The Resilient Retail Game Plan

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand. -- In this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I dive into the impact of effective PR for retailers with Fiona Minnett, the founder of Boss Your PR.    We discuss various types of PR such as product placement, founder profiling, and leveraging expertise, as well as strategies specifically for brick-and-mortar stores. I also provide practical tips for integrating PR into business plans for 2025.    Fiona emphasizes that many business owners are already engaging in PR without realizing it and offers her support to help them identify their unique stories and expertise angles.   [00:07] Meet Fiona Minnett: Small Business PR Expert [01:44] Fiona's PR Journey and Expertise [04:14] Fiona’s Mission to Democratize PR [08:00] Types of PR for Product Businesses [14:50] PR Strategies for Bricks and Mortar Stores [20:53] Getting Started with PR in 2025 [28:00] Final Tips and How to Connect with Fiona   Links: Learn more about Stock Doctor - https://www.resilientretailclub.com/stockdoctor/ Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/membership/ Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-business-mentoring/ 

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand. -- If you have a website but wonder why you aren’t ranking on the first page of google search results. Or if you have a local shop, but can’t seem to get your customers to find you online? Then the answer might be its time to take a look at your SEO.   In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Cook of Mango&Wild, an SEO and paid ad specialist.   We are discussing the latest trends in search engine optimization (SEO) for 2024. We explore the importance of SEO for both e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar stores, particularly focusing on local SEO strategies to boost sales and visibility.   This episode offers valuable insights for business owners looking to improve their online presence and drive more traffic to their websites.   [00:00] Why its so important for retailers to understand SEO [00:16] Meet Amy from Mango&Wild [02:43] The Importance of SEO in 2024 [08:49] Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid [13:42] Understanding Local SEO [16:32] Practical Tips for Local SEO [19:34] How to Connect with Mango&Wild   -- Learn more about Stock Doctor - https://www.resilientretailclub.com/stockdoctor/ Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/membership/ Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-business-mentoring/

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand. -- How would it feel if you could simplify your marketing efforts? Finding the time to focus on it and actually making it happen is one of the biggest challenges that many small business owners face. And that is the challenge that the software platform Constant Contact is aiming to solve with its services. We're joined by the UK general manager for Constant Contact, Erika Robinson. She's going to be telling us about her experiences as a small business owner, what she sees as the main challenges for marketing for small businesses, and how Constant Contact can help. Learn how technology and AI can level the playing field, giving small businesses the tools to compete with larger companies. [00:00] Introduction to Marketing Challenges for Small Businesses [00:15] Meet Erika Robinson from Constant Contact [02:15] Erika's Journey as a Small Business Owner [04:39] Marketing Challenges for Small Business Owners [06:22] How Constant Contact Simplifies Marketing [07:50] The Power of AI in Marketing [13:49] Email Marketing and Lead Generation [17:28] Constant Contact's UK Launch and Future Plans [21:08] A Special Offer from Constant Contact Links: Learn more about Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com/uk Learn more about Stock Doctor: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/stockdoctor/ Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/membership/ Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-business-mentoring/ 

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand. -- Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your business numbers?   Maybe it seems like there's endless amounts of information that you can get your hands on, but you don't actually know what you're supposed to be doing with it.   Maybe your cashflow has felt really tight and unmanageable and that sometimes you are just robbing Peter to pay Paul and keep moving money around the business in order to keep things above water.   If the answer to that is yes, then today's episode with Kate Tompsett from Happy and Glorious may be a familiar story.   Kate is one of the first businesses to go through my new stock doctor program, and she has been working with her stock doctor since the summer and has been kind enough to come onto the podcast to share her experiences being a business owner.   And what I'm sure is a very common situation of feeling overwhelmed and how the stock doctors service has helped her out.   If you're interested in the Stock Doctor service, then do go check out resilientretailclub.com where you can find out all of the information and book in for a chat.   [00:31] Meet Kate Tompsett from Happy and Glorious [02:16] The Journey of Happy and Glorious [06:34] Why did Kate start working with the Stock Doctor? [12:37] Impact of Stock Doctor on Happy and Glorious [18:33] How Stock Doctor has changed the way Kate thinks about her business [21:59] What advice would Kate give to anyone else considering the Stock Doctor program? [24:17] Future Plans and Conclusion -- Links: Learn more about Stock Doctor Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners  

Have you ever chatted with a bot on Instagram? Chances are if you connected on a post of mine and got a link sent to you in your DMs, then you've interacted with my Resilient Retail Club Instabot.    But what is an Chatbot and how can it be useful for retailers?   In this episode, we are talking with Mel Eilers about the transformative potential of chatbots for retailers.    We delve into the benefits of using chatbots to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and boost sales. Mel offers practical examples and strategies, such as automating social media interactions and prioritizing marketing objectives. Additionally, we highlight the importance of compliance and the growing trend of conversational marketing among retailers.    This episode is a must-listen for small business owners looking to leverage technology to build a resilient retail business.   [01:43] Meet Mel Eilers: Chatbot Expert [02:18] Understanding Chatbots and Their Benefits for Retailers [03:57] Implementing Chatbots in E-commerce [05:09] Building Effective Chatbot Strategies [09:39] Expanding Chatbot Use Beyond Instagram [10:47] Success Stories and Case Studies [15:34] Compliance and Best Practices [18:04] Future of Chatbots in Retail [19:39] Getting Started with Chatbots [30:12] Chatup with Mel Eilers   Links: Get all of the details on the show notes Learn more about Stock Doctor Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners

