uncategorized 1 CommentTags: DMSRetail, Retail, retail management
DMSRetail is holding an Open House for prominent Dubai Retailers today at the Sheraton Dubai Creek, 5PM. No doubt, conversation is going to include DMSretail’s 4 point formula to strengthen any retail operation during good and bad times. If you can make it we’ll see you there.
Empowerment and Customer Service
Published June 22, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: retail customer service
I have recently been subjected to three of the most unbelievably bad customer service experiences of my life. In all three situations, large well known companies were involved. One is a prominent, on-line travel provider; one is a monopoly in the telephone service industry and the other is a huge conglomerate.
I will not bore you with all of the details because I am sure you have been through similar experiences. Almost everyone has. It’s unbelievable, but true.
Being a Retail Management Consultant, I know my way around customer service issues and around company hierarchies so I managed to get my situations resolved, to my satisfaction, albeit many hours of my time were involved and my stress level was at a point where any Doctor would have administered medication on the spot.
Read the rest of the article: http://www.dmsretail.com/customerserviceandempowerment.htm
Whenever anyone talks about travel to Dubai they get the most amazing reaction from people who have read and heard about the city but haven’t had an opportunity to go there. Dubai is such a spectacular city; truly a gem in the Middle East, and most people would love to see it, but, unfortunately, most will never get the chance.
Dubai, UAE is not just for the rich and famous! Citizens of North America, Europe and many other countries flock there to experience this wonderful city. Many of them live there and love the city that is beautiful, shiny and new.
Air fare to Dubai is much less expensive than one would imagine and, as far as accommodation goes, the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel, offers DMSRetail workshop participants an unheard of rate of US$105.00 (+tax) for a Single Classic Room, City View. Upgrades to Creek View and Tower rooms are also available at preferred rates. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘Creek’. Dubai Creek is a major waterway and the view of it is lovely. And the yachts on Dubai Creek…Wow!
And you will not believe the Duty Free shop, or the terminal, when you land at Dubai International Airport. It’s bigger and does more business than any other Duty Free Shop in the world and it has great prices. That’s what Dubai is all about – the biggest and the best of everything.
Oh, and have you heard about the Mall of the Emirates? It’s a short drive from the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel. That’s the mall that includes an indoor ski hill – no kidding! You must see it! Recently another mall – the brand new Dubai Mall, heralded as the largest of course – was opened and it is spectacular. Want Luxury Brands? Shop Dubai!
The Gold Souk, which is like a large outdoor mall with many shops that sell beautiful jewelry in 18 to 24 karat gold for excellent prices, is just a short cab ride away. No need to worry when you shop for gold in Dubai. The gold merchants are very strictly regulated and you can be confident with your purchases from those shops.
DMSRetail consultants and staff have travelled to Dubai several times and we would really like you to join us next time. Right now you can take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime – see Dubai while engaging in professional development activities; learning, gaining new insights, networking and generally mingling with other retail professionals and consultants at the same time. You’ll enjoy great food, excellent service in a wonderful hotel, great company and very relevant business discussions. It’s a huge win/win for you and for your organization.
The Retail Management Workshop, for Senior Retail Managers, is being presented in Dubai, UAE July 14-15-16, 2009. The Early Bird discount and the Early Bird Group discount expire on May 31, 2009. Please act quickly as our Dubai sessions are very popular and this one is filling up quickly. You can see our brochure here: http://www.dmsretail.com/rmwbrochure.pdf
Please let me know if you would like me to reserve your seat(s) for this event. I’ll be pleased to offer priority processing for you. Or, for more about rates or general information, send an email to training@dmsretail.com .
The DMSRetail Team looks forward to meeting you in Dubai this July!!
