From the currently running Walmart “game day” television commercials:
If there’s a better price out there, [we’ll] even match it.
Translated: We aren’t the cheapest.
Walmart’s allure has always been cost savings. Anyone who pays attention wandering through the narrow aisles, however, recognizes “strategic pricing,” where some high demand items may be lower in price, but an enormous percentage of items are not. They’re either MSRP…or higher. It’s all about coaxing ‘em in on cheap toilet paper, then making up the difference in the rest of the shopping list. [click here to continue…]
Yes, times are tough. And yes, a lot of businesses are up against a wall financially. And yes, there are a lot of vendors getting “declines” when they run credit cards for ready-to-ship orders. But wait a minute…. How did retailers get themselves into this dysfunctional “pay up front” system, eradicating N30 terms, erasing any possibility of pulling revenue out of the product before the bills are due?
Small businesses have created nearly two thirds of all the new jobs over the past decade and a half. In other words, we can’t have a recovery without them.
This means you, local, independent brick and mortars. Whether a design firm in a converted warehouse or an upscale boutique downtown, you’re the ones who employee the masses, funneling payroll tax money back into the system. You contribute to the local economy by way of commercial property tax-—something home based businesses don’t do. Every dime spent on utilities at work is in addition to what you also pay for the house. You’re the little engine that could…and does.
I’m thrilled to hear someone in the national media take note of the fact. Finally.
From an interview with AmEx CEO, Kenneth Chenault, in the current issue of Fortune Magazine:
We’re doing a “back to the future” on the charge card. That’s our pay-in-full product at the end of 30 days. Consumers want discipline, and if we can bring that discipline of paying in full at the end of the month along with the service levels that we provide, plus the rewards and other programs we have, we think that’s a tremendous opportunity for us to grow.
Yes, it would be a tremendous opportunity for AmEx to grow, but what about small business? What about all those “Shine a Light” brick and mortars that have been so highly touted in the recent AmEx/Universal advertising campaign? What about you and your business? [click here to continue…]
It takes a lot to get me wound up about an ad, but this one certainly hits the mark. If you haven’t seen the now famous 2003 Honda Cog spot, take a peek at this two minute video using Accord parts to tell the story. Brilliant.
According to Snopes.com (who just loves to unravel hoaxes), the film work is legit. No CGI other than one minute in, when two 1-minute segments were stitched together to form the full piece. Various sources explain it as either (a) being necessary due to the sheer linear space required to pull this off, or (b) damage control to avoid an end-of-sequence hiccup trashing the entire two-minute take. Either way, they were justified.
To read up on the full backstory, check out this article in the Guardian.
If you’re at High Point for market today, hope you’ll pop in to my keynote session about The 3/50 Project. Everyone counts, after all!
High Point Fall Market Title: The 3/50 Project…Building Business From the Ground Up Date: Monday, October 19, 2009 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: The Suites at Market Square
Room G-105 (first floor) Host: High Point Market Authority Tickets: Space is limited; must be a badged market attendee
Now…let’s go get a few folks lit up about changing the game, shall we?
You know how you can be really excited for someone who’s trying a new concept…then feel your stomach sink when their endeavor knocks someone or something else down in the process? Sadly, a fellow retail consultant who shall remain nameless presented a marathon live stream session yesterday for anyone interested in watching. While I commend he and his wife for their stamina and good intentions, his belittling comments about the value of Buy Local programs not only knocked the wind out of me, but begged the question:
According to various sources, more than 112 million blogs existed as of May 2008. Since then, it’s been nearly impossible to find a single reputable source willing to update that count. Truth be told, I think everyone’s simply tired of counting (figuratively, not literally).
Many bloggers review products and services-—some honest, some wildly entertaining, some obvious sunshine blowers happy to get free goodies.
This past year, there have been many cyberspace conversations about the honesty factor behind such online missives, which, personally, I’m happy to see. [click here to continue…]
Yes, times are tough. And yes, a lot of businesses are up against a wall financially. And yes, there are a lot of vendors getting “declines” when they run credit cards for ready-to-ship orders. But wait a minute…. How did retailers get themselves into this dysfunctional “pay up front” system, eradicating N30 terms, erasing any possibility of pulling revenue out of the product before the bills are due?
From tonight’s CBS Evening News:
From an interview with AmEx CEO, Kenneth Chenault, in the current issue of Fortune Magazine:
According to various sources, more than 112 million blogs existed as of May 2008. Since then, it’s been nearly impossible to find a single reputable source willing to update that count. Truth be told, I think everyone’s simply tired of counting (figuratively, not literally).
