One of the things you’ll discover, if you read this blog regularly, is that I go to a lot of conferences, retail events, marketing summits and so on. The reason for this is simple: I go to these events because they make me a better retailer!
This week I was in a room with some incredibly creative people. I find it really nurturing to be surrounded by folks who nknow so much more than I do: it’s a chance to drink and absorb all of their knowledge and wisdom.
That’s something retailers need to do. I know, it’s easy to get trapped in the store — there’s so much to do and never any time to do it! But you have to get out: go learn from people who do things better than you do!
At this conference I was there with the CMO’s from some really big companies, and I said, “I can’t figure out the whole flyer thing. Should I do them, should I not? What kind of coupons work best?” and before I knew it, I was in this in depth conversation with three or four of the top retailers in the nation, talking about flyers. You can’t buy that kind of moment. You can’t read it in a book. You have to BE THERE, put yourself out there and ask questions!
Go where the people are. Go to tradeshows. Go to your competitor’s store. Go outside of your industry. See what other folks are doing!
Entrepreneurship is a lonely game. Do yourself a favor and break that cycle: get out of the store and see what you can learn!
