By Bob Barry

Apply your greatest asset to solve your toughest problems. Give your people the problem and let them solve it.
Let’s say your key concern is not getting your tuxedos back into stock fast enough during the peak season. Give the problem to your winners – your people. One operator did give this problem to his people and this is what they came up with…
They decided to look at the total cycle. They know that to speed up the returns that they would have to look at the customer, the store operators, the delivery system and the receiving/cleaning department.
They first looked at the customer. What could we do to have the customer get the units back quickly after use? They decided to use a red flyer that was hung around every outgoing tuxedo. It read “Please return your tuxedo to this store by 12:00 p.m. the day following use. Thank you very much.”
The team then looked at the store operator. They decided to have every salesperson remind each customer at pick up to please return the tuxedo by 12:00noon the day after use. They also decided to track the percentage of units returned each week. This encourages support through awareness. The store personnel were also made aware of the fact that the faster the units were returned to the service center, the faster we could get them processed and back out to the stores. A real sense of team work developed.
The next move was to take a brand new look at their delivery system. How could they pick up the units quickly and efficiently? They re-designed their routes and reutilized their various sized vans and trucks to maximize the number of units returned earlier in the week.
They finished the process analysis by working with the receiving and cleaning department personnel to structure their layout, procedures and returns.
The team practiced breakthrough thinking by dividing the problem up into manageable modules, getting the people who could effect a change to help in the process and together they enjoyed breakthrough results.

Small Businesses Marketing with Text Messaging
Many large companies, such as Dunkin' Donuts and McDonalds, have deployed successful marketing campaigns using text messaging. But you do not have to be a multinational to take advantage of this very effective marketing strategy.
Text messaging is also referred to as SMS, or short message service. Cellular phones that are equipped to handle text messaging and instant messenger clients for computers can receive brief messages that contain information from friends, clients, and even businesses marketing their products.
Text messaging is gaining popularity as an advertising medium because it is relatively inexpensive and allows businesses to reach out to highly targeted consumers. Millions of people all over the world have the ability to receive text messages. Although the United States is somewhat behind in this trend, text messaging is quickly gaining ground in this country.
You can send instant coupons, promotional messages, and much more via text messages. When you write your copy for your text-message advertisement, you will need to keep it as brief as possible and get directly to your point.
Having the ability to instantly contact potential customers is the best benefit of this marketing strategy. In addition, text messaging is a personal way to reach out to potential customers.
The first step in launching a text-messaging campaign is finding a company to provide subscriber lists and deploy your ads. A search of the Internet advertising through text messages will provide you with many options. In much the same way as the student list companies.
Whether you plan on mounting a large text messaging campaign or whether you want to start small, there are plenty of different resources available for small businesses interested in this technology.

Thank you we Appreciate your Business!
As you train all of the new prom help, be sure to have them thank each and every customer for supporting them. The smiles and your welcome in return leave both the customer and the employee with a renewed good will.

Industry News
IFA member Dennis Schmidt of Milroy’s in Waterloo Iowa has opened a beautiful new store in his hometown. He has encouraging information to tell us about lease negotiations during tight economic times. Congratulations to Dennis and his staff, very impressive!

IFA Members
Starting 2009 With our “New Store Look” in our hometown of Waterloo, Iowa!
Outgrowing our plant (Downtown Warehouse Location) we decided to move to the strongest mall location and make more room in our plant. Heads up in today’s economy; negotiating new locations with mall may bring you more advantages then in prior years! Lower Rates, Little Cam, Shorter Mall Hours, Closed Holiday’s, No Extended Hours, Outside Signage, Free Advertising, Free Event Shows, and more. Everything that was negative is now positive! Not only have bookings increased dramatically, but we are also selling more in Suits & Tuxedos!
I thought a positive note from all the negative press today would be nice to see! 

Dennis Schmidt

Milroy's Tuxedos

Wants and Offerings
For Sale:

Black Cordova Shawl 6B DB (80) Coats $800.

White Champagne w/ Blk Piping DJ (70) Coats $900.

Fantasia Fullback Vests w/ Bow Ties by Mel howard
Black (40)
Gold (40)
Silver (45)
Candlelight (45)
Total for ALL $850.

Playboy Fullback Vests w/ Ties by Santana
Gold (25)
Silver (22)
Total for ALL $350.

Velvet Fullback Vests w/ Bow Ties by Elite
Black (25)
Burgundy (15)
Navy (15)
Emerald (15)
Total for ALL #350.

