Aug
31
The Affluent Market Tracking Study #8, the just released Fall
2005 report in a continuing series of twice-yearly surveys by
The American Affluence Research Center (AARC), reveals several
important changes in the 12- month economic outlook and spending
plans of the wealthiest 10% of Americans, the 11 million
households representing about half of all consumer income and
spending and a third of the total US economy.
While the affluent still have a somewhat positive outlook toward
current business ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
30
About 25% of the total estimated December holiday (Christmas and
Hanukah) gift market will be produced by the wealthiest 10% of
U.S. households, despite a reduction of 1.6% in their spending
to about $57 billion.
Approximately two-thirds of the respondents expect to spend the
same amount for holiday gifts this year as last year. The number
who expect to spend "less" (21%) is about double the number who
expect to spend "more" (11%).
The survey found the affluent planned expenditures of ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
29
Where Gifts Are Purchased Varies by Type of Recipient
About 90% of the married respondents to a recent survey of the
affluent plan to give a December holiday gift to their spouse,
and the most frequent sources of the gifts will be traditional
department stores (62%) and specialty retail stores (57%). Gift
cards or money equivalents will be given by about 20% of the
spouses.
About one in two said they have children under 18 to whom they
will give gifts. Specialty retail stores (58%) will be the ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
28
Smart Tax - The RIGHT Way Of Collecting Sales Tax
The History
Inclusive sales tax has been around since the creation of the
sales tax. It is simply selling the item with tax included in
the price. This is very popular in European countries and
Canada. In the United States it is most popular in bars and for
admission to movie theaters and theme parks.
For the purposes of calculating the sales total and change due
this makes perfect sense. In operations such as bars, this is a
perfect application ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
27
Statistics consistently reinforce that the biggest challenge in
today's contact center environment is agent training. Turnover
continues to be high; new hire costs are on the rise'I've seen
anywhere from $6500 to $10,000 quoted per agent! At the same
time, losing customers because of bad call experiences
negatively impacts your bottom line. What can you do? How do you
justify the training expenditure? Research has been making a
case for how spending in human performance areas such as
training, ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
26
CHICAGO - The 2009 Monaco Grand Prix was poised to be one of the most challenging and exciting races on this year's Formula One circuit-and an unmatched opportunity for corporate hospitality, says THG North America CEO Jon Stromberg. 'The Monaco event came on the heels of a thrilling Spanish Grand Prix,' Stromberg says. 'We saw a lot of last minute interest in hospitality opportunities at Monaco-a testimony to the 'must-see' nature of the event.' The Monaco Grand Prix, which ran May 21st ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
25
Fantastic customer service is a friendly smile, it's a warm
greeting, it's a caring attitude, it's aimless small talk, it's
genuinely going the extra mile, it's truly understanding the
other person, it's cheerful enthusiasm'
Fantastic service is what makes customers want to shop with you
despite a higher price or the inconvenience of distance. Even if
you are providing a lesser quality product or service, fantastic
service can help you compensate for it. It gives you an
incredible, low cost ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
24
Customer service is the most vital asset for a Business, whether
it is online or offline. It's the critical factor which
determines if your business has a future or not. There are two
vital components to every interaction you have with a customer
1) The purchase or transaction 2) The relationship
In order to distinguish yourself among your competition,
providing just good service is not enough. Your competitors do
the same. You must provide EXCELLENT service. That will happen
if you follow ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
23
Have you always dreamed of owning your own business, having the
time and money to visit exotic locations and being able to fly
first class? How about starting your own air courier service?
If you love traveling, live in or near a city with a large
national or international airport, and you have the kind of
lifestyle that lets you pick up and go on a moment's notice,
then you might want to think about starting your own business as
an "air courier".
What is an air courier? It's a person who is ...Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
22
b>Why?
Why should you bother?
A couple of little business statistics have stayed firmly in my
business thoughts ever since I came across them almost 10 years
ago.
1. A 5% improvement in customer retention could add between 25%
and 125% to your bottom line.
2. Companies with good service records grow twice as fast as
those with poor service records.
WOW!
What an opportunity!
No expensive marketing. No gimmicks. Just give good service and
watch your profits grow.
How?
Firstly, involve your ...Read the rest of this entry »