Ignoring Opportunities with Social Media

Can we really afford to ignore all of the “free” opportunities out there to expose your business to potential customers? Word of mouth referrals have always been one of our strongest tools to build our customer base. But word of mouth is changing it is very often no longer done face to face, but mostly through one of the many forms of social media. Social media has certainly become the most popular form of instant communication both good and bad! First, what is a social network? A social network is sites where you connect with other people. Myspace, Facebook, and twitter are all examples of a social network. A social network service focuses on building and reflecting a social network of people with like interests. Most social network services are web based and various ways for users to interact over the internet, such as email and instant messaging services. Second, what do I do and how do we get the word out we are using these forms of communication? We took advantage of an opportunity in the store where I work fulltime to have a young college student employee watch over our store Facebook page. She is a natural for this duty with these sites being second home for most college age kids. Everyday she posts a picture of a vest, or the result of our customer survey questions, or reminders about instore specials. Simple one line reminders of what we do and how we do it. Many times these young employees have hundreds of friends all in the target age range for future customers. The friends have friends, and so on from there until you have literally thousands of people getting daily reminders of what you do in your business. Third, Isn’t the store website enough? No, not in this day and age of instant gratification! The constant changes, updates and reminders are too much to keep up with on your website alone. Linking facebook or other media to your website allows users to go into the website for complete style choices and full store details, but quick updated information on bridal shows and customer reviews can be on the facebook site. Still not sure why a small business should be on Social Networks? Here are a few reasons: 1. To create marketing buzz by posting and blogging business information and updates. 2. To communicate with customers in the fastest way possible. 3. To create a person-to-person relationship between business and customers. 4. To monitor customer conversations and “what’s being said” about one’s company, and company competitors. If all of this still sounds overwhelming, talk to a few of your young employees and start asking them to show you what it is all about. For a small investment of time you can have a visible presence among your target audience daily. Tell us how it is working for you editor@formaltimes.com or look for myself or other formalwear friends on Facebook: Rebecca McManus Can we really afford to ignore all of the “free” opportunities out there to expose your business to potential customers? Word of mouth referrals have always been one of our strongest tools to build our customer base. But word of mouth is changing it is very often no longer done face to face, but mostly through one of the many forms of social media. Social media has certainly become the most popular form of instant communication both good and bad! First, what is a social network? A social network is sites where you connect with other people. Myspace, Facebook, and twitter are all examples of a social network. A social network service focuses on building and reflecting a social network of people with like interests. Most social network services are web based and various ways for users to interact over the internet, such as email and instant messaging services. Second, what do I do and how do we get the word out we are using these forms of communication? We took advantage of an opportunity in the store where I work fulltime to have a young college student employee watch over our store Facebook page. She is a natural for this duty with these sites being second home for most college age kids. Everyday she posts a picture of a vest, or the result of our customer survey questions, or reminders about instore specials. Simple one line reminders of what we do and how we do it. Many times these young employees have hundreds of friends all in the target age range for future customers. The friends have friends, and so on from there until you have literally thousands of people getting daily reminders of what you do in your business. Third, Isn’t the store website enough? No, not in this day and age of instant gratification! The constant changes, updates and reminders are too much to keep up with on your website alone. Linking facebook or other media to your website allows users to go into the website for complete style choices and full store details, but quick updated information on bridal shows and customer reviews can be on the facebook site. Still not sure why a small business should be on Social Networks? Here are a few reasons: 1. To create marketing buzz by posting and blogging business information and updates. 2. To communicate with customers in the fastest way possible. 3. To create a person-to-person relationship between business and customers. 4. To monitor customer conversations and “what’s being said” about one’s company, and company competitors. If all of this still sounds overwhelming, talk to a few of your young employees and start asking them to show you what it is all about. For a small investment of time you can have a visible presence among your target audience daily. Tell us how it is working for you editor@formaltimes.com or look for myself or other formalwear friends on Facebook: Rebecca McManus

