Podcasts about merchant method

Did you know you can actually dropship on Amazon and not just Shopify? Yes, Amazon is mainly known for wholesaling, private labeling, and retail arbitrage. You might ask, "Hey, I thought Amazon has really strict rules against dropshopping," but Shayne Cannell-Cohen explains that as long as you follow the guidelines you'll be safe!On top of that reassurance, Shayne explains the story of how he had his back against the wall when he lost his part-time job and had to figure out a way to make money. He eventually got into entrepreneurship and started to make serious bags via Amazon dropshipping.Today he will share his story and strategies to find winning products and how to get into the buy box on Amazon to generate sales!

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Guillot, founder of the Merchant Method. And y'all, she knows her stuff. She is fabulous and we just have such a mutual admiration for each other. She is a retail consultant full of knowledge and drive for her clients. In this interview we talk about how she got her business started 7 years ago and how it has grown and evolved through the years. During this pandemic, Chris and I met in a group we were both members of on social media and just hit it off. We talked about how this time has changed our businesses and how she had to shift focus to support her clients as they navigated a time no one saw coming. "How do we refocus our business to work from home with kids, family members, and all of the regular adult things on top running a business?" She is just such a personable, lovely woman, I loved speaking with and I can't wait for you all to see and listen.

It seems like all we talk about in the Covid-19 era is the Quarantine. The things we can't do, the places we can't go to, the home we can't escape. But the curious thing is, what comes next? There is a whole world of design to be discovered after the Pandemic. We won't be the same, the way we socialize will be different, and the way we shape our spaces will be different, especially when it comes to retail and hospitality.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? Spoiler alert: (Even) I hate this question! Hindsight is 20/20. It gives us a less tenderopportunity to learn from past mistakes, oversights, and failures. As someone who’s fascinated but learning from her own history, I know there’s more to get out of hindsight — like learning how to fail up. We know history repeats itself. We also know that if we want different results, we often have to DO something different than we’ve done in the past. Throughout my career I’ve learned how to get and grow by accepting my contribution to professional failures. And I’ve learned to do far more than chalk it up to valuable experience. In fact, I’ve learned how to leverage failures rather than redfinine them. In this week’s podcast episode, I share my perspective on making the most of bad results: Why we are comfortable redefining failures Seeing the past in a new light rather vs. using the past as a stepping stone to new results The importance of making intentional choices — and documenting them Why wrapping up the choice, action, and results process is critical The value of measuring both accomplishments and the gaps between goals and results Incorporating learning into your leadership role To help you master the art and science of merchandising, join my free live trainings at Retail Charm School by visiting MerchantMethod.com/School. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

A common thread that connects business owners and CEOs across all organizations, in all industries — regardless of business size — is a desire for both confidence and clarity. The leadership role can feel isolating. It takes a lot of work to hold down the fort, to have or find answers to your challenging business questions, and to take big leaps toward growth. The reality is that many things out of your control. But there’s a lot more you can sway… if you know how. Whether you’re operating on a mixture of guts, gumption, and grace, or running like a well-oiled machine ready to produce even more, I want you to broaden your business point-of-view so that you can step into a role you already have — Small Business CEO. Imagine what could be possible in just one week if you learned how to improve your strategic know-how in order to lead your brand to greater profit. In this week’s podcast episode for small business owners, retail entrepreneurs, and up-and-coming industry leaders, you’ll learn: The number one thing you can do to move out of an uncontrollable circumstance into a situation that invites the results you’re working toward Why confidence boils down to trust How your level of clarity is tied to your ability to understand and communicate coherently The primary difference between CEO, and President or Business Owner The simple exercise you should do if you want to develop your Small Business CEO skill set After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

We’re entering a selling season when the reasons for buying are broader than they are during other times of the year. Between seasonal holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, non-holiday seasonality associated with school graduation and sports, and the general energy that comes from experiencing warm weather, customers open their wallets more freely since the holidays. It’s no wonder that pop-up events and outdoor markets are aplenty this time of year. So how are you event planning for optimal profit? Whether you’re opening a brand new brick-and-mortar business, embarking on your 15th outdoor market season, or growing your chain of retail stores, event planning should be an important part of your operational process. In this week’s episode I share two important practices to compliment what you already know! Stack them both or try one strategy this season: Look at grand opening and special events from a new, long-term point-of-view How to start “selling” over a month and a half before your event How behind-the-scenes marketing builds brand awareness and trust Plan for a brand experience that begins before and extends after the event Balance promotional pricing that incentivise customers with your profit needs After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

