Location, Location, Location
It’s been so warm this fall in Del Boca Vista (Phase III) that the Christmas candy has started to melt at the local Walmart.
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Author: Gordon Hecht
Giving Thanks
You probably heard that the Thanksgiving holiday is being celebrated in the U.S. this week.
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Better or Worse?
Back in the days when I worked as a delivery helper, I had darned good vision. Drivers liked having me ride shotgun since I could read street signs two blocks away.
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You CAN Judge a Book by its Cover
We’ve all heard it before, from grade school on up: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
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Selling Home Goods Isn’t Rocket Science
Given the many customer uncertainties, selling can be more difficult than rocket science.
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The Readers Always Write
Few things are more satisfying to writers than comments about the words we write. You, my audience, have been generous in feedback over the years.
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The Front Lines of Home Goods
I’ve spent most of the last 51 years in and around the home furnishings industry. I’ve met amazing and incredible people that are dedicated to improving the lives and environments of the customers they serve.
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Old School Sales Tips for Q4
Summer is still hanging on in our little Florida town. It was so hot the other week in La Boca Vista (Phase III) that the Christmas candy was melting at the local Wally World store.
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With a Cherry on Top
When I was a schoolkid, “Pretty please, with a cherry on top” made any ask a little sweeter. But it’s pretty much gone today.
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News You Can Use
It’s getting more difficult these days to tell if news stories are coming from The Wall Street Journal, your local Picayune or the National Enquirer
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Wanna Keep a Customer for Life?
Friends and readers often ask me, “Isn’t exhausting to travel weekly for business?” I usually tell them it’s one of my favorite parts of the job. I get to see cities and towns and tiny burgs. Nothing beats meeting people where they live.
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The Pale Hose Paradox
While America’s Favorite Pastime may be third and long, our national pastime remains the great game of baseball.
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The Outage that Ate the World
Prepare your business in advance for any unforeseen circumstances that could cripple operations.
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Retailers’ Seven Deadly Sins, Part II
Last week I cited four of the Seven Deadly Sins of Retail, any of which can lead to missed opportunities for growth, profit and comfort.
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The Seven Deadly Sins of Retail
The retail business may seem simple and easy to your shoppers, neighbors and even some of your employees, but those of us with long-term involvement know it’s hard!
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Reach Out and Touch Someone
Restaurants have regular diners. Airlines have frequent fliers. Jimmy Buffett had his Parrot Heads. And of course Taylor has her Swifties.
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Odds’n Ends
A string of several unrelated topics can be quite impactful. Back in 1971 Norwegian sound engineer Eirik Wangberg connected several short unfinished songs. In an era of three-minute tunes, Wangberg produced a 4 ¾-minute medley that shot to No. 1 on the U.S. charts. The song still plays on radios today.
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The Rockets’ Red Glare
Today the holiday has more to do with shoppers signing the bottom of a sales order than John Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence.
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