Archive for March, 2008
This year, Administrative Professionals Week will be celebrated April 20th-26th. It is always observed during the last full week in April. According to IAAP, the International Association of Administrative Professionals, “this annual event was originally organized in 1952 as National Secretaries Week. It was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers”.
In Volume 5, Issue 1 of Rave Reviews Magazine, author Gayle Gallager gives some great advice about how to make the most of this holiday. “You have to please two bosses on this occasion. Your gift recipient is the boss you have to please with your gift. Your customer is the BIG BOSS who must be pleased with the convenience, service and value that you provide.”
With this mind, take the time to investigate what will work best by interviewing both the “bosses”. Talk to some business owners that you know and find out what they would be willing to spend for a gift. Then talk to some administrative professionals and find out what type of gifts they would prefer to receive. By doing some informal research, you can please both “bosses” and make this a profitable holiday for your gift basket business.
March 25th, 2008
On the Gourmet Retailer web site, you can learn how to execute promotions that work! Several retailers shared their ideas about creative and fun promotions that have worked for them.
Chris Beykirch, a retailer who offered some ideas for the article suggests the following ideas that will help you be successful. Here are a few of his tips. Read the full article for more great ideas.
“Place someone outside your store to help people remember to come in that day. Ask vendors to provide merchandise to give away throughout the day. Free items always attract crowds.”
“HAVE FUN. No event should ever be so stressful that you hate it. Bring in balloons, set up posters and treat your staff to a catered lunch.”
“Get things ready at least two weeks before the event so that it is a low-stress day. Make sure the entire staff is on hand to help customers on the day of the promotion.”
I’ve also mentioned before that Gourmet Retailer Magazine includes a promotional calendar in every issue that highlights special holidays and events for each month of the year. Here are some ideas to help you plan great promotions for May, 2008.
May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. a Mexican holiday that celebrates freedom and liberty! Create a basket of Mexican gourmet favorites and promote this to your customers. If you have a Mexican grocery store or restaurant in your neighborhood, join forces to promote both your businesses.
May 7th is National Nurses Day. For any of your customers who work in the health care industry, offer a discount on a basket of their choice.
National Chocolate Chip Day is May 15th. Just imagine a whole basket full of delicious chocolate chip cookies. Include your favorites from a variety of manufacturers and ask your customers to vote for their favorites.
May is also Family Wellness Month, National Barbeque Month, and National Military Appreciation Day. Share your ideas with others for unique baskets and promotions that you can build around these holidays.
March 19th, 2008
This year, the Jewish holiday of Passover will be celebrated April 19th – 27th. Passover is a holiday that commemorates the time in history when the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt.
If you are planning to promote gourmet baskets for this holiday, now is time to learn more about the holiday traditions and guides about kosher foods that are permissible for the celebration.
To give you some backround about the holiday, check out these links:
For a line of kosher, gourmet treats, go to Apex Gift Foods.
March 17th, 2008
April is Couples Appreciation month. How about designing “his and her” gift baskets?
Start your design in a handsome wood trunk. Add some sweet cookies, hard candies packed in lovely tins or decorative boxes and herbal teas for her. Select a robust salsa, crunchy chips, and spicy sausage for him. Then, find out about special interests of both recipients and add some special gifts for both: music, books, games, movie passes, or a gift certificate for couples cooking classes.
Choose fillers and ribbons that will work for your “his and her” design. For example, a sunny orange sherbet sizzle pack matched with a bold yellow and orange striped ribbon would create a cheerful palate. Or follow the trends with teal shredded parchment paired with a luxurious double face dot ribbon.
Create a new holiday and new tradition for your customers for Couples Appreciation Month!
March 11th, 2008