When I started working in a retail buying office, I found it to be an exciting time in my life. I adored being part of the decision-making that shaped what customers bought. Specifically, I enjoyed learning how to understand my customers so deeply that I could shop of them — thousands and thousands of them. What you and I have in common is that we excel at translating visual or emotional inspiration into something a customer will pay for. We also have strong presentation skills — from visual communication to store merchandising to selling. Like you, I love this large portion of the job being a merchant! During this early part of my career, I could have left the rest of the merchant role behind. Believe me when I tell you, I tried and here’s how it went! Ultimately, I couldn’t. I couldn’t pick and choose what to focus on and what to ignore, and neither can you. I quickly learned that selling inventory to a paying customer happens in an ecosystem of sorts and that this environment has an infinite amount of influences — some that we control and some do not. Listen to this week’s podcast episode to get a bird’s eye view of the merchandise life cycle so that you can have more clarity and control of your time. The difference between operating a business on a solid foundation vs. shaky ground Unlocking more personal time off by mastering production management Learn the six phases of the merchandise life cycle Similarities and differences of how retailers and makers or small-batch manufacturers move through the merchandise life cycle After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

There are a handful of essential questions I always ask clients and students because they effectively reveal valuable information about a business like its size, general revenue bracket , and state of growth. When it comes to receiving business support as an entrepreneur or small business owner, sharing as much as you can about your operations is more revealing — and actionable — than sharing how much annual revenue your brand drives. So here’s the million dollar question... How do you handle the administrative work that goes into your retail business? It’s easy to villainize administrative tasks like replying to vendor emails, cataloging digital photos, and handling invoices as pesky to-dos. But nothing can be further from the truth. These administrative examples are just a few of many critical inventory-related aspects of running a profitable merchant business. In this week’s podcast episode, you’ll learn the importance of: Reframing your point of view about business tasks Maintaining a sense of urgency especially if you don’t do the administrative work yourself Understanding the importance of organization even if you’re not naturally organized Embracing your role as a manager — of an employee, freelancers, or yourself After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

Paper planners and desk-sized calendars are popular companions to the kickoff of any new year. They represent fresh starts, new beginnings, and goal setting. I’m curious — did you start the year with business goals, and a new planner or journal in hand? More importantly, are you still planning with the same level of commitment you had earlier in the year? If you’re answer is yes, let me be the first to congratulate you! Amazing job! But, if your answer is kinda or no, fret not because you are not alone. You’re not the only merchant in search of a planner or online planning tool that will help you complete the work you want to complete. A tool that will help you stay focused, take action, and continue growing. In this week’s podcast episode, I review several types of planners: The four types of planners I review How each planner is unique and how I’ve used each for different purposes The similarities across each planner type The key difference between planners and planning The biggest opportunities for Retailers and Makers when it comes to planners After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

When it comes to mastering accountability, entrepreneurs often think the answer lies in time management. It’s easy to believe that if we manage our time better, we wouldn’t feel behind in our work and could actually plan some personal time off. But let’s be honest — if you need help holding yourself accountable to the business deadlines you’ve set, time management may NOT the kind of help you really need. In this week’s podcast episode, you ‘ll discover the simple but overlooked secret to meeting your own deadlines: The relationship between time management and accountability Three things you need to know in order to manage your time effectively What it means to have clarity about on your priorities After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

If you have business successes to celebrate and still feel overwhelmed by work or have a hard time getting clear about where your business is going, you might be a Merchant Maverick. As one of the Retail Success Styles: https://merchantmethod.com/quiz, Merchant Mavericks make up about one third of the Merchant Method community. While what you’ve done in the past won’t necessarily get you the business results you want in the future, you can use your success style to unlock your next chapter of business growth. As you listen to this podcast episode, I want to pay special attention to a few key points: How Merchant Mavericks maneuver through business to find success An overview of Creative Entrepreneurs and Chief Retail Officers A few ways Merchant Mavericks describe themselves What to do if you crave a new business direction After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business, using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. I can’t wait to learn more about you! © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