The Ten Commandments of Customer Service

By Barbara Wold 1. Know who is boss. You are in business to service customer needs, and you can only do that if you know what your customers want. 2. Be a good listener. Take the time to identify customer needs by asking questions and concentrating on what the customer is really saying. Do you know what three things are most important to your customer? 3. Identify and anticipate needs. Customers don't buy products or services. They buy good feelings and solutions to problems. Most customer needs are emotional rather than logical. 4. Make customers feel important and appreciated. Treat them as individuals. Always use their name and find ways to compliment them, but be sincere. People value sincerity -- be sure that your body language also conveys sincerity. 5. Help customers understand your organization. Your organization may have the world's best systems for getting things done -- be careful that your systems don't reduce the human element of your organization. 6. Appreciate the power of "Yes". Always look for ways to help your customers. 7. Know how to apologize. When something goes wrong, apologize. It's easy and customers like it. The customer may not always be right, but the customer must always win. 8. Give more than expected. Since the future of all companies lies in keeping customers happy, think of ways to elevate yourself above the competition. Consider the following: • What can you give customers that they cannot get elsewhere? • What can you give customers that is totally unexpected? • What can you do to follow-up and thank people even when they don't buy? 9. Get regular feedback. Encourage and welcome suggestions about how you could improve. • Listen carefully to what they say. • Use a Focus Group to gain customer feedback and new ideas. • Provide a method that invites constructive criticism, comments and suggestions. 10. Treat employees well. Employees are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treating customers and employees well is equally important. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "My advice is find a niche and then become the best there is in that field." Darla Moore, President of the private investment firm Rainwater Inc. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold bwold@ix.netcom.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold is a street-smart, down-to-earth business speaker, presenting topics from sales and marketing to customer service and tourism. Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold's Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com. By Barbara Wold 1. Know who is boss. You are in business to service customer needs, and you can only do that if you know what your customers want. 2. Be a good listener. Take the time to identify customer needs by asking questions and concentrating on what the customer is really saying. Do you know what three things are most important to your customer? 3. Identify and anticipate needs. Customers don't buy products or services. They buy good feelings and solutions to problems. Most customer needs are emotional rather than logical. 4. Make customers feel important and appreciated. Treat them as individuals. Always use their name and find ways to compliment them, but be sincere. People value sincerity -- be sure that your body language also conveys sincerity. 5. Help customers understand your organization. Your organization may have the world's best systems for getting things done -- be careful that your systems don't reduce the human element of your organization. 6. Appreciate the power of "Yes". Always look for ways to help your customers. 7. Know how to apologize. When something goes wrong, apologize. It's easy and customers like it. The customer may not always be right, but the customer must always win. 8. Give more than expected. Since the future of all companies lies in keeping customers happy, think of ways to elevate yourself above the competition. Consider the following: • What can you give customers that they cannot get elsewhere? • What can you give customers that is totally unexpected? • What can you do to follow-up and thank people even when they don't buy? 9. Get regular feedback. Encourage and welcome suggestions about how you could improve. • Listen carefully to what they say. • Use a Focus Group to gain customer feedback and new ideas. • Provide a method that invites constructive criticism, comments and suggestions. 10. Treat employees well. Employees are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treating customers and employees well is equally important. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "My advice is find a niche and then become the best there is in that field." Darla Moore, President of the private investment firm Rainwater Inc. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold bwold@ix.netcom.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Barbara Wold is a street-smart, down-to-earth business speaker, presenting topics from sales and marketing to customer service and tourism. Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold's Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.