Vail Fullback Vests w/ Ties & Bows by Perry Ellis
Antique Gold (32)
Black (50)
Butter (60)
Celadon (36)
Cooper (28)
Desert Blue (32)
Ivory (30)
Lavender (42)
Lilac (30)
Powder Blue (55)
Pink (52)
Platinum (60)
Tangerine (40)
White (32)
Total for ALL $2500.

Call for prompt delivery

EZ Wiggins
Elegant Penguin
408-294-3355


For sale, FWI striped pants. Have 50 pairs size 28 to 43 Selling the lot for $500.00, most are new all excellent shape.
Gary Miller
Dawson Richards Tux Shop
1350b Jadwin Ave
Richland WA 99354
509 943 0652
fax 509 943 6199
drtuxshop@charter.net

Would you put these items for sale in your next Newsletter.

Black Claiborne Citiscape 37” 3 Button 45 Coats 900.00
Black D. B. Notch 55 Coats 700.00
Black D. B. Peak 40 Coats 500.00
Black D. B. Shawl 40 Coats 500.00
Black Mandarin Waist 30 Coats 400.00
White Claiborne Notch 32” 3 Button 55 Coats 700.00
White Claiborne Notch 32” 5 Button 65 Coats 1100.00
White Claiborne Notch 36” 5 Button 45 Coats 800.00
White Lord West Notch Tail 30 Coats 700.00
White C-itoh Pants to match above Coats 30 Pants 300.00

Raffinati Colored fold shirts:
Purple 62 shirts $119.00
Burgundy 40 shirts $89.00
Silver 200 shirts $399.00
Bronze 56 shirts $99.00
White 70 shirts $139.00
Black 100 shirts $279.00
Blue 52 shirts $99.00
Or take all colors for; $900.00

Buyer pays for shipping. If you have questions or to order contact Lee
at Tuxedos by Lee.
tuxbylee@comcast.net or call 801-916-3077

Thank you, Lee

For Sale
Black Gold Sienna Paisley Windsors
Original Price $9.95 each Asking $5.00 each

Black 48
Bali Lavender 24
Silver 30
Cornflower 24
Platinum 24
Celedon 30
Rivera Cafe 30
Candlelight 18
Petal Pink 24
Kiwi 24
Chocolate 24
Spice Red 30
Royal 24
White 18

Ascot LLC Nova Striped Shirts $7.00 each
Approximately

200 White
170 Ivory
130 Black

Thanks again!

Sam Carlson
Black Tie Formalwear
708-423-3530
Fax 708-423-3533
sam@blacktietuxes.com

Here's my list to sell at this time: hope that these will be good "meat" sizes for who can use them... Prices as below or BEST OFFER
Black ECKO I, coats, 38R, 40R, 40R, 46R, 42L..pants, (3) 34RA, (1)37RA...$300. for all only, please.
Black JAG Seven, coats..39R,40R,42R...$60 each or $150 for all.
Black Apollo 7-button coats...42R, 52R ..$95.each or $170. both
shipping is extra, call for the price to you.
We can take charges over the phone, or checks by mail, check needs to clear before we ship,
thanks,

Mary Gray, Ducky's Formalwear
Champaign, Ill, 61820
217-356-5822 fax 217-356-5049

I WISH TO SELL THE FOLLOWING. CALL ME FOR PRICES IF INTERESTED.

SHAWLS, PEAKS, PEAK TAILS, 4-B NOTCH, CALVIN KLEINS(FCGI), VERDI, 5-B GRANDS, CANNES, DAVINCI, AVANTI, APOLLO, JAGUAR, CITI EDGE, ECHOS, FUBU

WHITES AND IVORYS...VERDI, SHAWLS, CANNES, AVANTI, DAVINCI, APOLLO, ECKOS, FUBU

LOTS OF VEST PROGRAMS.

MY PRICES ....VERY CHEAP.

Ira Coleman
Colemans Tuxedos
649 Morris Twp
Springfield NJ 07081
1-973-568-5238
iratux@aol.com

Want to sell Columbia T. D. 2.55 MS 55LB Quick dry series 2002. Union Hydro Carbon Dry Cleaning Machine 60LB with still 2003. Unipress Rotary buck shirt unit 2003. Unipress Double buck vacum 2004. Misc. presses
Marty 716-994-1449
marty@martysformalwear.com

Thoughts for the Week Ahead

If you plan to give as you get then get with it!

"Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

By Bob Barry

Apply your greatest asset to solve your toughest problems. Give your people the problem and let them solve it.
Let’s say your key concern is not getting your tuxedos back into stock fast enough during the peak season. Give the problem to your winners – your people. One operator did give this problem to his people and this is what they came up with…
They decided to look at the total cycle. They know that to speed up the returns that they would have to look at the customer, the store operators, the delivery system and the receiving/cleaning department.
They first looked at the customer. What could we do to have the customer get the units back quickly after use? They decided to use a red flyer that was hung around every outgoing tuxedo. It read “Please return your tuxedo to this store by 12:00 p.m. the day following use. Thank you very much.”
The team then looked at the store operator. They decided to have every salesperson remind each customer at pick up to please return the tuxedo by 12:00noon the day after use. They also decided to track the percentage of units returned each week. This encourages support through awareness. The store personnel were also made aware of the fact that the faster the units were returned to the service center, the faster we could get them processed and back out to the stores. A real sense of team work developed.
The next move was to take a brand new look at their delivery system. How could they pick up the units quickly and efficiently? They re-designed their routes and reutilized their various sized vans and trucks to maximize the number of units returned earlier in the week.
They finished the process analysis by working with the receiving and cleaning department personnel to structure their layout, procedures and returns.
The team practiced breakthrough thinking by dividing the problem up into manageable modules, getting the people who could effect a change to help in the process and together they enjoyed breakthrough results.

Small Businesses Marketing with Text Messaging
Many large companies, such as Dunkin' Donuts and McDonalds, have deployed successful marketing campaigns using text messaging. But you do not have to be a multinational to take advantage of this very effective marketing strategy.
Text messaging is also referred to as SMS, or short message service. Cellular phones that are equipped to handle text messaging and instant messenger clients for computers can receive brief messages that contain information from friends, clients, and even businesses marketing their products.
Text messaging is gaining popularity as an advertising medium because it is relatively inexpensive and allows businesses to reach out to highly targeted consumers. Millions of people all over the world have the ability to receive text messages. Although the United States is somewhat behind in this trend, text messaging is quickly gaining ground in this country.
You can send instant coupons, promotional messages, and much more via text messages. When you write your copy for your text-message advertisement, you will need to keep it as brief as possible and get directly to your point.
Having the ability to instantly contact potential customers is the best benefit of this marketing strategy. In addition, text messaging is a personal way to reach out to potential customers.
The first step in launching a text-messaging campaign is finding a company to provide subscriber lists and deploy your ads. A search of the Internet advertising through text messages will provide you with many options. In much the same way as the student list companies.
Whether you plan on mounting a large text messaging campaign or whether you want to start small, there are plenty of different resources available for small businesses interested in this technology.

Thank you we Appreciate your Business!
As you train all of the new prom help, be sure to have them thank each and every customer for supporting them. The smiles and your welcome in return leave both the customer and the employee with a renewed good will.

Industry News
IFA member Dennis Schmidt of Milroy’s in Waterloo Iowa has opened a beautiful new store in his hometown. He has encouraging information to tell us about lease negotiations during tight economic times. Congratulations to Dennis and his staff, very impressive!

IFA Members
Starting 2009 With our “New Store Look” in our hometown of Waterloo, Iowa!
Outgrowing our plant (Downtown Warehouse Location) we decided to move to the strongest mall location and make more room in our plant. Heads up in today’s economy; negotiating new locations with mall may bring you more advantages then in prior years! Lower Rates, Little Cam, Shorter Mall Hours, Closed Holiday’s, No Extended Hours, Outside Signage, Free Advertising, Free Event Shows, and more. Everything that was negative is now positive! Not only have bookings increased dramatically, but we are also selling more in Suits & Tuxedos!
I thought a positive note from all the negative press today would be nice to see! 

Dennis Schmidt

Milroy's Tuxedos

Wants and Offerings
For Sale:

Black Cordova Shawl 6B DB (80) Coats $800.

White Champagne w/ Blk Piping DJ (70) Coats $900.

Fantasia Fullback Vests w/ Bow Ties by Mel howard
Black (40)
Gold (40)
Silver (45)
Candlelight (45)
Total for ALL $850.

Playboy Fullback Vests w/ Ties by Santana
Gold (25)
Silver (22)
Total for ALL $350.

Velvet Fullback Vests w/ Bow Ties by Elite
Black (25)
Burgundy (15)
Navy (15)
Emerald (15)
Total for ALL #350.

