The Resilient Retail Game Plan

Whether it’s businesses reappraising their supply chains or ditching plastic, HR departments extending their range of opportunities for more inclusive leave, or customers shopping more consciously, we’ve seen a real shift in recent years regarding attitudes towards environmental, human and social impact. But for every brand with a genuine desire to use business as a force for good, there’s a large number out there greenwashing their brands in pursuit of pure profit. That’s where B Corps steps in. Founded in 2006, the B Corp movement, through a rigorous certification process, seeks to review a business’s social and environmental performance and hold them accountable through making legal and transparent commitments to prioritising the planet and people as well as profit. In episode 102 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Sarah Jordan, founder of Y.O.U. Underwear, the UK’s most highly rated B Corp business. After visiting Uganda in 2016 and seeing how a lack of access to underwear was creating adverse knock-on effects for women, Sarah developed her fashion business, building sustainability and philanthropy into the brand from the very get-go. In this episode, we cover all things ‘B Corps’, from the in and outs of the certification process to its many benefits. We also discuss developing a brand's personality through its principles, making best practice part of your business’s DNA and how, at the moment, there’s no such thing as business as normal. Check out Sarah’s range of amazing products at https://www.youunderwear.com/ and connect with the brand at: https://twitter.com/youunderwearuk https://www.facebook.com/YOUunderwearUK/ https://www.instagram.com/youunderwearuk/ and to find out more about B Corps head to: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/ https://bcorporation.uk/

We’re not quite post-pandemic yet, but the shops are open, trade shows are back and retail, for the most part, has got back into the swing of things. This doesn’t mean however that anyone’s seeing anything approaching ’normal’ when it comes to sales. With the shift from shopping online in lockdown to the current desire for consumers to hit the high street, many businesses have seen their sales plummet and with the cost of living crisis reductions in spending are expected to continue. With all this uncertainty, it might be time, if you’re not already doing it, to think about getting involved in wholesale. In episode 101 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Therese Ortenblad, founder of the Small Business Collaborative, about the relatively steady world of wholesale, and how a mix of third-party services, trade shows connections and organic outreach could mean you see a bit more stability in your sales and security in your business. In this episode we discuss the importance of building loyalty with retailers, tapping into the current market trends and the benefits of attending real-world trade shows. We also touch on stepping outside our social media echo chambers, ditching the excuses and meeting our customers where they are. Get in touch about working with Therese at https://www.smallbusinesscollaborative.co.uk/ and connect with her: https://www.instagram.com/small_business_collaborative/ https://www.facebook.com/smallbusinesscollaborative/ https://www.tiktok.com/@smallbusinesscollab Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

After almost exactly two years since it started and with over 53,000 downloads at the time of recording, I’m incredibly pleased to say that we’ve reached episode 100 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to have had so many amazing guests join me on the podcast, and I’m deeply grateful for the time and expertise they’ve all shared, but this wouldn’t happen without you, the listeners, and I can’t thank you enough for tuning in, getting in touch and coming on this Resilient Retail journey with me. In today's episode, to celebrate the stories and tips you've found most valuable, we revisit the top five guest episodes as charted by you, the listener. We’ll start with Lucy Werner and the concept of personal branding, cover the importance of having a laugh and the value of your own small business community with smallbizmemez and Khaleelah Jones helps illuminate the rather tricky topics of SEO and digital marketing ecosystems. My ex-apprentice Charis Varley will then give us the lowdown on the power of TikTok and we’ll wrap up with Charlotte Pierce as we discuss the impact of taking an analogue approach in a digital world. Thank you again to all my guests and listeners - here's to 100 more Resilient Retail success stories - see you next time!

As the fourth largest social media platform in the world, Instagram has undoubtedly become ubiquitous with the way we connect, interact and for us as product business owners, how we market and even sell our goods. In my conversations with other founders and throughout the course of my consulting, the subject of ‘the ‘gram’ comes up with great regularity - there are plenty of success stories to share from the platform, but more often than not it seems that a lot of small businesses have a relatively rocky relationship with the app. I would venture that, for users, the main issue, as a content-led platform, is that the focus on which content Instagram prioritises has moved on from the humble days of curated image grids, and this will likely continue to evolve as the platform and its competitors grow. So, in this episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to cover how Instagram has and continues to change and detail some of the pitfalls of relying on a third-party platform to run your business. We’ll talk stats and look at how MAU (Monthly Active User) numbers and conversion rates play their part in your business’ success and we’ll also ask ourselves some potentially tough questions regarding our need for validation and whether the platform is really to blame for slumps in sales. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. If you want more practical advice and tips on growing your sales in 2022, come and join my free workshop happening on 29th June - sign up here: www.resilientretailclub.com/grow2022

In episode 98 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Vicky Simmons, founder of the brutally honest, sarcastic greeting cards company, Mean Mail. Inspired by the way friends talk to each other and Oscar Wilde’s famous quote “True friends stab you in the front”, Vicky’s designs are available in over 100 stockists internationally and have been commissioned by some of the world’s biggest brands. From the importance of originality to starting and staying sustainable, Vicky and I cover the ins and outs of her product business journey and talk about the moments that truly tested her. In today's podcast, we discuss hiring people for their enthusiasm and energy, dropping the blame game and owning our mistakes and the positive potential of ‘poly-work’. We also talk about the proliferation of greenwashing, the learning moments to be gained from working with stockists and staying resilient in the face of legal challenges and copycats. Check out Vicky’s amazing range of greetings cards at: https://meanmail.co/ and connect with Mean Mail at: https://www.facebook.com/meanmail.co https://twitter.com/meanmail https://www.instagram.com/meanmail/ Also, don’t forget to head over to https://www.resilientretailclub.com/grow2022 to sign up for my free online workshop. Reserve your spot for June 29th at 11 am (UK time) and I'll run you through: An industry-wide update - what are the bigger forces at work that are impacting your business Three key pitfalls that many businesses are making What you can learn from the businesses that continue to thrive See you there!