Wants and Offerings

Offered for Sale 265 pair of slightly rented Doc Marten Formal Shoes in a wide scale. Good condition! Great price! Buy as lot. Contact Dan Powers @ dpowers@duboisfw.com DuBois Formalwear (920) 437-9231 Here's what I’m looking to Buy: Platinum Formalwear Memories Suit Pant--their style #9AP-black with white/grey pinstripe. Could use several coat sizes in same style also. Looking to balance inventory. Call Patrick at J. Patrick's Formal Wear 402-563-3416 or email patrick@jpatricks.com Offered For Sale: LW Flat Front Trousers for sale, sizes from boys 18 to men’s 70 waist, 300 pair available for $10 each. Contact Tim Bakken at the number below or email me for more information. tbakken@savviminnesota.com   8609 Xylon Ct. N. - Suite 103 Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 (P) 763-315-1820 (F) 763-315-1825 Looking To Buy Tuxedos full-dress black, and cutaway in black and charcoal color. I am looking to buy new or used in good shape. Other tuxedo style that I am looking for is the Infusion by Jean Yves Thanks for your help Peter Reyes Adonis Tuxedos adonistuxedos@imperioreal.com Offered for Sale: Ducky’s Formal Wear Moline offers for sale Chaps 2 Btn Peak Essex 54 coats size Boys 4 to 52 Long and 40-46 XL Take all at $10 each Black AVALON 22 coats in great shape Take all at $25 a piece Also Claiborne Citiscapes 3 Button Notch 82 coats sizes 4-62 $10 each if take all. Call for exact scales 309-797-9889 Offered For Sale: Citilights vest w/ bow and 4-hand. Wide range of sizes full back Small-2xl and FA boys and cadets.16 colors approx 400. $4.00 each or best offer. Call Danette at Tuxedo Gallery 509-455 5551. Wanted to Buy: Merlo Formal Rentals and Sales is looking to buy: I’m looking to buy some Lord West Crown Collection Subtle Stripe pants in good condition. Rick Merlo Merlo Formal Rentals and Sales rcmerlo@merloformals.com   Offered For Sale: Class Act Tuxedo & Bridal offers for sale: I have available New White Tail Coats (Notch). Call for size range and price. Sal Class Act Tuxedo & Bridal 26459 Ynez Rd Temecula, Ca (951) 296-5885 Looking to buy: • “Starwood” by Ralph Lauren - coat and pants • “Concord” By Calvin Klein - coat and pants Looking to sell: • Black FUBU Shadow Stripe 4B coats • Black “X.S.” coats by After Six • Black 4B “Luna” by Andrew Fezza • Black “Southbridge” by Perry Ellis • Black “Crossroads” 4B by Chaps RL • Black 4B Notch by After Six • Black “Eiffel” 3B by Andrew Fezza • Freedom FB Vest Collection (17 colors w/ long ties) • Herringbone FB Vest Collection (20 colors w/ long ties) • White “LaVida” 4B by After Six Cash or trade. Email me for quantities and pricing Bryon Hanawalt Tom’s Formalwear bryon@tomsformalwear.com   (405) 681-0309 office (405) 681-0365 fax Offered For Sale by Trish’s Formal Affair Oscar de la Renta Contour I 2Btn Coats All in Very Good Condition $25 a Coat or $20 each to take all! $15 backless vest with bow tie (if avail) $10 each set to take all! "Freedom" "Citi Lites" "Versailles" "Sunsets"(All Backless) various colors. Call for complete scales and further information: 985-543-0043 Ask for Trish Thank You So Much! Wanted to Buy: Elly's Formal Wear, Kihei, Maui, HI PERRY ELLIS AMERICA CHAMPAGNE TUXEDO!! We are in need of any and all sizes (both mens and boys) of the Perry Ellis America 2 button Notch Champagne Tuxedo. With matching pants and if possible, the tan Perry Ellis square toe shoes. We'd prefer in good condition and no damages. Please email info@ellysformalwear.com or terri@ellysformalwear.com if you have these items. Thank you! For Sale: Elly's Formal Wear in Kihei, Maui, HI We are looking to down size our inventory styles. We have the OSCAR DE LA RENTA RENAISSANCE I black 2 button Notch tuxedo coats available. We also have the AFTER SIX 4 BUTTON NOTCH black tuxedo coats. Please email for inventory sheets or sizes. Special wholesale rates and discounts if you buy all. Email info@ellysformalwear.com or terri@ellysformalwear.com  Thank you! For Sale Tuxedos By Lee Style # if coats Price Condition Black mandarin waist 30 coats $400 Good Black Claiborne citiscape 37” 3 button 45 coats $900 Good White Claiborne Notch 3 button 50 coats $400 Poor White Claiborne Notch 5 