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Makeover? Now! |
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It's spring, in more ways than one. The recovery has started. I see it everywhere I go and in everything I read. It's tentative. It's fragile. But it's there, and it's going to gain momentum from here.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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Price vs. Value |
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As we enter the New Year, I'm thinking back on all the conversations I've had this year with manufacturers and retailers about the things that caused them the most lost sleep last year.
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Oh, What A Year! |
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Well, I'm finally ready to say what most of us have been waiting to hear all year ... It's almost over!
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Time to Get Back in the Game |
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As I write this column, two different news items have passed before me in the last 24 hours that lead me to believe things really are starting to turn for the better.
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Big Problems Equal Big Opportunities |
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They say that adversity creates big challenges, and big challenges create big ideas. Certainly in my experience in business, that is true. In fact, some of the best ideas I've ever seen were hatched during the most stressful of times.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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In the Eye of the Storm |
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As I write this in the early days of March, I almost feel our economy, and our industry, are in the eye of a hurricane. As you know, the early stages of a hurricane are usually followed by a calm period in the eye of the storm and then the inevitable slap of the backside of the storm.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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Do You Have a Systemic Failure in Your Business? |
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Well, for the last several columns, I have been giving hints and suggestions about how you can look at your business in a different way and get ready for uncertain times. I certainly didn't want to be the first to utter the dreaded "R" word - recession. However, I see by the newscasts and my morning papers now that some powerful brains at some universities and politicians have announced that we are, officially, in recession.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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A Blended Approach? |
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In case some of you missed it, there was a wonderful column in the August issue of Home Accents Today by Jenny Heinzen York. The subject was the decision by Moe's Home Collection to open retail stores. The editorial discussed this direct-to-consumer approach by a vendor, along with direct-to-consumer Web sites operated by vendors. She challenged the industry to answer the question as to whether these kinds of efforts are the wave of the future and how can independents compete with these efforts.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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Prepare Thyself |
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It's that time of year again when we all start getting very excited about attending summer shows. Anticipation, as always, is running high at the chance to see all the new creative products the vendors have found and to get ready for the fall season.
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Recession? Strategies to win either way |
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I will leave it to the economists, the CNBC guys and the politicians to continue waging the debate on whether we are in a recession, about to enter one or experiencing a false alarm. I certainly don't have the crystal ball to say either way. In fact, I wish I could feel comfort that they do! The real question is: How will your business continue to make money in any economy we face?
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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1st Annual State of the Industry Report |
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In this, our First Annual State of the Industry report, we have interviewed a variety of experts in various segments of the gift and specialty retailing industry: manufacturers rep group principals; Internet professionals; vendors; consultants; trade show producers, and others.
Read the article on the Giftware News website
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So, what's old? |
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What's new? Without a doubt, this is the No. 1 question on the lips of every person involved in this industry. Whether you are a manufacturer, sales rep or retailer, this is generally the way every conversation starts when two people in this industry meet anywhere in the world.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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Florists' Review |
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Specialty Retailing: What you need to know to survive in 2007.
Read the article on the Florists' Review website
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Business Memo - The power of focus |
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Do you remember when you were a kid in school? If you struggled (as I did), you probably remember when your teacher helped you, they would tell you that you needed to "focus" harder.
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Business Memo-- Are you a 'For Profit?' |
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Learn more about profitability, the internet and ideas for smaller retailers.
Read the article on the Home Accents Today website
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The Independents' Future |
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The Independents' Future; an Interview with Randy Eller by Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine.
Download
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Interview with Furniture Style Magazine |
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An interview from the February issue of Furniture Style Magazine about the future trends in the home furnishings market.
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