Deliver Better Customer Service by Having Fun By Barbara Wold One of the biggest reasons customers do not return is they have no reason to. Sure they might get what they want but they often get it with “no” personality, “no” sparkle and “no” sizzle. Their experience is a dud. There is nothing memorable about the experience. Are you leaving the fun and playful part of your personality at the front door each day? For many, work is a place to be serious -- fun happens on vacation and away from work. We need to accept fun as another element of the workplace. Companies that enjoy tremendous customer loyalty offer their customers something they can’t get anywhere else -- FUN. They provide an unexpected, positive experience. The employees enjoy their work, each other and their customers. They find ways to bring fun and joy into their work and they bring their customers along for the ride. Have Fun at Work • Fun increases productivity. Research shows that coworkers who learn how to have fun together increase productivity and performance by welcoming spontaneity. People learn when they are having fun. They will take work seriously, but lighten up on life. • Laughing reduces stress. Laughter is a natural stress buster and fun is meant to be part of your life. Learn how to comfortably blend work and fun. • Acting silly requires maturity. When you think of great leaders, they all had a great sense of humor. A person who can do a serious job and not take themselves too seriously is very mature. • Fun is a "natural social glue." Groups that can have fun together are more relaxed, interact better and are more comfortable with each other when problems need to be worked out. • Having fun gets the job done. Fun is not the reward, it's the lubricant that gets things done easily and effectively. Make fun a regular part of your daily routine. • Have fun with your customers. Your customers will have fun shopping with you and will return more often. Notice that all the new and successful retail concepts are centered around interaction and fun. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold International Speaker, Author and Business Strategist <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold's Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com. Deliver Better Customer Service by Having Fun By Barbara Wold One of the biggest reasons customers do not return is they have no reason to. Sure they might get what they want but they often get it with “no” personality, “no” sparkle and “no” sizzle. Their experience is a dud. There is nothing memorable about the experience. Are you leaving the fun and playful part of your personality at the front door each day? For many, work is a place to be serious -- fun happens on vacation and away from work. We need to accept fun as another element of the workplace. Companies that enjoy tremendous customer loyalty offer their customers something they can’t get anywhere else -- FUN. They provide an unexpected, positive experience. The employees enjoy their work, each other and their customers. They find ways to bring fun and joy into their work and they bring their customers along for the ride. Have Fun at Work • Fun increases productivity. Research shows that coworkers who learn how to have fun together increase productivity and performance by welcoming spontaneity. People learn when they are having fun. They will take work seriously, but lighten up on life. • Laughing reduces stress. Laughter is a natural stress buster and fun is meant to be part of your life. Learn how to comfortably blend work and fun. • Acting silly requires maturity. When you think of great leaders, they all had a great sense of humor. A person who can do a serious job and not take themselves too seriously is very mature. • Fun is a "natural social glue." Groups that can have fun together are more relaxed, interact better and are more comfortable with each other when problems need to be worked out. • Having fun gets the job done. Fun is not the reward, it's the lubricant that gets things done easily and effectively. Make fun a regular part of your daily routine. • Have fun with your customers. Your customers will have fun shopping with you and will return more often. Notice that all the new and successful retail concepts are centered around interaction and fun. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold International Speaker, Author and Business Strategist <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold's Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