button 65 coats $900 Good White Claiborne Notch 36” 5 button 45 coats $600 Ok White Lord West Notch Tail 30 coats $600 OK White pants to match above coats 40 pants $400 OK All above whites are c-itoh material Have some colors available in the Raffinati shirts. Call for price. Buyer pays for shipping. Questions or to order contact Lee at Tuxedos by Lee tuxbylee@comcast.net or 801.916.3077 Bunny Tuxedo offers For Sale: Tuxedos & matching accessories: Black Double Breasted Jackets (shawl & notch) Silver Spirit Jackets, Tail coats, pants, cummerbunds and bow ties White Avante Shawl Double Breasted Jackets & Tail Coats White Toulon Jackets & Tail Coats White Shantung Dinner Jackets Vest and Tie collections: Celebrity Paisley full back vest, bow ties, and cravats in Black, White, Silver, Champagne, Sage, Heather, & Desert Blue Fusion full back vest and bow ties (these are the original Fusion vests with the square pattern, not solid like the current fusion styles) in Black, White, Silver, Asphalt , & Red Double take full back and backless vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White, Sunlight, Taupe, Red, Ocean Blue, Plum, & Hunter Phaze full back vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Gold, Burgundy, & Eggplant Silhouette high cut vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White (Silver), Gold, Hunter, Burgundy, Navy Renesance Paisley vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Red, Silver & Gold, Burgundy & Gold, Navy & Gold, Hunter & Gold, Purple & Gold Genesis Paisley low cut vests in Black, White, White w/ Black trim, Black & White, Charcoal, Kelly Green, Royal Blue, Azalea, Peach, Purple, & Teal All Styles can be viewed at http://www.bunnytuxedos.com/html/discontinued.html   Thanks, Stacey Nelson Bunny Tuxedos 3956 30th Street SW Grandville, MI 49418 (616) 538-1760 www.bunnytuxedos.com   customerservice@bunnytuxedos.com  Offered for Sale 265 pair of slightly rented Doc Marten Formal Shoes in a wide scale. Good condition! Great price! Buy as lot. Contact Dan Powers @ dpowers@duboisfw.com DuBois Formalwear (920) 437-9231 Here's what I’m looking to Buy: Platinum Formalwear Memories Suit Pant--their style #9AP-black with white/grey pinstripe. Could use several coat sizes in same style also. Looking to balance inventory. Call Patrick at J. Patrick's Formal Wear 402-563-3416 or email patrick@jpatricks.com Offered For Sale: LW Flat Front Trousers for sale, sizes from boys 18 to men’s 70 waist, 300 pair available for $10 each. Contact Tim Bakken at the number below or email me for more information. tbakken@savviminnesota.com   8609 Xylon Ct. N. - Suite 103 Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 (P) 763-315-1820 (F) 763-315-1825 Looking To Buy Tuxedos full-dress black, and cutaway in black and charcoal color. I am looking to buy new or used in good shape. Other tuxedo style that I am looking for is the Infusion by Jean Yves Thanks for your help Peter Reyes Adonis Tuxedos adonistuxedos@imperioreal.com Offered for Sale: Ducky’s Formal Wear Moline offers for sale Chaps 2 Btn Peak Essex 54 coats size Boys 4 to 52 Long and 40-46 XL Take all at $10 each Black AVALON 22 coats in great shape Take all at $25 a piece Also Claiborne Citiscapes 3 Button Notch 82 coats sizes 4-62 $10 each if take all. Call for exact scales 309-797-9889 Offered For Sale: Citilights vest w/ bow and 4-hand. Wide range of sizes full back Small-2xl and FA boys and cadets.16 colors approx 400. $4.00 each or best offer. Call Danette at Tuxedo Gallery 509-455 5551. Wanted to Buy: Merlo Formal Rentals and Sales is looking to buy: I’m looking to buy some Lord West Crown Collection Subtle Stripe pants in good condition. Rick Merlo Merlo Formal Rentals and Sales rcmerlo@merloformals.com   Offered For Sale: Class Act Tuxedo & Bridal offers for sale: I have available New White Tail Coats (Notch). Call for size range and price. Sal Class Act Tuxedo & Bridal 26459 Ynez Rd Temecula, Ca (951) 296-5885 Looking to buy: • “Starwood” by Ralph Lauren - coat and pants • “Concord” By Calvin Klein - coat and pants Looking to sell: • Black FUBU Shadow Stripe 4B coats • Black “X.S.” coats by After Six • Black 4B “Luna” by Andrew Fezza • Black “Southbridge” by