Troy’s Blog
Pressure does not create character, it reveals it….
As we exited Australia on our last trip home to the USA my wife put her car in to be fixed on her way to the airport. On leaving it with the auto electrician she said, "we are only ever here for a week at a time and only every 3 months or so. I can leave it with...
Franchise Fact or Fiction – How to Tell Which Franchise is for You
So you’ve decided to join a franchise group, but you’re not sure which one is for you? You’ve looked at so many that you’re starting to go crazy trying to decide which of them look like the best opportunity. Black is now white and grey is now the only color that...
First What, then HOW – Having Panic at the End of the Financial Year
Well, here it is again, that time of year when we all seem to panic for some reason. The time when we all start running around the office screaming, ‘QUICK, HURRY, IT’S ALMOST END OF MONTH, DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT MONTH THIS IS? … IT’S THE END OF FINANCIAL...
To See or Not to See? That is the Question. Tips to Improve Your Retail Store Layout.
There are some tough decisions to be made in retail, but one of the toughest of all would be, "how much stock should I have in my store and how should I display it?" Store layout is critical to retail sales, and in the main, getting it right is an art form. The...
Working for a Buck
A while back I was out doing some research for a strategy document I was preparing. After strolling through countless aisles in retail outlets I had the information I needed and was ready to head for the car. On my way out I stumbled across a menswear store I used...
But it’s just not the same anymore – The impact of inconsistency
I'm the world’s worst consumer. I don’t buy much myself and I don’t spend any time shopping for fun, because for me it's not fun, so when I do shop, I take notice, and that truly does make me the worst consumer. This means I have high expectations. And I expect...
Do You Speak the Language?
About ten years ago I had a very interesting experience while attending a conference in Ho Chi Minh City. I've been lucky enough to speak at conferences all around the world for years but this one was different. I had an interpreter. At first I thought 'this...
Being in the Know
You’ve all heard the saying, ‘it’s not what you know it’s who you know.’ Well, that may be true in life but not so much in retail. In retail it’s what you know AND who you know that wins that day. The more you know about your product or service the more you have...
NOT At Your Service
Troy – I’m here to find out why I have been charged $175 overdraft fee when I don’t have an overdraft? Bank – Yes? Troy – I’d like you to refund that please. Bank – Well, I can’t do that here sir you’ll have to call customer service. Tory – Call customer service?...
Ask for the Sale
A recent survey released in Australia shows that Australians are miles behind their American counterparts when it comes to taking care of their customers. By this I don’t just mean customer service, I mean actually talking to them to find out what it is they want...