Archive for August, 2007
Specialty Food Magazine, July 2007, includes an article by Ari Weinzweig entitled “Ten Rules for Great Finance”. The author believes that a successful business must utilize what he calls “open-book finance”. Employees need to understand that everything they do affects the bottom line. And to come to this understanding, they need to know how it all works.
I haven’t been able to find an on-line link to the article so you’ll need to get your hands on a copy of the July magazine. Read the full article to learn Weinzweig’s ten rules of open-book finance. Employees learn the basics of finance: “Sales - Expenses = Profit”. They go on to learn where the profit goes. Most importantly, they learn how small efforts on their part can add immeasurably to the bottom line.
In the article, the author tells a story about how an employee saved the company $2700 per year by noticing that sugar cubes, served with coffee in their shop, were often thrown out (they had to be discarded cause they were unwrapped). By switching to sugar packets (in paper), these could be left for others if the customer didn’t use sugar.
In addition to these types of savings, employees can also add to the bottom by using some good sales techniques. At Apex Gift Foods, we also sell floral supplies in addition to gourmet food components. I encourage sales staff to ask each customer with whom they speak whether they need a roll of tape or some other small, basic supply used every day when assembling gift baskets. These small items usually cost a dollar or two. Now do the math: if each salesperson sells an extra roll of tape at $1.00 to each customer, and he speaks to 20 customers a day, this will be $20 in extra sales. Now, multiply that by the number of sales people at Apex (five) and that equals $100 per day in extra sales. Now multiply that by the number of days in the year…well, you get the point!
Knowing how their efforts affect the bottom line is just as important as knowing how to create a gorgeous gift basket. Help your employees learn how your business works. Make them a partner in your success!
August 28th, 2007
Many of your customers who appreciate gourmet foods want to know “the story” behind the products they buy. Consumers are increasingly interested in learning about the products they purchase. To satisfy your customers’ “appetites” for information, you need to make an extra effort to learn about the products you buy.
When you go to a trade show, take time to talk with the manufacturers of the products you include in your gourmet baskets. Learn how the product is made; ask about ingredients and packaging. If you can’t attend trade shows, contact manufacturers to get “sell sheets” and marketing materials that lists the features of the products they make. Also, read trade publications, such as Gourmet News, Gourmet Retailer, Specialty Foods, and Fancy Foods to learn more about particular food categories. For example, you may find a story about how chocolates are made, or a primer on healthy snacks.
Also check out the Apex Gift Foods web site. Information is continually be added about about the products that are featured on the site. Future postings on this blog will also include interesting “tidbits” about gourmet products sold at Apex. Educate yourself and “feed” your customers the information that they crave. They’ll appreciate your efforts!
Mark your calendar: The Atlanta Gourmet Market will be held September 8-10, 2007. For more information, go to AmericasMartAtlanta web site.
August 25th, 2007
Sometimes, it seemed to me, that handling employees was one of the hardest parts of running my business. Trying to help employees learn all they needed to know was a time consuming and occasionally, a frustrating task.
I recently read a book entitled ” “. The authors posed an interesting perspective (one I never considered) on how to get the most from your employees. Instead of trying to “fix” employees and attempting to teach them a slew of new skills, we can capitalize of their strengths. In other words, we can let our employees excel in those areas where they’ve already demonstrated skills and a high level of interest.
Take a careful look at your employees, and how they spend their time each day. For example, you may have one employee who loves to talk. In fact, you wish she’d talk a little less and work a little more! Why not use that person in your customer service department. Put her to work answering the phone and helping walk-in customers if you have a store-front. Let her use her personality strengths and skills to sell your products!
You may have noticed that one of your employees keeps a notebook and is constantly writing notes and reminders for herself about her personal projects. This person may be good at attending to details. Why not try her out at helping with the details of managing your inventory. Or let the employee who can add up figures in her mind help you at the cash register or with other bookkeeping activities.
Talk to your employees about their interests. Watch them at work and get a sense of the tasks they perform easily and those that they avoid. Try to capitalize on their strengths and interests and they’ll do a better job for you.
August 21st, 2007
See Flora Brown’s web site: Gift Basket Biz Tips for information and techniques that will help you in all aspects of your gift basket business. This information has been gathered from many successful gift basket designers and business owners.
You’ll learn about basket design and delivery, how to attract new customers, managing your inventory, and basic business strategies. Make sure that you bookmark this web site and go back frequently to visit and learn!
August 14th, 2007
Shirley Frazier, author of “How to Start a Home Based Gift Basket Business” and “The Gift Basket Design Book”, publishes a weekly newsletter that is a “must-read” for gift basket business owners. You’ll find information about basket design, business tips, a dazzling array of resources, and links to Shirley’s blog as well as many other interesting web sites that will help you grow your gift basket business.
Go to Shirley’s web site: Gift Basket Business.com to sign up for her newsletter.
August 13th, 2007
Sending a gourmet gift basket is a heartfelt way to express condolences. Foods are often an important element in funeral traditions that families and friends follow as they work through the process of grieving. Most cultures have specific traditions that include certain foods to mark the passing of a loved one. For more information on funeral culinary traditions, check this web site.
Also, check out Apex Gift Foods‘ new line of sympathy gifts. Parchtone Scrolls and Books of Love can be included in your sympathy basket. Your customers will appreciate your offering them a way to express their feelings with an everlasting gift.
August 10th, 2007
The holiday season will be here before we know it! For all types of gift businesses, the holidays are the time of year when we are the busiest!
While we still have some “breathing room” this summer, it’s a great time to check out new products that you will want to include in your Fall and Holiday gourmet gift baskets.
Apex Gift Foods is about Xtras! Apex has added many new products to it’s gourmet gift basket selections for 2007-2008.
In addition to unique, shelf stable basket components, Apex’s new line includes a collection of ready made gourmet baskets, as well as a luxurious selection of Spa Products: Bath and Body lotions, scrubs and bubble baths.
And to make doing business with Apex more “rewarding”, check out Apex’s new Rewards Program. You can earn gift cards to major retailers and restaurants when purchasing from Apex.
Go to Apex Gift Foods to request your new catalog and find out how Apex Xtras will help you be more profitable!
August 7th, 2007
“The airline industry for years has used frequent-flier programs, enticing consumers to fly more with the promise of perks and prizes. Now some restaurant companies are using the same strategy, rolling out electronic loyalty cards that reward consumers for eating and drinking more.” Full Story
This morning, a new rewards program was introduced at Apex Gift Foods. Basically, customers earn gift cards to major retailers and restaurants when purchasing from Apex. Go to Apex Gift Foods for program details and earn 100 bonus points just for signing up.
And think about using a rewards program to entice your customers to buy more from you!
August 3rd, 2007
“New ingredients, flavor combinations, and innovative uses for well-known ingredients will drive excitement in consumers gourmet food choices.” According to an article in Specialty Food Magazine, July, 2007, your customers are ready to try something different!
Check out some wild flavor combinations at Apex Gift Foods. Sweet and hot blend together in Raspberry Wasabi Dipping Mustard. Or try Blueberry Crackers and Cranberry Crackers with your favorite Pepper Cheese. Chocolate covered Potato Chips and Chocolate Covered Pretzels, combining sweet and salty, will become your customers’ all time favorites.
Be sure to go to Apex Gift Foods to see new products that are being added every day! You can delight your customers with something new!!!!
August 2nd, 2007
