Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/103845
Anonymous Distributor Image above ©istockphoto.com/The-Tor. Image below ©istockphoto.com/alashi. Thought-provoking comments, a little satire and wit, and sometimes a challenge or two from an anonymous distributor Have a goal, and focus on it for 2013. You can make it happen. You can make a difference. And always remember that smiling is contagious. D id you make a New Year's Resolution for 2013? Did you keep it any longer than 2012's New Year's Resolution? It's been a few years since I've even bothered making a New Year's Resolution. Of course, I'm the guy who's reached the age that New Year's Eve means going to bed at the usual time, unless I'm at a party. And even then, it's a struggle keeping my eyes open until midnight. You may have experienced the very same "symptoms." But I like New Year's Day and always have. There's something special about beginning the New Year with another opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others, whether they be family, friends or employees. The feeling should be that it's the first bright new day of the New Year. And that's a good feeling because opportunities abound. Yeah, we had our ups and downs in 2012. But that was yesterday. Just remember not to spend a lot of time looking back at last year, because "back" is not the direction you want to be going in 2013. Moving forward should be your focus. I suppose the most important thing to remember for 2013 is that doing things the same way you have always done them will not change your results for the better. So shake 8 things up. Do things better and differently. If it doesn't work out, try something else. Have a goal, and focus on it for 2013. You can make it happen. You can make a difference. And always remember that smiling is contagious. "Showrooming" is a relatively new word in the world of retail sales that I told you about a few months ago. "Showrooming" occurs when someone walks into a retail store, has a clerk demonstrate the features of various products, and then, when they return home or even while they are on the retail floor, they will shop the item they want online, looking for a better price. Best Buy, in particular, has been really affected by "showrooming." It is combating this by having sales reps with tablets meet customers as they enter the store. The sales reps then escort the customers throughout the store as they compare specs on product models that interest them, allow the customers to experience and use the features on the models they like best, and then consummate the sale on the spot. If the product isn't in stock, the clerk can arrange for same-day in-store pickup using Best Buy's existing warehousing infrastructure or offer home delivery. OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Enhanced customer service in the form of knowledgeable salespeople is how retailers are differentiating themselves from online e-tailers. I can buy an Apple computer online directly from Apple. But if I purchase the Apple computer directly from a nearby Apple store, I can get all the hand-holding and knowledge transfer that will really make me comfortable with the purchase. Because retailers are facing pressure from two directions, Walmart's low prices and Amazon's e-commerce-driven convenience, they are reinventing themselves by embracing "omnichannel commerce." "Omni-channel commerce" aims to deliver a seamless consumer shopping experience through all available channels (i.e. mobile devices, personal computers, brick-andmortar stores, catalogs, and newer shopping channels yet to come). Why am I sharing this with you? Because you need to know what is happening and what is changing in the retail channel. When you read that big-box retailers are focusing on enhanced customer service and extremely knowledgeable salespeople, you know that you have already been offering these services to your customers for many years. You already know these are competitive advantages for you. Focus most on what you do well or should be doing well. You'll be surprised at the results. Harvey Mackay suggested in a December blog that every company should have a Santa Claus attitude. I wanted to share a few of these Santa Claus attributes with you, because they'll serve you well in your business. Santa Claus has a great reputation. He is a magnanimous soul who stands for goodness and generosity. Santa Claus is a great listener. He pays very close attention to what you want. Santa Claus has a great smile. You know how important I think "smiling" is! Santa Claus has humility. He never takes credit for all the happiness he spreads. Santa Claus has enthusiasm. He does the same job year after year. He's a pro. Wow, let's all be pros and be the best we can be for 2013. OPE Contact the Anonymous Distributor at anonymous.distributor@gmail.com or read his blog at www.anonymousdistributor.blogspot.com. www.outdoorpowerequipment.com