Two heads are better than one but it takes intention and patience to work in partnership successfully. Whether your business partnership means co-owning your brand, working with multiple vendors, or both, all of these require regular maintenance to keep them high functioning, valuable, and gratifying. But what about when you’re in a partnership that’s headed in the wrong direction? What do you do about it then? I frequently coach retailers and makers through the vendor partnership aspect of business. What most merchants don’t realize is that the true value of these relationships does not center around physical inventory. In fact, there are many components that contribute to awarding the metaphoric Partnership Gold Star — like being reliable, consistent, and a clear communicator. Though many partners have the best intentions, you may find yourself in a business relationship that needs repair. Perhaps someone is falling short of your expectations or you’re falling short of theirs. What should your next move be? Reflect on these questions to find out before you take your next step: How did this business partnership become high maintenance? Is this a different partnership than you expected or is your current situation unsurprising? What is this partnership worth to you in your business? How have you or are you contributing to the problem? If this partnership were to be fixed, improved, salvaged, or grow, what must be true? As you sketch out where to go from here, incorporate your Retail Success Style into your action plan. You can discover your style in 60-second by that the free Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

There’s so much more to planning than time management... but I’m pretty sure you already know this! You juggle finances to buy inventory or raw materials. You shift around items on your to-do list to meet your most urgent deadlines. You put off making personal appointments because there are competing deadlines tied to the urgency of seasonal selling. You juggle like a pro! But… are you planning so you can get ahead of the game or are you scrambling to keep up? Here’s the good news: you can reverse engineer the many benefits of planning if you know what you’re working toward and why your planning for it! You don’t need to overhaul your operational practices or adopt a leadership style very different from your Retail Success Style. You simply need to start planning. This podcast episode highlights three types of planning so that you can make sure you’re covering your bases —  now and in the future. As you listen, pay special attention to these points: Merchandise planning helps you optimize your revenue while at the same time minimize the costs associated with carrying too much inventory. You don’t have to be “good at math” to be a planner — you just have to want greater profitability. Predetermine how many employees or what type of business support you’ll need before you’re in a bind. Consider your personal needs when you plan your business calendar and quarterly operational plans. After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. I also invite you to learn alongside other retailers and makers inside my free podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. This is where you can get support on podcast topic, exclusive hot tips, and more. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

Marketing, as a critical business function, is just as broad a practice as it is deep — meaning, there are many important moving parts. Luckily there are also plenty of valuable resources for SMBs yet despite the training available at our fingertips, Merchants continue to struggle with marketing their businesses for one main reason — marketing is NOT merchandising. When you take a simple view of retail merchandising, it falls under the broader function of marketing because merchandising your products promotes desirability. When you look at modern marketing as well as modern retail within the context of your cash flow needs, you’ll quickly learn that these serve different roles in your business and that you need both. As you listen to this week’s episode, designed specifically for independently-owned retail SMBs, small-batch manufacturers, and makers, I want you pay special attention to: Avoiding the mistake of using marketing as a cure-all when sales are stagnant Using the Four Pillars of Merchandising to discover opportunities for more revenue and profit Aligning your merchandising and marketing strategies Asking better quality questions when determining your next marketing move The critical role of merchandising and its contribution to a healthy cash flow After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

I remember my first manager-level role — one with employees to train, develop, and retrain should performance fall below expectations. I loved it when my team and I were like a well-oiled machine and never thought about how I would feel if we weren’t. So I was unprepared when my own manager asked me to have a difficult conversation with an employee whom she suspected was stealing from the business. Whether or not I was prepared, it was a conversation I had to have. In hindsight, I can see that I didn’t receive the best direction from my supervisor (perhaps my fears prevented me from really hearing her). Instead I did the best I could do in the moment. Do any of these feeling sound familiar to you? I decided to get rid of any expectations that this would be a conversation of conflict. I got curious instead. It was a productive, personable, and successful straightforward talk. Your next one can be too. In this episode I share the approach I take when I’m curious about an employee's behavior or performance. Listen for opportunities to make your next “talk” a little easier by trying a clarification-first approach. In this episode I talk about: Feelings that may arise when preparing to have a direct conversation with an employee The difference between clarity and conflict, and types of conflict in the workplace Ways to search for clarity about an employee’s behavior or performance Why asking questions can be the most appropriate way to understand a circumstance or situation After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Remember: Knowledge and action are most effective when applied within the context of your unique business using your unique style. To help you find your path to business growth, take my free 60-second Retail Success Style quiz at MerchantMethod.com/Quiz. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

The question I get asked time and time again is — “What should I charge for my products because I need to make more money?” I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you need to know that making more money does NOT start with pricing. The nature of personal taste and the costs associated with offering your shoppers the right number of customer choices make the simplicity of finding “the right price” very, very difficult. Let me explain to you what you need to know and WHY so that you can begin asking quality questions and start making more money. As you listen to this podcast episode I want you to pay special attention to a few key concepts that impact small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The one thing that makes it difficult to run a profitable retail business or inventory-based brand Merchant Method’s Four Pillars of Merchandising — a must-know for indie retailers and makers Learn the critical roles of each merchandising pillar and how it plays out in your business Understand the difference between running a business and running an inventory-based brand After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Join my FREE podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. This is where the real conversations and retail shifts happen. When you join you’ll learn how to improve your business AND meet indie retailers and makers just like you. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

