Great Ideas Just by Shopping

Great Ideas Just by Shopping

'Tis the season to be jolly, unless you hate holiday shopping and the rush, time lost, and expense that come with it. This is truly a season of joy, so get your shopping done early and enjoy it.

Why not try something a little different this year? Instead of just shopping for gifts, why not go idea shopping as well? Turn those holiday crowds into a business opportunity! Let me explain.

Have you ever wondered what may make your customers upset while they are shopping or doing business with you? Have you ever stopped and wondered what they really want?

When you go into a store what do you look for? What would make your life easier? What would make your shopping experience complete? Have you ever been in a store and said to yourself, "How does this place stay in business? The number of dissatisfied customers they have must grow on a daily basis!"

Do some shopping today and look for things that aggravate you. The long lines? The crowds in the parking lot? The people standing at the doors wanting donations? I'm sure you'll come up with all sorts of things. Make a note of all the situations that bother you, and come up with solutions for those that you can implement in your business.

For example

You dislike crowds. How can you make your establishment seem less crowded? Could you make sure the aisles are wider? If you're selling a hot item, make sure it's in a place where many people can stand side by side comfortably. If you're running an online business, make your customers feel that they aren't competing for your attention by returning e-mails quickly and shipping your products out before the rush to make sure they'll arrive in time.

Eliminating the smallest irritations can make the biggest difference. Why? Because your customers may never complain to you about those things because they seem childish or insignificant. But they're still irritated! So if a cashier is taking too much time or calling for a price check every minute, address this issue. This holiday season, every time you shop, shop for ideas as well. Ask yourself, "What's missing here? How can I apply this to my business?"

Here's another example:

You need help locating an item in a department store. You notice that there is no one to help you. You roam the aisles looking for assistance. Still nothing. So you go up to the front desk to ask for assistance. They say they'll send someone over. As you wait, you come up with the idea of an intercom system that people could press for assistance. You take on some extra staff for the season, implement your idea, and through word of mouth, your store is soon filled with satisfied customers.

Ideas are all around you, be open to them. It's a critical time for shoppers, so go out and do some idea shopping before the rush!

That's the way I see it.
Acey Gaspard
A Touch of Business.com

[ More Article by Acey Gaspard ]

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