On Making Resolutions
Maria Weiskott, Editor-in-Chief -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2008
Happy New Year!
Okay … well-wishing aside, and foregoing a host of stale clichés (“2008, can you believe it!” “Yikes, where did the last year go!”), I'll cut right to the chase: New Year's resolutions.
Personally, I don't do resolutions at the start of the year. After all, there are so many “starts” to the year, I wouldn't know where to begin. Millions do make their resolutions according to the Gregorian calendar — January first.
But then again, many more millions make resolutions that coincide with the Chinese calendar, and will begin their resolutions on February 7 (according to the Gregorian calendar). Then again, several more millions will make theirs on January 10, start of the Islamic New Year, and even more millions will make them on March 21, start of the new year according to the Indian National Calendar. Additional millions will be making their resolutions on September 29, start of the Jewish New Year.
During the all-important holiday selling season — followed just days later by the all-important market buying season — it's likely that many retailers have already missed some of the above mentioned deadlines for making resolutions (or have already broken some made in haste).
Personally, I like to make my resolutions on my birthday. It's the start of my own new year, and one I can always remember the deadline for. So here's a thought … Try making a resolution or two on the birthday of your store, a day that was talked about, dreamed about, planned for and welcomed as much as any other birthday.
And when making those resolutions, revisit some you made the day you first opened your doors for business. That you would:
- Get to know your customers, and keep them coming back
- Differentiate your store from others with unique products
- Keep your inventory fresh
- Distance your store from the masses and never try to compete with them
- Make your store a destination
- Be in business for the long haul
I revisit resolutions every year on my birthday and it really helps to keep the resolve strong. At the top of the list: buy a gift for every possible occasion for every friend and family member. Why? Because I want you in business for the long haul too!
