Heavenly Beds at the Westin Hotel
Brilliant differentiation in a crushingly homogenous market.
When I used to use hotels, they all seemed the same to me.
Now that I don’t use them, they seem even less differentiated.
Except for one, that has penetrated my oblivion.
The Westin.
Bed Written
I first heard of the Westin years ago. Someone told me I HAD to stay there [...]
Maybe the problem with business is you
Today we welcome back Malcolm Owens to Small Business Owner. Following some recent experiences and observations Malcolm is keen to share his insights with you and get your thoughts. Welcome back Malcolm.
Please do not complain to me about a tight market, poor sales, dwindling store traffic and reducing profits when the biggest problem in your [...]
Two-Speed Shuffle
How do YOU feel today?
Research released last week^ suggests our economy has stalled.
Other commentators say it’s running at two speeds.
My client portfolio is definitely doing the latter: half have gone from sluggish to flat out like two lizards drinking.
How about yours?
Economy
Mining’s up. Retail’s down. Employment is mixed and shares are all over the joint.
For [...]
Apocalypse?
A new grocery store opened in my area recently.
I didn’t think much of this event, until I viewed it from a small business perspective.
The arrival has changed my spending habits dramatically. If my neighbours follow suit, there will be blood.
New Kid on the Block
Here we are in front of the shiny new store.
It’s big, bright, [...]
The You-Beaut Double-Or-Nothing Deal!!!
Take a chance, Honey!
I was once part of an ad agency’s National Creative Centre of Excellence.
During a flat patch, I devised a brilliant promotion to drum up business.
It didn’t work. But by golly it was brilliant.
I table it here, in case you’re the deutronium to my Jupiter 2.
Given the right mix, this tactic could enrich [...]
Fair’s fare?
Today we welcome back Sonia Cuff, owner of a Computer Troubleshooters franchise based in sunny Queensland. Sonia is passionate about helping small business owners around the world with the right technology advice and support. Today Sonia shares an experience with customer credits. Maybe you have some insights to share. Naomi
In March of this year I [...]
Up. Up. And Away!
Upselling is a double-edged sword.
Used well, it loosens purse strings for mutual benefit.
Done badly, it’s a cut-throat affair.
So how to handle this tricky tool?
The Ugly
Many customers do NOT want fries with ANY thing.
I used to start burger orders with: ‘I don’t want fries or a drink, please. What I would like is …’
Now I just [...]
Happy Ending
Winners are grinners!
[Click here for Part 1 of this gripping saga.]
On Sunday, my new-car quest finally met success.
And yielded more interesting lessons to boot (nyuk nyuk).
Here, then, is a jovial bookend to last week’s dismal missive.
Cold Call
I was pondering whether roller blading could work for me when the phone rang.
It was [...]
Auto Destruct
I tried to find a brick wall.
This was the best I could do.
Every so often, the real world slaps you so hard, you lose the breath to cry out.
Enter new car salesmen.
New for Old
The ‘new’, I learnt this week, applies only to cars – not salesmen.
In the decade since [...]
The Bigger Issues
The Big Issue is a fabulous way for homeless and marginalised people to improve their health, well-being, social connection and self-worth.
This sterling initiative also offers valuable sales lessons to business people.
Two Cities
I live in a schizophrenic area.
Hip Street teems with bright, well-heeled young things in groovy restaurants.
Just a few blocks away, Mean Street is haunted [...]
