150 Sears & Kmart Stores to Close

This article is a good resource for the state of current affairs at Sears & Kmart.


Retail Dive Article

Pick Up the Phone & Put Down the Email

Talking to someone directly is so much better than email.  You get to hear the inflection in their voice.  You get to talk things out and work through issues.  You get to achieve goals in a fraction of the time it would take to do it via email. 

 

Oh, and by the way, talking directly might help you form a new relationship or help strengthen an existing one.  We’re in the relationship business, so, surprise, surprise, we need to work on building and cultivating relationships.

 

Only send an email when it is appropriate.  Only send an email when it is the right thing to do and the best way to communicate a message.  Otherwise, direct conversation still rules the day. 

 

Email is an epidemic today.  People and companies are simply sending too many.  We could sit all day and push emails without ever producing a product or results.  Next time you look at your inbox and begin to work on your emails, stop.  Think, "Do I really need to send this email, or can I pick up the phone and make a call?"  Your clients, their inbox, and your inbox will all appreciate it. 

 

Thank You,

Rob

Starbucks Expanding

Starbucks opening more domestic stores, stores in China, and their new high-end Reserve stores. 


ICSC Article


QSR Magazine Article

2 Minutes Left & You're Down a Goal

The holidays allow me some time to work on a post or two that are more philosophical than newsworthy.  This article is one of those posts. 

In case you haven’t noticed, our business requires we move at an extremely fast pace.  So much happens, so fast, it’s like sports.  Just like in sports, you need to work like there’s only 2 minutes left in the game and you’re down a goal.  Imagine you’re playing under those circumstances, I’m going to bet you’re hustling.  Who likes to lose?  I hate it.  It drives me.  The thought of not giving it your best, the thought of losing, turns my stomach.

If you are a broker, your income is purely commission.  Can you afford to go slow?  Can you afford to get in late?  Can you afford to operate at 75%?  You may need the alarm in the morning, but it shouldn’t be what gets you out of bed.  You shouldn’t need to think whether you need to stay a little bit longer to make one more phone call or send one more email.   We are only on this “ride” once.  Do your best!

Clients, referrals, good teammates and your reputation are all precious.  You have to treat clients with the respect and give them the service they deserve.  Otherwise, someone will be happy to do it for you.  When you hire and work with the best teammates, they make the long grind playing with urgency so much more fun.  Even if you are working at your maximum, you will still achieve more clients and they will be happier when you’re having fun.  The right team is wonderful and they provide you the motivation necessary to work at such a faster pace and be so much more productive.  Someone once said to me, “many hands make light work”.  It makes sense, doesn’t it?

Play (work) with purpose, play with urgency, leave nothing on the field.

Bass Pro Buying Cabela's

ICSC Article

Kmart to Close at Least 24 More Kmarts by End of 2016

Consumerist Article

64 Kmarts Closing...The List

USA Today Article