Who (or What) is Your Brand?

My experiences with jewelry retailers of late has led to wide and varied discussions on the value of brands in their stores. Some say that they need brands to remain competitive and to satisfy their customers’ cravings for “name brand” items. Others claim that their only real brand is their store name – that which they have promulgated in their community, often for decades.

The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

Many retailers are reluctant to “sell out” to brands and use them as drawing cards to their stores. One retailer told me that he won’t open a new store without Rolex. Another said he wants to build his internal, store-brand to a higher and higher percentage of total sales, where he gets the margin he wants and deserves.

The answer to the brand predicament is seldom as easy as “black and white.” Every business owner must do what each believes is right for his or her firm. But my one piece of advice is this: if you believe that your store, in your community, with your name on it, is the most important asset you have, then you should vigorously protect your own brand name while you continue to market others.

What is Work?

Work is what we do to earn money – to make a living. But more than that, work becomes a reflection of who we are and how we think. It is also emblematic of who we work for. Often, we work harder and with a more serious and conscientious attitude when we respect our boss, our leader. No respect means no loyalty. No loyalty means no real care. No care means a lot of heart-broken people searching for something, or someone, to believe in, to follow….[click to read more]

Here’s something else to think about…

Keep Adding Value

All employees in every business need to keep adding value or they aren’t worth what they are paid. Some are self-starters, some need to be pushed, but all need to be accountable for doing their job.

If you’re nervous or worried about losing your job, it may be that you are under-performing. The best way to ensure your longevity is to do great work and to add value to your boss and your company.

Don’t think of yourself as expendable. Instead, make yourself indispensable. The rest will take care of itself.

Business Tips:

• Proper planning is the key to making anything run smoothly. People who don’t plan ahead are hit with surprises that cost them dearly.
• Think about this: If you are in business, consider how you would compete against your own company if it weren’t yours…
• If you can’t understand something well enough to explain it to others, you should probably pass on the opportunity to invest in it.

Life Tips:

• When you are on a path that leads nowhere, stop denying the inevitable, and change direction. It could just be your best move yet.
• True, people will let us down once in a while. But most often they will rise to the occasion if we give them the motivation to succeed.
• Good advice is hard to come by. When you get it, use it. Don’t let your ego get in front of your brain. Be wise. Use good advice.

Tags: Advice, Business Tips, Crisis Management, Determination, Developing Leaders, Drive, happiness, Knowledge, Leadership Skills, Life Tips, Reality