Carefully Consider About your Growth Options when you Open a Dollar Store

By: Bob Hamilton

One of the clear messages about business growth is that you cannot allow sales to remain flat. Those who open a dollar store soon find this message was almost written for them. They discover they must grow dollar store sale levels just to keep up with their rising dollar store cost. After all, there are tight margins in the dollar discount business world, and sales growth is one of the keys to maintaining dollar store profits. One of the frequently taken strategies for growing sales is to open a second store, and then a third. Yet this form of expansion may not be the best choice for your business.

In this article I present another option for you to consider before adding another store to your dollar store business operation. That option is to grow the store you are currently operating. In fact it is almost impossible for the small business person to beat this option until you have maximized the sales and overall performance of your existing location. Until you have maximized dollar store sale levels at your existing location, the potential dollar store profits justify maintaining continued focus where you are at. For almost no added dollar store cost you grow sales further. If there is added space available, simply expanding your current location may be the smartest growth option once you have maximized sales completely.

Maximizing your present location rather than going ahead to open a dollar store at another location can truly be the lowest dollar store cost option available. Rather than adding all of the labor required to open, manage and operate another location you add just the headcount required to support the increase in business.

Of course this option does require a solid location that can support added sales. There must be the parking and a customer base to draw from for it to work. You will also need to make changes to the interior of your store. After all added sales will mean added inventory. Added displays and storage will be required for the new inventory. And of course it will also require some incremental staffing and support. Finally this strategy will also require added marketing and promotion to bring in more shoppers.

This strategy for growing sales comes with minimal added dollar store cost. Yet the potential dollar store profits combined with the reduced risk over adding another store and the ease of operation make this option a real winning idea for many dollar store businesses.

To your success when you open a dollar store!

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11469.shtml

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Get rid of Errands upon Starting a Dollar Store

By: Bob Hamilton

Upon starting a dollar store, it is necessary to keep an eye on every little detail happening with your business. There may be some very important tasks as it seems, but later on these very tasks prove to be no value in your dollar store business. In next to no time, you will notice that most of your personnel are spending more of their time focused on dealing with these non-profitable tasks almost everyday. Ironically, these tasks make your dollar store spend more money too. And since these tasks only serve as errands in your business, the next step to be taken is to get rid of them. Make it your business policy to focus only on things that will bring your dollar store closer to the success desire.

Better look at the labor done by you and your personnel on a monthly basis. You will be surprised to find out that there are daily tasks carried out by your personnel that are actually one-time actions only. In a more astonishing circumstance, you will just notice that these tasks get the most attention from your personnel - who keep on doing the tasks repeatedly. But with constant monitoring of your business operation, you will be able to get rid of those errands and put their efforts in a more profiting job.

Your personnel know the significance of the tasks they are carrying out. Among all people, they are the ones who have the better understanding of what they are asked to carry out. It will just take a few minutes to discover the unimportant tasks; all you have to do is to solicit and listen to their ideas on the entire list of tasks you are asking to be done in your dollar store. Then, you are in-charge of the elimination of the truly insignificant and money-wasting tasks in your dollar store business.

In starting a dollar store, there are tasks needing to be carried out for smooth operation. And focus, as well as attention, should be given to those tasks. However, you may grab a chance to consolidate tasks that are almost similar in nature and assign them to a single person. Applying this strategy, your dollar store business is likely to gain swiftness because the task is being carried out by a practiced one. At the same time, you will also cut out the redundant dollar store cost.

Getting rid of these errands is most likely effective to begin with even before you open a dollar store. Afterwards, you can repeat the process from time to time as you see the need for it.

You should learn by heart that these errands will not make sales and profits in your store. So, be a smart dollar store business owner by never permitting errands to have their way in your operation.

To your success when starting a dollar store!

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11466.shtml

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Getting Employers to Say Yes: The Power of Adding Value

By: Lisa Jordan

It helps to always assume that employers have heard it all before. No pitch is new and chances are, businesses already have set predispositions on how they?d respond. What you need to do is be several steps ahead of their thinking. Don?t just present the bare minimum; aim to show added value.

Understanding Added Value

?Added value? means something different or new that can?t easily be found elsewhere. It?s a concrete benefit for the business and may even be their competitive advantage. These added values may be the value of your customers as individual employees; the value of hires you recommend for the business; and, the value of you as their service provider.

