10 Things You Need
Cinda Baxter -- Gifts and Dec, 7/23/2011 6:33:13 AM
CINDA BAXTER is a retail expert and consultant.
I've said it before , i'll say it again: mother nature is in the midst of a raging menopausal fit. Since the first of the year, we've seen unprecedented freeze outs, crying jags, hot flashes, and outbursts, each one having an impact on retail sales.
So how do you prepare for the worst while planning for the best? Easy. Be ready for all of it. Here are 10 things you need in place, regardless of what the world throws your way, from weather to "real life:"
10. Emergency copies The following items should be kept off-site, in a secure, locked, fireproof location (preferably a safe deposit box, since they withstand most crisises): all passwords, PINs, computer logins, bank information, copies of the front and back of your store credit cards, an extra set of keys, and a CD containing scans of critical files, quarterly inventory and tax documents. Include contact info for the landlord, alarm company, insurance company and store manager or reliable employee. Have a co-signer on the box - someone you trust implicitly who lives in the area, but not with you - so they can access it if you're hit by a bus (or worse), putting tools in their hands to keep your doors open.
9. Store photographs Take photos of the interior, exterior, office and stock room quarterly. They don't have to be pretty, but they do need to be clear. That way, if something catastrophic occurs that wipes the place out, you have visual proof and reminders necessary to file insurance claims.
8. Corded telephone The power will, on occasion, go out. Whether weather related, due to nearby construction, or simple line failure, it's good to know you can still answer the phone when a customer calls (as well as make outbound calls that don't show your personal cell number on someone's caller ID).
7. Manual credit card ratchet, carbon slips That same pesky power failure that kills a phone system also cuts off Internet access and credit card transactions. Old school ratchets allow you to accept the card, then call it in for approval (at that moment, if you also have a corded phone).
6. Extra paper and ink cartridges Printers/faxes, credit card machines and registers don't do much without paper or ink. Stash extras out of sight so no one uses it then forgets to tell you. Pay close attention to expiration dates on ink, since passing one can render some cartridges unusable.
5. Good champagne and six glass flutes What do you do when your best customer comes in to announce they're engaged, a new grandparent, bought their first house, or are celebrating some other major milestone? Make them feel like royalty. Who knows? Maybe they just won the lotto and are ready to shop.
4. Quick fixes Ibuprofin, fast acting antacid, bandages, breath freshening strips and eye drops are invaluable. Put extra breath strips behind the counter so employees can sneak one when retrieving an "accidentally" dropped pen or pencil. Also stash a canister of anti-bacterial wipes behind the counter for quick, inconspicuous "touch ups" when necessary.
3. Protein bars and bottled water Hunger can trigger headaches, as can dehydration. Don't assume it's one or the other, since thirst can produce stomach rumbles too. Grab a bite of something healthy while draining at least 12 ounces of aqua if your head begins to throb or your midsection begins to growl. Add an M&M dispenser for a sweet touch, and you're set.
2. Accountant and attorney with retail experience Nearly every time a client appears with convoluted books, it's because their accountant or bookkeeper didn't understand retail. Same for attorneys. This is an industry with unique patterns and rules; be sure the most critical people in your team "get it."
1. A trusted industry mentor My first was Laurie, a consultant. Later, Judy, a fellow retailer. Over time, it became a small group of trusted friends in the industry who emailed daily. Find yours. Ask questions. Listen. Chime in. Share. Repeat. While it sounds like a lot to take on, most of the 10 are pretty simple and inexpensive. Tempted to backburner this little project? No sweat ... provided you're okay risking more than a lost sale next time Mother Nature pitches a fit.
Cinda Baxter is a retail coach (Always Upward) and founder of both The 3/50 Project and RetailSpeaks.com - organizations that support independent retailers. She can be reached at get_info@ alwaysupward.com.
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