Times Change...So How About You?
Author: Michael Sansolo
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IGA Guest Perspective
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August 30, 2010
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Michael Sansolo is an industry consultant, author and frequent speaker at IGA events. Look to www.morningnewsbeat.com each Tuesday to read his insights on the industry.
Michael Sansolo is an industry consultant, author and frequent speaker at IGA events. Look to www.morningnewsbeat.com each Tuesday to read his insights on the industry. Each year, Beloit College, a private coed liberal arts college in Beloit, Wis., publishes a list of simple things that define today's college freshman. Not surprisingly, every year this list is an elightening view of just how different these kids actually are from most of us. Think about this for example: For today's 18-year-olds, the Internet, texting and 500-channels of cable television have always been the norm and Clint Eastwood has always made sensitive movies.
For an IGA Retailer, this march of time is more than a matter of curiosity. Like it or not, the world you operate in today is a far different place than it was five, 10 or 15 years ago. The competition is different, your business partners are different and your customers are totally different.
Now's the time to greet the fall and take on the new with your own checklist for success.
- Look around your store and ask whether everything looks up to date. If not, maybe it's time for some refreshing in the form of paint, fixtures or more. And check out your staff uniforms. You never wanted to wear last year's fashions in school and you don't want your staff looking out of date now.
- Take time for a sit down with key business partners-including your wholesaler-to make sure you are aligned on any key new business issues. You both win if you grow together.
- Check out your customers and find what's new. What new foods trends have their fancy; how are their lives different; and, of course, how can you help them cope with the current economic situation?
It's a new year after all.
Thanks,
Michael Sansolo
President, Sansolo Solutions
Contributing editor, morningnewsbeat.com
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