Every indie retailer and maker that I’ve worked with has one thing in common — a fear of being bored in their work. (Raise your hand if this is you too!) This is often why entrepreneurs start their own ventures. However, the pursuit of freedom and flexibility often spreads into areas that it has no business being.   I’m here to tell you, my friend, that you can AND should embrace boredom! When you do, you’ll find running your inventory-based brand easier and, if you do it well, more profitable too.   As you listen to this podcast episode about how to hack your business growth with boredom, I want you to pay special attention to a few key concepts that impact small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Why you should stop worrying about getting bored in your business How uncertainty and excitement in specific aspects of your operations can hurt your business The proven benefits of boredom Three ways to hack your retail growth using the benefits of boredom   After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action!   Join my FREE podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. This is where the real conversations and retail shifts happen. When you join you’ll learn how to improve your business AND meet indie retailers and makers just like you. © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

Whether you're ready to share this publicly or suffer in silence, you probably feel that you need to somehow up your retail marketing game — whether it be getting more attention on social media, driving traffic to your ecommerce site, or developing new contacts now that might turn into business later (read: business development).   Amiright?!? If you believe there’s stiff competition or if you’re rowing your own boat, there is zero benefit in ignoring the fact that it’s a business battleground out there with many brands vying for your customers attention AND money! This begs the question: What’s a small, self-funded retailer or maker to do? There IS actually an answer that allows you to take one of many paths that’s right for YOUR brand. But it does, in fact, begin with a set of valuable insights. As you listen to this podcast episode about how to profit in a saturated marketplace, I want you to pay special attention to a few key concepts that impact small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). What brand values are really worth — to your customers and to your bottom line Customer signals are changing AND they want to make sure you are part of THEIR communities Operationalizing modern brand values vs. establishing conventional brand values How SMBs benefit from having and using modern brand values After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action!   Join my FREE podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. This is where the real conversations and retail shifts happen. When you join you’ll learn how to improve your business AND meet indie retailers and makers just like you.   © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

What catches a customer’s attention — and hopefully a share of their wallet — changes constantly and the tides of merchandising, marketing, and selling quickly follow suit. What was once a clever idea to drive customer traffic to a store is now the starting price to get a customer’s attention. Hopefully you hold it long enough for them to really look at what you’ve got to sell. I’m sure you know your customers well enough to provide epic customer care but do you know how they really want to be sold to? Spoiler Alert: It’s entertainment-first. As you listen to this podcast episode about the shifting the customer service role from seller to entertainer, I want you to pay special attention to a few key concepts that impact small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). How the entertainment industry props up and transforms the retail industry Shifts in discretionary spending, and the relationship between experiences and physical inventory Common retailtainment experiences in a brick-and-mortar or physical settings How SMBs can and should entertain customers in an effective and affordable way   After you’ve listened, it’s time to take action! Join my FREE podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. This is where the real conversations and retail shifts happen. When you join you’ll learn how to improve your business AND meet indie retailers and makers just like you.   © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

The Retail Shift podcast shares business advice for inventory-based brands and the merchants who run them. I'm Chris Guillot, CEO of Merchant Method and your portable retail coach.   I'm glad you're here to find answers to your business questions like: How do I plan for the future when there's uncertainty? How do I sell more products and make a profit? How do I find and keep paying customers? How do I get employees to do the work they're hired to do? How do I up my retail marketing game?   You're also invited to join my free podcast community at MerchantMethod.com/RetailShift. When you do you’ll learn how to apply these shifts to your business AND meet indie retailers and makers just like you. See you there!   © Thinking Thumbprint LLC DBA Merchant Method. All rights reserved. For more information and terms of use visit MerchantMethod.com.

We are all living in the Post Truth Era, whether we choose to believe it or not. Once upon a time, we all experienced the world accepting basic, fundamental truths, but, as of late, that's just no longer the case. Basic concepts, like science, are being called into question, and when that happens, everything goes out the window. How do we design experiences for retail spaces when each and every element is approached with distrust and skepticism? Chris Guillot, a retail consultant with Merchant Method, joins us to help us separate the feels from the facts.