Do you have too much stock in your business right now?    If you feel like a lot of money is tied up in stock and there is not quite enough in your bank account right now, you are not alone.    So I thought with the Christmas season fast approaching I would give you some practical ideas about how you can change that fast. Particularly, I am going to focus on how you can leverage all the fuss around Black Friday to clear your slow-selling dead stock without damaging your brand.   [02:14] The Impact of Discounts on Brand Perception [03:29] Effective Stock Management Strategies [06:49] Identifying and Categorizing Stock [13:39] Promotional Tactics for Slow Sellers [17:57] Final Tips and Recommendations   Links:   Learn more about Stock Doctor - https://www.resilientretailclub.com/stockdoctor/   Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/membership/ Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-business-mentoring/

It’s Halloween! And today’s episode is all about the horrors of customer service.   And I wanted to do it from both sides, not just from what you've experienced as business owners. And lots of you have shared your horror stories of what your customers have said and done, but also how it feels as a customer.    And just reflecting a little bit on what great customer service looks like and how to navigate some of these things because it can be really really difficult!   You'll discover how great customer service can significantly boost your business, alongside practical tips for handling more difficult situations so customer service doesn’t have to be the nightmare of your business! [00:00] A Customer Service Nightmare: The Faulty Frame [02:47] Reflective Listening: A Customer Service Technique [04:26] Halloween Special: Horrors of Customer Service [05:58] Tips for Handling Unhappy Customers [07:20] Real-Life Customer Service Horror Stories [08:43] Refund Policies and Customer Retention [09:56] The Importance of Communication [11:37] Handling Lost Parcels and Fraudulent Claims [13:30] Dealing with Difficult Customers [16:39] Setting Boundaries and Outsourcing Your Customer Service Links: Get all the resources in the show notes on our website Get How to Talk so Kids Will Listen…and Listen so Kids Will Talk Learn more about Stock Doctor Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club  Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners 

In this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan podcast, I tackle the challenges retailers face from September to November, focusing on cash flow management and strategic stock handling.    I delve into the reasons behind the cash flow pinch during this period, such as holiday season stocking and payment timing issues. I share practical advice on delaying expenses, collecting owed payments, and using detailed cash flow forecasts. I also introduce my 'Stock Doctor' service to help manage underperforming stock and emphasize the importance of balanced inventory year-round.    Tune in for actionable insights to navigate cash flow challenges and boost your retail success during the holiday season.    [00:00] The Seasonal Cash Flow Crunch [00:33] Understanding the Retail Cash Flow Pinch [02:15] The Impact of Holiday Preparations [05:39] Strategies for Managing Payments [09:20] Creating a Sales and Stock Plan [10:46] Importance of Cashflow Forecasting [12:09] Optimizing Stock for Better Cashflow [13:03] Strategies for Managing Excess Stock [13:41] Planning for Seasonal Inventory [15:36] Final Tips for Cashflow Management [17:03] Resources and Support   Links: Get all of the details on our website. Learn more about Stock Doctor Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners

We often hear headlines that the UK High Street is in decline and all kinds of scare stories for brick-and-mortar stores. So in today's episode, I wanted to take the time to go through some recent numbers so we can see what's actually happening in the UK high street. As well as share my thoughts about what's ahead for bricks and mortar. I don’t think it is all sunshine and roses for the high street. There are lots of challenges from rising costs and consumers shift to purchasing online does have some impact. But I think we will see many more independent retailers. I'd love to see more retailers being able to experiment with having their customers come to them, and learn more about their brand. I think people really crave that ability to touch, feel, and see things. And I also think that for a lot of people, the numbers are going to add up for them to have a physical retail space, especially if you're somebody who's established online. So  I'm going to say I'm cautiously optimistic about the future. This is purely my opinion based on what I've read and what I believe to be true. But I'd love to hear what you think, what your experiences are, what it's like in your local area. Do you have a really thriving independent retail scene? Or have you seen it decline? Do you shop at local retailers? What's your experience like? How do you feel that the retail industry is going to be shifting?    [01:42] Analyzing the Decline of UK High Street [02:44] The Rise of Independent Retailers [04:28] Impact of Online Shopping on Retail [07:22] Chore Shopping vs. Cherish Shopping [08:28] Challenges in E-commerce and Retail Trends [09:41] The Rise of E-commerce [10:18] Challenges of E-commerce Profitability [15:02] The Future of the UK High Street [16:10] The Need for Vision and Flexibility [17:34] The Impact of Business Rates Links: Get all of the resources on our website Learn more about the Resilient Retail Club Learn more about my mastermind for product business owners  

In this exciting episode, I introduce a brand-new format for the Resilient Retail Game Plan, featuring a live consulting call with Becky Barratt from Driftwood Designs. Becky shares with me that at times they have found that they are surprised to discover that they are out-of-stock on their most popular products only to find that it might be up to eight weeks before they can get new inventory from the manufacturer. Becky is looking for guidance on how she can move from being reactive to limited stock to be proactive. I offer a couple of solutions that Becky can try and we discuss the possibility of implementing each given her unique products and business growth. This insightful conversation provides practical strategies you can apply to your own retail business.   [02:31] Meet Becky from Driftwood Designs [04:37] Becky's Stock Question: How do I move from being reactive to being proactive about my stock?  [07:23] Option #1: Re-platform - this is the most complex but might offer the best long-term solution [10:54] Option #2: Kanban Method - More practical and quicker to implement on the stock that matters most [13:27] Which products should be included in a Kanban solution [17:40] What to do if you are second-guessing your product choices [19:42] What actions will Becky take based on the conversation?   Links: Learn more about Stock Doctor - Take advantage of the early bird special!  £200 off if you book your Stock Doctor call by October 21st. https://www.resilientretailclub.com/stockdoctor/ If you would like to have me answer a question you have about running your retail business on the podcast, then reach out to me at [email protected]. Get all of the resources in our show notes on the website at https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast-episode/practical-solutions-to-avoid-stock-shortages/