January 25, 2016
In 1970, the King of the counterculture, Abbie Hoffman, wrote, Steal This Book. It was a guide to survival in time of change. It’s now 2016 and times are a changing. It’s time to steal some ideas.
Every industry has unique ways of doing business. Many of these ideas translate well to the retail business. So here are a few ideas that you can steal to help your store survive in the ever-changing world of noprofit retail. Read more →
January 11, 2016,
Pick any industry and you’ll find that marketing is often at the foundation of its success. If you think about all the marketing you’re exposed to in your everyday life it’s almost overwhelming. Marketing can be subtle or it can in your face. Some marketing is stealth and sneaks in the back door, while other types just kick the front door open. The good news, it all works.
Marketing is all around us. It’s on T-shirts. It’s on billboards. It saturates all types of media. And, it infiltrates even the most discrete forms of communication. It’s insidious… but necessary. Think about it. If you don’t tell people what you are selling (I.e., marketing) then they won’t come to you to buy it. Read more →
December 28, 2015
It’s hard to believe that 2015 is quickly sliding into our rear-view mirrors. In many ways, it was yet another year of retail as usual. I’m sure for many museum stores the end of the year looks much like the beginning of the year. Some stores within museums and institutions can be somewhat protected from seasonal changes with their business rising and falling based on the strength of the attendance of their institutions.
But as we peek around the corner at the new year some of that insulation may wear thin. Every facet of larger institutions could come under review if budgets get tight or if existing business and operating models are overhauled.