Ideas to Use When Delegating

Delegating responsibility in any size operation is key to avoiding burnout and accomplishing a greater variety of tasks. Many owners find this the hardest part of working with employees. Is it always just easier to do it yourself? No, many times employees may have great new approaches to old established patterns. Something as simple as deciding what the mannequins should be dressed in can be a great “everyone involved” event. The sales staff who work with customers on a regular basis have the best insight on requested colors and styles. Have you asked them what vests and ties they would choose given the opportunity? Multiple employees could each give their opinion, and rotate the options to keep things fresh. Whatever the task, follow a few simple guidelines and watch for those who embrace the challenge of a new task. • Pick people who can accept responsibility. This means surround yourself with the best people • Try to match the person to the task. Try to delegate assignments that will capitalize on the persons talents • Remember that the person performing the task may not do it as well as you would do it. DON’T be tempted to take over the project! Weigh the time you might lose at first against the time you will save in the long run. • Build the person’s confidence by assigning low-risk assignments at first. • Let delegates put their own spin on the assignment. Their way may be better. Be sure to listen to their ideas. • When communicating the assignment, use a vocabulary that’s easily understood. A good idea is to make quick notes on larger jobs or when going over the task ask for their assurance of understanding what you are asking of them. • Keep tabs on what you delegate. If the person hasn’t checked with you as the deadline approaches, inquire on their progress. • Give a specific due date and an explanation on how this project relates to others that come along. Many store promotion ideas and changes have come about due to employee input. Take advantage of the opportunity that already passes through your business each day! Sometimes it is easier to do it yourself, but is it always better??? Delegating responsibility in any size operation is key to avoiding burnout and accomplishing a greater variety of tasks. Many owners find this the hardest part of working with employees. Is it always just easier to do it yourself? No, many times employees may have great new approaches to old established patterns. Something as simple as deciding what the mannequins should be dressed in can be a great “everyone involved” event. The sales staff who work with customers on a regular basis have the best insight on requested colors and styles. Have you asked them what vests and ties they would choose given the opportunity? Multiple employees could each give their opinion, and rotate the options to keep things fresh. Whatever the task, follow a few simple guidelines and watch for those who embrace the challenge of a new task. • Pick people who can accept responsibility. This means surround yourself with the best people • Try to match the person to the task. Try to delegate assignments that will capitalize on the persons talents • Remember that the person performing the task may not do it as well as you would do it. DON’T be tempted to take over the project! Weigh the time you might lose at first against the time you will save in the long run. • Build the person’s confidence by assigning low-risk assignments at first. • Let delegates put their own spin on the assignment. Their way may be better. Be sure to listen to their ideas. • When communicating the assignment, use a vocabulary that’s easily understood. A good idea is to make quick notes on larger jobs or when going over the task ask for their assurance of understanding what you are asking of them. • Keep tabs on what you delegate. If the person hasn’t checked with you as the deadline approaches, inquire on their progress. • Give a specific due date and an explanation on how this project relates to others that come along. Many store promotion ideas and changes have come about due to employee input. Take advantage of the opportunity that already passes through your business each day! Sometimes it is easier to do it yourself, but is it always better???

Industry News

Men’s Wearhouse Post’s 5.3 M in First Quarter Profits As reported in WWD by Arnold Karr Men’s Wearhouse posted late last Monday lower first-quarter earnings that came in well in excess of analysts’ estimates and used the opportunity to show off improvements in its balance sheet as the retailer gets closer to a takeover of bankrupt Filene’s Basement. The company projected earnings of 56 to 60 cents a diluted share in the second quarter with a 4 to 6 percent decline in its apparel business and a corresponding increase of 3 to 5% in tuxedo rentals. Filene’s basement is well known for its bargains on everything from fashions to luggage, but perhaps is best known for their now world famous bridal gown event where brides can save 100’s even thousands on designer wedding gowns. The company lists 25 locations on their current website. Is this proposed purchase one more way to get to that frenzied bride before anyone else does?? Men’s Wearhouse Post’s 5.3 M in First Quarter Profits As reported in WWD by Arnold Karr Men’s Wearhouse posted late last Monday lower first-quarter earnings that came in well in excess of analysts’ estimates and used the opportunity to show off improvements in its balance sheet as the retailer gets closer to a takeover of bankrupt Filene’s Basement. The company projected earnings of 56 to 60 cents a diluted share in the second quarter with a 4 to 6 percent decline in its apparel business and a corresponding increase of 3 to 5% in tuxedo rentals. Filene’s basement is well known for its bargains on everything from fashions to luggage, but perhaps is best known for their now world famous bridal gown event where brides can save 100’s even thousands on designer wedding gowns. The company lists 25 locations on their current website. Is this proposed purchase one more way to get to that frenzied bride before anyone else does??

Wants and Offerings

NEED-- 54R 54L BLK DIAMOND TUX BY FWI SELLING-- IVY ECKO PANTS NEW SIZE 34 Sal Saputo New Orleans, LA 504-340-4544 NEED-- 54R 54L BLK DIAMOND TUX BY FWI SELLING-- IVY ECKO PANTS NEW SIZE 34 Sal Saputo New Orleans, LA 504-340-4544

Thoughts for the Week

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself the most comforting words of all: “This too, shall pass.” Ann Landers “The starting point of all achievements is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results. Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.” Napoleon Hill Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself the most comforting words of all: “This too, shall pass.” Ann Landers “The starting point of all achievements is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results. Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.” Napoleon Hill

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The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of his content. The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of his content.

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