Archive for December, 2006
The most popular “chocolate holiday”, Valentine’s Day, is quickly approaching and you can wow your customers with interesting tidbits of information about chocolates.
A recent issue of Gourmet Retailer’s on-line magazine presents a comprehensive primer on chocolates. Many gift basket designers have seen new chocolate products this year whose packaging includes a claim about a specific “% Cacao”. So what does that really mean?
“According to the guide, the term ‘% cacao’ refers to the total percentage of ingredients by weight which come from the cacao bean (or cocoa bean)”. This number is what the consumer should consider when considering the intensity of chocolate flavor desired. Essentially, the higher the number, the more intense.
Recent surveys of consumer buying habits indicate that our customers want to be educated about the products they buy. And by sharing this type of information, you can distinguish yourself from the crowd and provide a service not often offered in the large chain stores.
For a full explanation of chocolate terms and processes for making chocolates, go to the Chocolate Manufacturer’s Association.
Also check out Apex Gift Foods to see a great selection of chocolate products that your customers will love and to take advantage of a Valentine’s Chocolate Promotion available through January 10th.
December 28th, 2006
Now that you’ve shipped all of your holiday orders, you may have lots of ideas about how you want to handle things differently for the next busy holiday season: Valentine’s Day.
I read a very good article in Gourmet Retailer, December, 2006 issue: “Shipping & Packaging: Thinking Inside the Box”. Author James Mellgren has great ideas for setting up your shipping and gift wrapping departments. This article is also available on Gourmet Retailer’s on-line magazine.
One of author’s best ideas is to invite a representative from your carrier (UPS, FedEX, etc) to come in for a meeting with your shipping manager and any other employees involved in shipping. At this meeting, you can show the representative the products that you typically ship, especially the fragile items. Also be prepared to show the packing materials that you use including boxes, fillers, padding, and tapes. You can even pack up some of your most popular products and ask for feedback about how those are packed or what other ideas the representative might have.
This meeting also offers the opportunity to make sure you have all the information and forms that you will need to file damage claims. Find out who you should call in case of damage and all the steps you will need to follow.
Make sure you read this article for informative suggestions about setting up a gift wrapping department too. This service is one that can set you apart from other businesses.
Check out your carrier’s web site for more information about good shipping practices.
UPS
Fed Ex
DHL
December 26th, 2006
The schedule is out for the trade show and educational program at the 32nd Winter Fancy Food Show held in San Francisco. The trade show will be held January 21 - 23, 2007. Educational events start on January 19th.
Of special interest to gift basket business owners will be the “Pricing Gift Baskets for Maximum Profit” seminar. This is a topic often brought up by our customers who are new to the business as well as seasoned veterans.
Other seminars covering marketing, relationships with suppliers and connecting with customers will offer attendees the opportunity to gather a wealth of great information for improving business practices.
NASFT’s website has a complete schedule of the educational program, a list of exhibitors, and registration information. You may also want to check out the “Focused Exhibits” section of the web site for a preview of new products that will be displayed at the show.
December 18th, 2006
Although the holidays have not yet arrived, it’s not too soon to start thinking about planning for 2007. And trade shows should be an important part of your business plans. Keeping up with the newest products and trends in the industry is vital for keeping your business growing.
Coffee Fest, a specialty coffee and gourmet tea trade show, will be held this year in Chicago, February 23-25, 2007. With more than 250 exhibiting booths, Coffee Fest strives to showcase everything about the specialty coffee and tea industry. From allied products such as biscotti, flavoring syrups and smoothie mixes to coffee, tea, and brewing and serving equipment, you’ll learn all you need to know about this important part of the gourmet food industry.
In addition to the trade show, 50 free seminars will be available for attendees interested in learning more the beverage industry as well as topics pertaining to good business practices. For more information, visit Coffeefest.com.
And while you’re thinking about coffees and teas, visit Apex Gift Foods to see our extensive selection of beverages for your holiday baskets!
December 15th, 2006
You’ve hired a few people to help out over the holidays. It’s already getting busy and they haven’t even started. So what do you want them to do?
Make your part-timers a valuable part of your team. Before they start working, here are some things you can do to help them do their best.
1. Think out exactly what do you want them to do.
- List the specific tasks that you expect them to carry out. It’s not enough to say: “shipping”. You need to list all the things that are involved in shipping (packing, weighing boxes, labeling, etc.)
- Talk to your full time employees to find out where they think some extra hands would be a help.
2. Once you’ve identified the specific tasks, write down all of the skills and knowledge that are required to do that task.
- For example, if you want a part-timer to pack baskets for shipping, she needs to know what packing supplies will be used, where all the supplies are kept, how to wrap and pack to reduce the possibility of damage, how to tape and label the package, and so on.
- If you want a part-timer to answer the phone and take orders, she has a lot more to learn! She’ll need to know about the products you carry, the specific designs you’re offering, questions to ask (name, address, phone, etc) and much more.
3. Set aside time on the employee’s first day to explain everything you want them to do…and explain in detail!
- Then, set up a training schedule and teach all the specific tasks that make up the job you expect them to do. You don’t need to do all of the training. Your full time staff has lots of experience and know-how that can benefit your part-timers.
4. Make sure she knows how to find answers to questions that may arise: where to go or who to ask.
Preparing for part-time employees can be a time consuming project. But the time it takes to train them properly will save lots of time and energy during those extra busy holidays.
December 11th, 2006
December 4th was Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day. What a perfect time to let your employees know how much you appreciate them!
Take some time in the next week or so to celebrate your employees’ efforts. The busiest time of the year is quickly approaching and you’ll be expecting a lot from your staff. Before it gets really busy, have an early Holiday party. Point out individual’s contributions through out the year: special projects they completed, difficult customers they soothed, the extra mile taken to finish a job on time.
This can be a terrific morale boost that will relieve some of the stress in the hectic weeks ahead.
December 7th, 2006
How many times have you heard that 80% of your sales are generated from 20% of your customers? See Alan Rigg’s article in the November/December issue of Gift Basket Review to find out how this rule also applies to salespeople.
If you have several people in your company that are involved in sales, read this article to find out why certain staff outperforms others. Rigg emphasizes the need to get objective information when considering new hires or evaluating your current staff.
Twelve areas of questioning are suggested, including communication skills, attitude, energy and independence. He also lists a few areas for assessment that are not commonly considered: emotional toughness, independence, and learning rate.
This article offers great ideas for determining which people will fit most comfortably in that sales position which is so critical to the success of your business.
December 4th, 2006
