RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2014
4
DECEMBER 2014, VOLUME 25, ISSUE 12
CELEBRATING OUR 25
TH
YEAR
AS THE RETAIL OBSERVER
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
E LIANA BARRIGA
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
MOE LASTFOGEL
ART DIRECTOR
TERRY PRICE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
TIMOTHY BEDNARZ
PAT KELLY
PAUL MAC DONALD
PATRICK MALONEY
STEPHANIE PROBERT
JIM RISTOW
JOHN TSCHOHL
E LLY VALAS
LIBBY WAGNER
RALPH E. WOLFF
DEADLINE FOR FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE:
JANUARY 1, 2014
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Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com
Happy Holidays,
Elle's View As I See It
W
ith the holiday season in full swing, hopefully we all can find
some time to take a small break so we can reflect on what
we've accomplished this year and start planning for next year.
Okay, I understand that time away from your business can seem like
more stress than it's worth. And I'm not saying get on a plane and take
off to Bali, although not a bad idea—I'm talking about a few days away
to allow you and your management team to get a little R&R so you can
get some important planning work done.
Finding a nice spot doesn't have to be expensive either, you can rent
a local beach house or cabin for 3 to 4 days. Start each morning with
a nice breakfast and maybe a walk to clear your head. Plan to spend 4
to 5 hours a day on your agenda. Take a break for lunch and at the end
of each day, leave work talk and thinking behind until the next day. This
will allow you and your team to again clear your heads and start fresh
in the morning.
During your planning time, go over each area of the business to
identify what's working and what things may need to be changed.
Target several problem areas and discuss possible solutions. Review
the year's accounting reports and results from all of your store's sales
and promotions. Leave room for a brainstorming session, where
everyone can add any new ideas they may have or out of the box
promotional ideas.
And yes, you may not get every question or problem solved, but the
time away will allow you to come up with a clear plan on how you will
tackle the new year. I found from past business retreats that scheduled
time away is invaluable to both the company and your sanity.
TIME TO TAKE A
BREAK, REVIEW
& LOOK AHEAD
