Gaining an edge in your niche is more than just being a leader in sales and volume. It is watching your brand become recognized in your community, or being seen as a fixture in your neighborhood. For others, it is a point of satisfaction knowing that your products and services have made a positive impact…
Every shoe sale is a conversation. Like no other retail business, selling shoes is about moving from a customer’s elusive tastes and vague expectations to a final sale via an array of subtle variations. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, after all, just as there’s no perfect size 7 or a perfect foot to match it. Which…
It’s like a magic spell from a Disney movie. If you could get that couple on the street to take just one sip of your signature ramen you know they’d be captured forever as loyal customers. It can seem like a long way from the sidewalk to your best table, however. What customers really want…
Few industries are as dynamic or as challenging as professional services. Analysts indicate that the professional services industry growth rate will be as high as 10 percent annually for many segments. Yet price declines due to automation and competition from in-house services will put great pressure on the revenues and profits of professional services. The…
The images that enter the heads of those imagining what it is to operate a food truck can border on extreme fantasy, but can yet still be somewhat accurate. Images of sweaty days, sloppy sandwiches, and a cluttered office space that occupies exactly one car seat are largely extreme takes that do not present an…
For many businesses, expansion is part of the plan from day one. For restaurant owners, however, thoughts of opening one or more new locations or adding new services such as catering or hosting special events may not arise until the business has begun to establish itself. Then the challenge becomes how to maintain the…
Doing business with a solid foundation of technology is no longer an optional path. The need to conduct business with an innovative, high-tech core in place is being driven by increased consumer expectations. As the level of technology improves in the lives of the consumer, they, in turn, expect the businesses they frequent to be…
Restaurants have always been more than simply places to grab a bite to eat. Now more than ever, restaurant dining is a social experience that brings family, friends, coworkers, and new acquaintances together to share the joy of a delicious meal. Too often, however, the light and happy mood at the table fizzles when the…