Perry Ellis • Black “Crossroads” 4B by Chaps RL • Black 4B Notch by After Six • Black “Eiffel” 3B by Andrew Fezza • Freedom FB Vest Collection (17 colors w/ long ties) • Herringbone FB Vest Collection (20 colors w/ long ties) • White “LaVida” 4B by After Six Cash or trade. Email me for quantities and pricing Bryon Hanawalt Tom’s Formalwear bryon@tomsformalwear.com   (405) 681-0309 office (405) 681-0365 fax Offered For Sale by Trish’s Formal Affair Oscar de la Renta Contour I 2Btn Coats All in Very Good Condition $25 a Coat or $20 each to take all! $15 backless vest with bow tie (if avail) $10 each set to take all! "Freedom" "Citi Lites" "Versailles" "Sunsets"(All Backless) various colors. Call for complete scales and further information: 985-543-0043 Ask for Trish Thank You So Much! Wanted to Buy: Elly's Formal Wear, Kihei, Maui, HI PERRY ELLIS AMERICA CHAMPAGNE TUXEDO!! We are in need of any and all sizes (both mens and boys) of the Perry Ellis America 2 button Notch Champagne Tuxedo. With matching pants and if possible, the tan Perry Ellis square toe shoes. We'd prefer in good condition and no damages. Please email info@ellysformalwear.com or terri@ellysformalwear.com if you have these items. Thank you! For Sale: Elly's Formal Wear in Kihei, Maui, HI We are looking to down size our inventory styles. We have the OSCAR DE LA RENTA RENAISSANCE I black 2 button Notch tuxedo coats available. We also have the AFTER SIX 4 BUTTON NOTCH black tuxedo coats. Please email for inventory sheets or sizes. Special wholesale rates and discounts if you buy all. Email info@ellysformalwear.com or terri@ellysformalwear.com  Thank you! For Sale Tuxedos By Lee Style # if coats Price Condition Black mandarin waist 30 coats $400 Good Black Claiborne citiscape 37” 3 button 45 coats $900 Good White Claiborne Notch 3 button 50 coats $400 Poor White Claiborne Notch 5 button 65 coats $900 Good White Claiborne Notch 36” 5 button 45 coats $600 Ok White Lord West Notch Tail 30 coats $600 OK White pants to match above coats 40 pants $400 OK All above whites are c-itoh material Have some colors available in the Raffinati shirts. Call for price. Buyer pays for shipping. Questions or to order contact Lee at Tuxedos by Lee tuxbylee@comcast.net or 801.916.3077 Bunny Tuxedo offers For Sale: Tuxedos & matching accessories: Black Double Breasted Jackets (shawl & notch) Silver Spirit Jackets, Tail coats, pants, cummerbunds and bow ties White Avante Shawl Double Breasted Jackets & Tail Coats White Toulon Jackets & Tail Coats White Shantung Dinner Jackets Vest and Tie collections: Celebrity Paisley full back vest, bow ties, and cravats in Black, White, Silver, Champagne, Sage, Heather, & Desert Blue Fusion full back vest and bow ties (these are the original Fusion vests with the square pattern, not solid like the current fusion styles) in Black, White, Silver, Asphalt , & Red Double take full back and backless vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White, Sunlight, Taupe, Red, Ocean Blue, Plum, & Hunter Phaze full back vest and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Platinum, Gold, Burgundy, & Eggplant Silhouette high cut vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Black & White (Silver), Gold, Hunter, Burgundy, Navy Renesance Paisley vests and bow ties in Black, White, Ivory, Red, Silver & Gold, Burgundy & Gold, Navy & Gold, Hunter & Gold, Purple & Gold Genesis Paisley low cut vests in Black, White, White w/ Black trim, Black & White, Charcoal, Kelly Green, Royal Blue, Azalea, Peach, Purple, & Teal All Styles can be viewed at http://www.bunnytuxedos.com/html/discontinued.html   Thanks, Stacey Nelson Bunny Tuxedos 3956 30th Street SW Grandville, MI 49418 (616) 538-1760 www.bunnytuxedos.com   customerservice@bunnytuxedos.com

Thoughts for the Week

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~E.E. Cummings~ “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce~ “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~E.E. Cummings~ “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce~

Please direct all the questions to (309) 721-5450.

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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