Hub You - Business

Essential Startup Business Questions... Failing To Plan is Planning to Fail
It is well known that approximately 97% of all startup businesses fail within the first three years. Many of these businesses were well intended but lacked the essentials for getting started. A number of the costly mistakes and disastrous failures could have been avoided if the owners had taken time to address three necessary components vital to a young businesses success – detailed planning, common sense, and current information.If you have made it past the dream stage it is time to plan your action. Initially several things should be considered to establish the direction of your business.<

with a smile!

When I realized what was happening, I snapped out of my admiration of their smoother-than-oil persuasive sales system and exerted my ‘husband’ authority! I said “Dear, do you want to see the other shops…? It’s almost dinner time, you know.”

Did Olivia buy more than she thought she would from the shop? Yes. Did the other customers buy more than they expected there? Yes Did they feel good about buying? Yes

Amazing! Here’s the essence of their persuasive power: They treat and serve the customers so luxuriously, and always with a smile so that all the customers felt fantastic! They consciously or unconsciously induced a state of happiness in their customers. And the customers unconsciously linked that feeling to the clothing they were trying on. They ended up buying

Business Fit
I have been an entrepreneur for over twenty years and have absolutely embraced information that would help maintain a well managed and profitable business. We have been a part of the information era for sometime now. As business owners, we have access to more information than ever in this generation of technology. But how can we use this technology to aid our business?Today's business environment creates both opportunities and challenges. Powerful technology, including the internet, provides access to global markets and increases your potential for incredible gains. However, managing the technol

At the last Great Singapore Sale, my wife, Olivia, decided to go on a shopping spree. She said she needed to “upgrade” her wardrobe. Haven’t we guys heard of that one before?

Anyways, I accompanied her through her increasingly long journey, making strategic comments such as “Uh Hum”, “Turn around”, “That one is better” and occasionally “Wow! Sexy! Get this one!”

What amazed me was her ability to shut out all the other surrounding activities and just focus on what she was doing (quest of upgrading wardrobe). You can imagine the bustling activities surrounding us, in a shopping centre, on a Great Singapore Sale weekend! While I was “doing my best” with my “Uh Hum’s and “Turn round’s”, I subconsciously sensed something interesting happening. It took me almost a second before realizing it.

The boutique shop we were in was so packed with customers, while the shops on either sides of it were almost empty! The marketer inside of me stood up and took notice.

The shop we were in had three shop assistants, all extremely busy helping customers. All five fitting rooms were full. More and more onlookers were coming into the shop to shop!

In contrast, the two other shops only had the occasional shopper walking in. They had only one or two assistants who were sitting at one corner, chatting. When they approach the shoppers, the shoppers left. Interesting!

I decided to analyze the situation closer while still doing my “Uh Hum’s”. There is persuasion in action! And my wife was one of the player…

Here’s a list of ‘tactic’ the assistants used to create that magical sales phenomenon:

- The assistants addressed every female as a “Ms” (no matter how young or old the customers were) and with a bright a cheerful smile on their face, making the customer feel good the moment they walked in.

- All the assistants wore the clothes from the shop. They dressed appropriately according to their body shape and in a similar fashion. In short, they all looked presentable and rather attractive.

- They acted as consultants and fashion helpers: They went “Hmm… Ms, with your frame I would recommend this top with this pair of pants.”

- Whenever a customer was trying out a piece of clothing they would ask them to step out of the fitting room and adjust the dress/skirt/pants, etc, for them so it fell ever so beautifully on the figure.

- They constantly brought the customers more clothing to try on. “This will look great with that you know. Just try it on.”, “How about this one?” as they threw other sizes/colors of the recommended clothing over the fitting room door. They were constantly up-selling.

- They constantly assumed the customer will buy whatever they recommend. At the same time, they were never pushy or employing hard-selling techniques. Whenever their suggestions were rejected, they responded with lightning speed: “Oh you like the other one better?” or “How about this one?”

- I even heard one customer who was there before we came in comment:

“I’m tired of trying more clothes.” And her assistant responded without missing a beat: “Just this last one. I think it will look great on you!” And the customer gave in, with a smile!

Did Olivia buy more than she thought she would from the shop? Yes. Did the other customers buy more than they expected there? Yes Did they feel good about buying? Yes

Managing Elder Subordinates: 5 Ice Tips
My subordinates are very experienced and older than me. How do I control them? Ramesh asked me. He was just 26 and working in a managerial position in a multinational company.Ramesh's problem is not isolated. Many times, young managers feel unhappy and embarrassed by elder subordinates. This results in total dissatisfaction of the employee and also bad work atmosphere. But you can avoid this by following the five principles given below.1. Be soft but firm.Elders often get irritated by a harsh tone from a young manager. But you can be conveying the same feelings in a calm cool voice

g it.