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Always Improve Your Store

What have you accomplished today? Questions, like this one, force you to reflect on your daily situation. The process of asking questions will lead you to examination, then to realization and eventually to planning. Questions are simply a process of reflection. You should make this process a positive one, helping you to gradually build a more productive week, month and year. We've all heard quotes such as, “Hope is not a plan" or “Fail to plan, plan to fail". These became a part of our culture as a kind of queue for you to question your path to progress. Simply by reflecting on your day, you will begin to develop your own strategic planning process. It is this process that will help you to grow and improve in business and in life.

 

The retail industry does not always lend itself to an abundance of free thinking time. As a retail manager you have to be efficient in your use of time and resources. By asking a simple question like “What have I accomplished today?" can be one of your most effective retail management tools. Your answer should be written down.

 

The simple act of writing down your accomplishments will help commit the process to memory and give you a clear point of reference to plan for other tasks that will become your next set of daily duties. For many retail managers this gives them a great sense of accomplishment. After all, it's easy for any retailer to get lost in the fog of everyday busy work.

 

You will begin to ask yourself “What do I want to accomplish?" rather than “What have I accomplished?". You will find yourself planning the night before or on your way to work. Place a pen and paper in your car and close to your breakfast table so you can write down your plan no matter where you might be. As the days go by you will find that these lists keep you on track even on those chaotic days. As retail manager you will find it easier to stay on track and your store will befit greatly. You will also find that your list will not always be completed everyday. Don't be discouraged by this. You will find a realistic balance between your plan and your accomplishments.

 

Once you have mastered the art of questioning, examining and strategic planning, you will be well on your way to becoming the retailer you have always wanted to be. Your path to progress is one that you set. Yes, it is just an organizational exercise, but one that is well worth the effort. Retail can be chaotic and your daily thoughts and ideas are far to precious to be lost forever due to a busy day or an interruption in your thoughts. Some of our greatest ideas come to us in an instant, and can also leave us in an instant. Keep your store on a path to improvement.