Added value can translate to employees with better skills, work ethic, expertise, teamwork or performance. On a business level, added value can mean more profits, reduced cost, better client relations, enhanced company public image and more streamlined systems. When it comes to dealing with you, added value can be excellent response time, comprehensive proposals and accurate matching.

Presenting Added Value

To ensure that you?re always in that added value mindset, take time to strategize. Make sure that every time you and your employer get together, there?s something in it for them.

Do your homework before you meet. The initial meeting is not the time to learn about your employers? needs. Even before setting an appointment, familiarize yourself with the company?s products/services, mission-vision, corporate structure as well as business history. Research too about the persons you?re to meet; their work experience, management style and, if applicable, research slant.

Company websites can provide these details, as well as business publications. You can also ask key resource personnel like a company staff you know, or a peer who has worked with the employer before. A survey of their Human Resource Department wouldn?t hurt as well.

Once you have these details, look for all possible matches with your customers and identify opportunities to address business needs. Add more substance to your arguments to increase your convincing power.

ALWAYS lead with a business cause and a business need. It?s not unusual for service-providers to think in terms of altruism and social responsibility. For instance, you might be tempted to package hiring persons with disabilities as ?the right thing to do? or as a ?signal that change is still needed.?

But at the end of the day, a business has to make money in order for it to continue running. So lead with a business cause: how will working with you benefit their bottom line? For instance, instead of arguing in abstract principles, show them how another company increased their sales because of a customer you referred. Quantifiable sales improvements are always something that will catch an employers? attention!

Underpromise and overdeliver. Underpromising doesn?t mean that you take a stance of inability to accomplish anything. Rather, this means avoiding vague references to commitment such as ?I?ll have it for you shortly? or ?I?ll see what I can do.? Vague promises like these are usually never kept and it?s better to not mention anything at all. Service-providers managing several programs at once are prone to this.

An alternative is to be really specific with your commitment (e.g. ?I?ll have it in your desk by 5pm Wednesday?) —and stick to it. But, while you?re advised to be tactful with your promises, surprise your employer with efforts they?re not anticipating. This way you get to exceed their expectations!

Clarify employer expectations. Always check if you and your employer are on the same page. Do this at the beginning of every meeting as you discuss outcome expectations, but also along the way. Explain clearly the process, the best methods of contacting you, how to handle troubleshooting and anything else of importance or value to the employer.

Match well. Lastly, make sure that every match you suggest is well-thought out and based on facts. Don?t just make referrals to meet your placement numbers. Not only is this not in the best interest of the candidate or the employer, but it will weaken your relationship with the employer over time. Remember, your ultimate goal is to strengthen and maintain relationships with your employers.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11481.shtml

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Communication Strategies for Service Providers: DoÂ?s and DonÂ?tÂ?s

By: Lisa Jordan

Constantly consulting with customers is a major part of being a workforce development professional. For instance, during the placement process, you are often required to communicate with the customer before, during, and after job placement. You may also be required to communicate with employers, your other customer, during this process.

It?s important to know not just what to say, but how to say it. Process is as important as content —you?re not handling merchandise, you?re relating with people!

Practice Active Listening

Active listening is an underrated communication skill; its benefits are many and significant. For one, active listening allows you to have a comprehensive and accurate grasp of your customers? message, which in turn helps you craft a qualified response. More importantly, active listening sends a message of sincerity, respect and acceptance.

Attend to your customers not just with your ear, but with your whole body. If it?s evident in your body language that you are actively listening, you encourage the customer to be more open and trusting. Simple things like maintaining eye contact, leaning forward towards the speaker, and avoiding distracting mannerisms, can go a long way.

Paraphrasing is also an excellent way to communicate that you?re listening, particularly if you?re conversing with a person who?s blind or visually impaired who may not otherwise pick up on your body language. Paraphrasing is summarizing what you understood and asking for feedback if your comprehension is accurate.

On a related note, active listening also means admitting when you don?t understand something. When conversing with an individual with a speech impairment, don?t pretend that you understood something when you actually didn?t. Rather, ask your customer to repeat what s/he said. Clarifying is a listening skill that tells a speaker you sincerely wish to understand their message.