Christine “Chris” Guillot is founder of Merchant Method, a boutique consulting agency specializing in teaching independent retailers and manufacturers the retail intelligence they need to navigate strategic growth. With over 19 years of experience in retailing and manufacturing – and 6 years as an entrepreneur – Chris knows a few things about the unique self-care challenges faced by people on the retail sales floor all day long. She’s also had a few ups and downs in her own entrepreneurial and self-care journeys – and I wanted to hear all about them. We talked about… How different kinds of retail environments encourage different levels of self-care (and which types of retailers are better at it) How being on the sales floor can actually be an exercise in connection and mindfulness The wisdom of being part of the ‘okay club’ as an entrepreneur (and as a human) Chris’s personal story of taking a long break from her business, why it was scary, and how she finally came back stronger than ever Click here to reserve your spot in Lara’s next free online workshop.

It's an understatement to say that Seattleites shop with their values in mind. How does that translate to shop owners both small and large, who are trying to balance creating a unique and authentic local experience for their customers, while still managing the rising cost of operating fairly, sustainably and profitably? More importantly, what role does design have in balancing those scales?

Interviewing is a two-way street. Candidates are selling themselves and you, as the hiring manager, are selling the role, your leadership capacity, the company culture, and the value of the brand. Interviewers are being interviewed by candidates. They study your words and your actions. How you make them feel is an important part of the recruiting and hiring process.   In this week’s episode I share how to sell the job while you’re interviewing potential employees! Have a listen as I speak to the seller inside you.   Summary of Field Notes: Offering employee perks as a small business owner The parallels between what candidates want from their interview experience and what customers want from their shopping experience Simple oversights and misconceptions about interviews being a one-sided process Selling the job to another retail seller Creating a narrative about what it’s like to work for you and your company Selling the job during your next round of interviews   For more information on this and related retail insights visit MerchantMethod.com.

My forte is working on experimental retail projects. I love using my skills in innovative ways, stretching and growing along the way. Most of these projects have gone well, but not all of them. Looking back, in the projects that fizzled, I was trying to do too many things that were out of my wheelhouse. By focusing a bit more on my strengths and getting a little complementary help, those ventures could have accelerated faster.   In this week’s episode I share how to make your most important hire as the leader of an entrepreneurial venture—yourself! Have a listen as I speak the recruiter and hiring manager inside you.   Summary of Field Notes: Organizing personal employment paperwork Rejoining the workforce after a year and a half as a stay at home mom Self-assessing if you’re a good fit for the role you have Frequency of performance self-assessments   For more information on this and related retail insights visit MerchantMethod.com.

When I graduated high school I was voted Most Likely to Become a Teacher. Back then it seemed like a bad prediction. I was bound for business school and focused on becoming an entrepreneur and a retailer. It took me years to realize that the most beloved retailers (of all sizes) are just that—teachers.   In this week’s episode I share how my skills as a teacher and as a retailer are interdependent. Have a listen as I speak to the teacher inside you.   Summary of Field Notes: Early leadership roles that shaped my critical thinking, public speaking, and advocacy skills Teaching microentrepreneurship as a college student and returning to classroom teaching 20 years later Retailers, Makers, and Merchants impart knowledge and shape behavior, even when they don’t realize it Valuable teacher tips for your own team, to help you with hiring, training, and retaining top retail talent   For more information on this and related retail insights visit MerchantMethod.com.

Securing my first professional role in corporate retail was no easy task. After one, two, three failed attempts I came to learn that there are multiple ways to get what you want. In this week’s episode I share my first job-seeking process and what I learned about going after what you want.   Summary of Field Notes: Being dedicated to creating your dream business and dream job Remaining focused on achieving what others said you couldn’t do Finding multiple ways to reach your goal Committing to the long game, rather than dwelling on the immediate grind.   For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

This week I’m excited to launch Retail Shift: Field Notes of Retail Success.   This new weekly podcast series complements our retail trend reports with qualitative notes about success in the retail industry. In each installment, I’ll share professional lessons I’ve learned, milestone career moments, meaningful customer connections, and more. I’ll also be answering listener questions, so please reach out and join the conversation!   Summary of Field Notes: Retail Shift is the companion field guide to our retail trend reports Field notes are qualitative notes recorded in the course of practical experience Some early influences that shaped my understanding of entrepreneurship My early retail experience, from microentreprise to global fashion What you can expect from this series and how to submit questions The events that inspired me to share more about my professional experiences   For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

