In your day to day grind, it’s not always easy to take a step back and recognize that you might need a little extra help (or a lot of extra help). Retail Operations Consultants help with Team Building, Inventory, Customer Engagement, and everything in between, but, when is it necessary to work with a consultant?
Team Building and Development. If your organization isn’t exactly running as a successful unit –retail operations consultants can help with that. A consultant can work to develop a team that is positive, dedicated, and educated on tasks. This is essential to having an end result that flourishes.
Location Selection. You may be in a transition and have, for one reason or another, the need to change locations. Consultants can help choose a location that works for your individual business. This is a great opportunity to get an outsiders’ perspective. Location selection is an essential fundamental step and having an expert weigh in is sometimes exactly what you need.
Space Presentation. Maybe you’re having issues setting an appropriate presentation for your clients and customers or utilizing space management, addressing stock issues, focusing on visual presentation, etc. Consultants can help to make sure that your presentation is working for you and your business.
Inventory Management. If you’re having issues managing your inventory, this is a definite issue to look for help with. Consultants can help with inventory plans, software and programs to help sort issues out, and organizing inventory management in a new way.
Customer Engagement. Customer engagement is key in a retail business. If this part of your business needs developing, consultants can offer fresh approaches to customer engagement and new plans for maintaining those connections. They can also offer expertise on the degree of selling needed and offer product or service and industry knowledge where necessary.
Technology. Maybe you’re lacking on the technology front –your business is running great in store, but you don’t have an online presence. Or perhaps you’re lacking software to get things running. From launching and maintaining a successful website to staying up to date with social media to introducing software programs that can help your organization run more smoothly, consultants may offer a more thorough and understandable technology approach. When correctly applied, technology can dramatically improve interactivity and customer engagement.
Using a retail operations consultant can be extremely beneficial in helping your business to thrive and that is exactly what we do here at J&S. Recently, we researched, evaluated, recommended and selected a new point-of-sale application for a busy retail establishment. We achieved advanced certification and performed user and technical training during the application implementation.
In addition, we helped a niche-market pet goods store completely overhaul their retail operations. We started by evaluating the store’s existing business environment via a SWOT analysis, including business owner interviews and industry research. We then developed specific business and marketing plans, making significant recommendations for change. We subsequently managed all aspects of the change process, from new location selection to information technology, organizational structure and staff, store layout and merchandising, and traditional and internet marketing. As a result of our efforts, toot traffic has skyrocketed, from 20 people a year to 200 people a day, and from $10,000 yearly sales to over $20,000 per month!
We would love to help you make the right retail strategy decisions that will save you both time and money.
Jim Nagy is Co-Founder/Owner & Managing Partner of JSTD, LLC and a business consultant who specializes in technology consulting, retail operations consulting, and project management. He is also our designer and primary technician. He’s an expert in software development and business applications, with over 25 years of experience in IT, 20 years in software development, 16 years in executive management, and over six years entrepreneurial experience in the technology industry.