And, don?t forget! Clear your mind of distractions when listening. Don?t rehearse what to say next, or indulge in an off-topic thought. The more focused you are, the better listener you?ll be.

Build a Circle of Trust

Trust is integral in any relationship. Even if you just met, there are already many ways you can communicate that you?re a trustworthy person.

First, keep your word. When you say you?re going to do something, follow through. A service provider who?s absent at a meeting s/he committed to attend can hardly be seen as someone reliable!

Keep things professional and mind your boundaries. If your customers can sense that you?re involved, but objective, they?ll feel more comfortable with you. Always ensure privacy and confidentiality. Hard-built trust can fall with just one breach of ethics.

Remember, too, that disability information, or any information, should only be shared on a ?need to know? basis. Don?t probe for information that has no relevance to the goals of the consultation. In the case of a workforce development professional, this means information related to the job placement process only.

Respect

Treat customers with dignity and courtesy; don?t assuming things about their needs, feelings and competence because of their disabilities. Like their able-bodies counterparts, many persons with disabilities have also led fulfilling personal, relational and work lives. Ultimately, they are a person first. Their disability does not define them.

When discussing disability, always use ?person first? language. For example, say ?person who uses a wheelchair? rather than ?someone who is wheelchair-bound.? Avoid designations that might be interpreted as patronizing like ?sweetie? or ?dear.? In fact, just ask your customer what they?d like to be called; don?t assume.

Use appropriate disability etiquette and basic manners. Don?t assume someone wants or requires assistance; persons with disabilities have likely been dealing with different tasks for some time. If it is your policy to ask everyone if they need assistance, that?s great. Otherwise, wait to be asked. Then, don?t go beyond the request.

As a rule, when asking questions, remember to stick to questions that are relevant to the service you are providing. Personal curiosity is never a good reason to raise a question. Don?t ?steer? a customer to a particular job based on disability ? it?s illegal! Neither should you give disability related advice (e.g. medication, treatment).

Adapt to the situation ? don?t follow a script. As long as you mind basic manners and etiquette, there?s no need to be self-conscious. It?s also okay to just ask what someone needs.

Show Concern

Make sure your customers are comfortable with the process. Choose your words wisely and be aware of your tone.

Be sure to limit or avoid physical contact. It?s fine to shake hands in greeting, but hugging or constant touching of the arm may communicate the wrong message to your customer. If you need to make physical contact in order to assist a person, that?s fine. Just be sure to obtain their permission first.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11494.shtml

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Mass Segment to Drive Indian Housing Industry

By: Shushmul Maheshwari

A new report by RNCOS provides extensive research and rational analysis of the Indian housing industry, giving an insight into the industry?s current and future trends. It evaluates industry?s performance based upon the market demand and future value of the housing industry.

According to our latest research report, ?Indian Housing Sector Analysis? housing market in India has witnessed a series of transformations over the last decade. The housing segment is undergoing enhanced product development, increasing investment opportunities and entry of large number of realty developers after years of unplanned development. We have found that over a period of time, the housing segment has become a major contributor to the overall real estate development in India. Also, the total economic value generated by the housing industry has grown by around 18.5% in the recent years.

Besides this, our research result has found radical changes in the industry approach due to changes in the economic environment in last 18 months. While analyzing the industry performance, we have also taken care of the impact of government initiatives, changes in the policy framework and the shift in the consumer demand patterns.

We have tried not to restrict the scope of our research to just the performance of the housing industry but have also covered valuable and critical information on the credit industry and other associated industries like cement, steel, tiles, etc. The demand analysis presented in the report gives the clear picture on the future outlook of the industry, helping real estate companies to formulate their strategies to tap the market demand.

This report provides extensive research and rational analysis on the Indian housing industry. It provides segment level analysis of the housing industry in India. Our research findings will definitely help consultants, industry analysts and vendors to get in-depth knowledge on the current, past and future performance of the industry.

The forecast given in the report is based upon the correlation between past market trends, statistical analysis and industry drivers and gives a direction to clients in which the industry is likely to move. It will also help clients in identifying the opportunities to tap in the Indian housing industry.

For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM013.htm

Check DISCOUNTED REPORTS on: http://www.rncos.com

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_11524.shtml

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