Vail Fullback Vests w/ Ties & Bows by Perry Ellis
Antique Gold (32)
Black (50)
Butter (60)
Celadon (36)
Cooper (28)
Desert Blue (32)
Ivory (30)
Lavender (42)
Lilac (30)
Powder Blue (55)
Pink (52)
Platinum (60)
Tangerine (40)
White (32)
Total for ALL $2500.

Call for prompt delivery

EZ Wiggins
Elegant Penguin
408-294-3355


For sale, FWI striped pants. Have 50 pairs size 28 to 43 Selling the lot for $500.00, most are new all excellent shape.
Gary Miller
Dawson Richards Tux Shop
1350b Jadwin Ave
Richland WA 99354
509 943 0652
fax 509 943 6199
drtuxshop@charter.net

Would you put these items for sale in your next Newsletter.

Black Claiborne Citiscape 37” 3 Button 45 Coats 900.00
Black D. B. Notch 55 Coats 700.00
Black D. B. Peak 40 Coats 500.00
Black D. B. Shawl 40 Coats 500.00
Black Mandarin Waist 30 Coats 400.00
White Claiborne Notch 32” 3 Button 55 Coats 700.00
White Claiborne Notch 32” 5 Button 65 Coats 1100.00
White Claiborne Notch 36” 5 Button 45 Coats 800.00
White Lord West Notch Tail 30 Coats 700.00
White C-itoh Pants to match above Coats 30 Pants 300.00

Raffinati Colored fold shirts:
Purple 62 shirts $119.00
Burgundy 40 shirts $89.00
Silver 200 shirts $399.00
Bronze 56 shirts $99.00
White 70 shirts $139.00
Black 100 shirts $279.00
Blue 52 shirts $99.00
Or take all colors for; $900.00

Buyer pays for shipping. If you have questions or to order contact Lee
at Tuxedos by Lee.
tuxbylee@comcast.net or call 801-916-3077

Thank you, Lee

For Sale
Black Gold Sienna Paisley Windsors
Original Price $9.95 each Asking $5.00 each

Black 48
Bali Lavender 24
Silver 30
Cornflower 24
Platinum 24
Celedon 30
Rivera Cafe 30
Candlelight 18
Petal Pink 24
Kiwi 24
Chocolate 24
Spice Red 30
Royal 24
White 18

Ascot LLC Nova Striped Shirts $7.00 each
Approximately

200 White
170 Ivory
130 Black

Thanks again!

Sam Carlson
Black Tie Formalwear
708-423-3530
Fax 708-423-3533
sam@blacktietuxes.com

Here's my list to sell at this time: hope that these will be good "meat" sizes for who can use them... Prices as below or BEST OFFER
Black ECKO I, coats, 38R, 40R, 40R, 46R, 42L..pants, (3) 34RA, (1)37RA...$300. for all only, please.
Black JAG Seven, coats..39R,40R,42R...$60 each or $150 for all.
Black Apollo 7-button coats...42R, 52R ..$95.each or $170. both
shipping is extra, call for the price to you.
We can take charges over the phone, or checks by mail, check needs to clear before we ship,
thanks,

Mary Gray, Ducky's Formalwear
Champaign, Ill, 61820
217-356-5822 fax 217-356-5049

I WISH TO SELL THE FOLLOWING. CALL ME FOR PRICES IF INTERESTED.

SHAWLS, PEAKS, PEAK TAILS, 4-B NOTCH, CALVIN KLEINS(FCGI), VERDI, 5-B GRANDS, CANNES, DAVINCI, AVANTI, APOLLO, JAGUAR, CITI EDGE, ECHOS, FUBU

WHITES AND IVORYS...VERDI, SHAWLS, CANNES, AVANTI, DAVINCI, APOLLO, ECKOS, FUBU

LOTS OF VEST PROGRAMS.

MY PRICES ....VERY CHEAP.

Ira Coleman
Colemans Tuxedos
649 Morris Twp
Springfield NJ 07081
1-973-568-5238
iratux@aol.com

Want to sell Columbia T. D. 2.55 MS 55LB Quick dry series 2002. Union Hydro Carbon Dry Cleaning Machine 60LB with still 2003. Unipress Rotary buck shirt unit 2003. Unipress Double buck vacum 2004. Misc. presses
Marty 716-994-1449
marty@martysformalwear.com

Thoughts for the Week Ahead

If you plan to give as you get then get with it!

"Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

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 her or 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 her or his content.