Do you think that quarterly realignment of strategic initiatives with long-term goals is just for big businesses? Done well, a structured quarterly business plan can serve as a silent, well-informed, and influential business partner to help keep independent retailers on track and accountable.   In this week’s trend report I share three tips to help ensure the successful execution of your thoughtful business planning exercise, as well as three pitfalls to avoid.   Trend report topics: Basing business priorities around your business values The importance of long-term goals to maintaining big-picture perspective Using short-term goals to ensure frequent accomplishments and support momentum Prioritizing function over form in a planning system Leaving room in the plan to maintain both your momentum and your calendar itself Setting yourself up for success with structured goals   For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

Both professionally and personally, I find it valuable to pause and reflect on the recent past, both the things that have happened around me and the things that I have done. As we approach the middle of the year, it’s a perfect time to do just that.   In this week’s trend report I share my favorite ways to review the business year to date before addressing plans for the second half of the year.   Trend report topics: The importance of looking back to inform movement forward Reminding yourself of your original goals Reviewing your efforts — what worked and what didn’t? What are your takeaways from the year so far? How will you approach the next 90 days? Use this review to assess each area of your business Involving a trusted business partner or high-level leader in the process   For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

We talk a lot about small retailers needing to stand out, but our customers are saturated with influencers, expectations are at an all time high, and our competitors are all hustling too. To help deal with all this noise, I’d like to share how surprise & delight can be built into small business practices to help you rise above it all. I recently facilitated a conversation about this topic during one of our in-person events, and in this week’s trend report I share my personal takeaways from that discussion.   Trend report topics: How to catch customers off guard in a memorable way through your marketing How surprise & delight can turn customers into lifelong fans and brand lovers The spectrum of surprise & delight that ranges from wow to wonder Inducing a fear of missing out vs. sparking a sense of inclusion Using training and resources to elevate and bring consistency to surprise & delight experiences Low or no cost surprise & delight retail marketing strategies   For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

Green business practices are more available to independent retailers than ever, providing new opportunities to build value. Decreasing material consumption is good for its own sake and many customers like to see businesses acting responsibly.   On top of that, reducing waste also cuts operating costs, which increases bottom line profit. For small businesses, this method to improve experiences, operations, and finances is too important to ignore.   This week’s trend report highlights current practices and tools that you can use to optimize customer experience, grow profits, and strengthen brand equity.   Trend report topics: Reusing materials in store planning and for store fixtures Types of modern store fixtures worth investing in Cloud based applications that can help you streamline your business Optimizing your point of sale technology to fully leverage its benefits Educating customers about e-receipts and bagless cash wrap transactions Reconsidering packaging for online orders For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

Retailers use all of their business acumen and intention to develop an excellent shopping experience, maintain brand value, and grow customer relationships; these same skills can be applied to building and maintaining a comprehensive loss prevention program. With accountability and a consistent, long-term commitment, you can decrease loss and also see growth in your top line revenue, bottom line profit, and brand equity.   Join us for this week’s trend report as we wrap up our four-part series on loss prevention for independent retailers.   Trend report topics: Examples of human error that lead to preventable losses Consistency and accountability are key to loss prevention Retail loss problems are entrepreneurial opportunities in disguise Three categories of common operational errors The connection between loss prevention, strong brand behaviors, and excellent customer care For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.  

Internal loss is the leading cause of profit loss for small businesses and retailers, which often surprises business owners. Types of internal loss range from employee abuse of credit cards, refunds, and discounts, to simple theft by employees of physical products and supplies. Join us for this week’s trend report and learn how to humanize the prevention of internal loss and shape your current business practices to support those measures. Trend report topics: Internal Loss - The #1 contributor to preventable loss for most retailers Employee discount abuse and other types of internal loss People-centered approach to preventing employee theft and other internal loss Maintaining confidentiality during investigations Tips for reshaping your current operational practices For more information on this and related retail trends visit MerchantMethod.com.

Shoplifting happens for a number of reasons but do you know the most common and important elements of external theft? Learn more about these underlying problems and what to do about them in this week’s trend report, "Learn Why Shoplifting Happens and How You Can Prevent It." Merchant Method provides independent retailers and makers with consulting and training services to build retail profit with ease. Founded by retail veteran Christine Guillot, Merchant Method brings over 17 years of industry success in retail, manufacturing, product development, and store leadership to product-based businesses in the U.S.

Meet me, Chris Guillot, the host of Retail Shift and founder of Merchant Method, in this short, introductory episode. Get to know me, learn about my background in retail, and find out what you can expect to learn from future episodes of this podcast.