Best Regards,
Josephine Hill,
Event Coordinator
DMSRetail
+1(312)239-0919
jhill@dmsretail.com
P.S. I forgot to mention the amazing beach ! Retail professional development is not a luxury, but it will feel like it in Dubai. Contact us now to register or you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Retail Training Equation
Published May 9, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: retail management, retail management program, retail management training, retail management workshop, retail training
Economic times are cyclical. At present, the cycle is in a down phase and needs to recover as quickly as possible. During such times, it is people who will make the difference in your business. It is most often the people who have been trained appropriately that rise to meet and overcome these challenges. Industry specific training not only enables businesses to achieve fiscal prosperity; training of this nature will enable a person to think. Thinking critically and strategically and being adaptable to various business situations is where successes will be found in times such as these.
When a company employs staff members to interact with and sell to customers, would it not behoove that company to acquire, support and train those staff to be the very best in the industry? One of the most charismatic and captivating senior consultants with DMSRetail has always followed this philosophy when hiring, training and developing sales staff: hire the best, train them to be better, pay them more, expect more and get more. This works, regardless of the particular industry, geographic location or market sector.
Thinking about the importance of training and education in any industry, consider the following equation. If one were to apply a proportional weight to each component, what would your organization allocate to “Top-to-Bottom Training”?
Vision + Determination/Motivation to Succeed + Top-to-Bottom Training = Successful/Profitable Company
Of course, this is a dramatically simplified equation, which does not assume many of the intricate business challenges that are ever present, but it does capture the essence of achievement. Broken down slightly further and simplified to another level, the equation might be read as:
The Goal + Drive to Achieve that Goal + Capable Personnel to Implement the Action Plan = $$$$$
Remove any one element of the equation and the entire formula becomes void. How can a capable team of individuals with vast amounts of motivation achieve anything if they have no idea what it is they are to achieve (The Goal)? Similarly, what use is a spectacular goal and plan, if there is a deficit of trained, capable personnel to make it happen?
The truth about training is simple: trained personnel are absolutely critical to the survival and longevity of any retail operation.
Investing in training for the people that ‘make it happen’, so to speak, is absolutely invaluable. The “Vision” can be conjured by the executives. The “Determination/Motivation” can be aroused and fuelled by company leaders as well. The “Capable Personnel” need to be trained by experts with a passion for retail and a wealth of relevant experience.
One of the greatest success coaches of all time, Anthony Robbins, coined the acronym CANI; Consistent and Never-ending Improvement. This should apply to every area of your retail operation. The executives need to find ways to develop further their capacity for strategic, long term thinking to assure the continued growth and prosperity of the corporation. Mid-level management should consistently be pushing beyond their comfort zones with regard to customer service and sales tactics, motivational capabilities, operating efficiencies, etc…. The full and part time store personnel; these employees need to direct massive amounts of energy to improving their capabilities as the company’s front line players. Nothing will happen until something gets sold, and the in-store personnel are the people who sell; teach them well. Every way that improvement can be found and ratified, should be capitalized upon.
Take a minute to reflect on your own business practices, those of your company and those of your competition. Make a mental list of all the training practices that are present in your store, in your organization and in your competitors’ organizations. What does that list look like? Do you feel confident that you are doing everything within your power to separate you and your colleagues from the competition? How can improvements be made? What sort of activities and information might help? Who might be able to illuminate the resources necessary for this re-configuring of our company’s training initiatives?
DMSRetail specializes in researching the most detailed, leading edge market information available and maintaining consistency within their training seminars. These training sessions, as well as their library of training tools, have enabled countless companies throughout the world to achieve great success within their own unique markets. The DMSRetail Brand Consultants will customize any one of their training seminar series’ to suit the needs of your company and ensure that the competition is left questioning; “why have sales increased for them, and not for us?”
The retail training equation is only one aspect of the business which we all have invested ourselves in, but it is certainly an important aspect. Without proper training and effective tools to apply the new knowledge, you are no further ahead. Seek to improve, achieve improvement and success is certain to follow.
You can reach Erik Miethner at emiethner@dmsretail.com
DMSRetail 