It’s hard to believe that Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day is almost here. And while many people are focusing on the actual politics, I always have a different angle. Working in this industry, I know one thing is true—it’s all about the promotions. During the election, I took a look at some of the weirdest political…
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For those of you who regularly read my blog, I want to caution you that this article tackles some very real and sensitive topics. But I want to share with you how I have been able to use what I’ve experienced in my personal life as motivation, and how you can use even the most…
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“Department Stores Are Paying the Price for Underestimating Amazon” Department stores have been dabbling in e-commerce for a long time, but failed to recognize the big shift in consumer shopping preferences. Now, they are paying the price by closing stores en masse and shifting more investments into e-commerce. Amazon has such a large lead online…
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Customer shopping expectations are racing ahead at light speed. We are at the point where buying online is often simpler and preferred over talking with a person. When that happens, new value is created and a new buying preferences are formed. To build your business, you must leverage your relationships while participating in the burgeoning…
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I have written about changing business landscapes in this publication for more than a decade now. During this time, we have experienced a shift in technology that created an “adapt or perish” atmosphere. We also experienced a recession so deep, many didn’t expect our industry could bounce back. But, we did. Today, we face uncertainties…
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In just more than three short weeks, we’ll be saying “so long” to 2016 and welcoming in a brand new start. As the craziness of December slows down from a boil to a simmer, and when you finally get to catch your breath, you realize the reset button gets hit, and soon you’ll be starting…
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Question: In QuickBooks, do I set up my items as “non-inventory part” or “inventory part?” Answer: Most always, ad specialty transactions are of the “non-inventory part” variety. The items ordered are customized to our clients’ specifications—drop shipped directly to them, and we, the distributor, do not take physical possession. And in QuickBooks, these transactions are…
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In my last blog article, I discussed the fact that most distributors don’t really own a business, but rather, they own a job. The test to determine if you own your own business is if you can fly to Hawaii for three months and tell someone else where to send your check. The key words…
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Hopefully, by now, you know that you cannot just be a product source and expect to command a premium price or a loyal customer base. Quite simply, if you don’t want to be commoditized, don’t be a commodity. Think about why your customers buy, and work to give them a reason to buy from you.…
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If you are like most business owners, you want to make money from the efforts of others. A lot of people say they own their own businesses, but many really don’t own businesses at all. They just own jobs. Here’s the test: Can you fly to Hawaii for three months and tell someone else where…
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