From content recommendations tailored to viewing habits, to refilling prescriptions via a smartphone, the growing convergence of tech and personalisation continues to provide consumers with more and more specific options in an ever-increasingly efficient package. We’re used to Amazon suggesting additional purchases based on our previous orders and are likely all familiar with being offered something to ‘watch next’ on Youtube - but there are now a number of industries outside typical retail that are seeing the benefits and potential in leveraging e-commerce tech and media to better serve their clients. In today's episode of The Resilient Retail Game plan, I speak to the founder and CEO of The Healing Company, Simon Belsham. With a vision to inspire and lead the way to a healthier world through effective alternative healing methods, Simon and The Healing Company aim to build a community of brands that focus on promoting wellness and improving people's quality of life by harnessing the tech tools of e-commerce and offering personalised healthcare solutions. In this podcast, we talk about experiential retail and how immersive consumer offerings are being made possible via technology and how understanding people's stories helps businesses and brands personalise solutions for their customers. We also discuss the importance of close personal connections in securing trusted recommendations and the role social media and dark social play in customer conversations. Connect with The Healing Company at: https://www.healingcompany.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehealingcompany/ https://www.instagram.com/theheal_co/ https://twitter.com/theheal_co And finally, for extra help navigating the choppy waters of 2022, don’t forget to head over to https://www.resilientretailclub.com/grow2022 to sign up for my free online workshop. Reserve your spot for June 29th at 11 am (UK time) and I'll run you through: An industry-wide update - what are the bigger forces at work that are impacting your business Three key pitfalls that many businesses are making What you can learn from the businesses that continue to thrive See you there!

In episode 96 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to the founder and CEO of Grind Coffee, David Abrahamovitch. Since starting with their first high-street space in Shoreditch back in 2011, Grind has expanded across the capital and into the homes of coffee lovers everywhere, with their amazing home compostable coffee pods and subscription service. After nearly a decade of hard work building their brand and refining their products, the footfall at Grind’s physical shops (as did everyone’s) ground to a halt in 2020 as COVID-19 swept across the globe. However, thanks to making the right investments, the right choices, and a considerable dollop of luck, Grind were able to pivot from having their digital offering account for less than 1% of their business pre-pandemic shift to replacing all the business they lost as a consequence of the pandemic - and the business has been forever changed since. In today’s podcast, we discuss the critical importance of brand building and how your physical and digital offerings need to be working in tandem to make the best gains. We also talk about the confusion surrounding modern sustainability credentials, the greenwashing that comes with it, as well as some of the incredible statistics when it comes to coffee production and the subsequent waste the industry produces. Check out Grind at: https://grind.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/grind/ https://www.facebook.com/grind

Whether it’s via 1-2-1 calls or strategy meetings, through my mentoring sessions or community chat, or in-person and at live events, as you’d expect, I speak to many, many product business owners on a daily basis. And when you literally ‘talk shop’ day-to-day, as I do, you begin to not only start seeing patterns in the way that businesses operate and the ways in which the industry works, but you also gain important insights into the personal experiences of founders - and the main thing I’m hearing at the moment is that things feel tough. So, in episode 95 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to give you a bit of a pep talk. I in no way want to diminish or underestimate the effect that inflation, the war in Ukraine, the cost of living and energy costs are having on everyone's lives (business owner or not). What I do want to do is help you focus on the things that are within your control and help you to feel more sure-footed in a time of great instability. In this podcast, we’ll discuss the risks inherent in blaming poor sales on external factors, and the importance of asking more of yourself. We’ll also talk about revitalising your products and why securing a supplementary income could be the best thing for your business.

When everything’s going well and your top-line sales are growing, it can be easy to forget to keep an eye on your actual profitability. I hardly need to remind you that the last few years have been, in a word - turbulent, and the current economic climate is by no means balmy and pleasant, with rising costs and low customer confidence abound. Despite all this instability, some businesses have seen real growth. But as retail conditions continue to change and in some cases begin to stabilise, many business owners might notice a shift in their pace of growth and a consequent shift in their profits. In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to take a look at the profit potential of your business and the five main areas that make up those very profits. We’ll discuss your ‘in-margin’ and the pressures impinging upon it, your ‘out-margin’ and how to avoid eroding it, the concept of ‘turning stock’ and, in turn, the need to actively plan out and analyse the productivity of your inventory, as well as identifying and managing your fixed costs.

When it comes down to it there are just four core ways to increase your sales - to get more people to buy your products, to get those people to buy more from you, to have those customers spend more with you than they will have done previously, and finally, to get those customers to come back and buy more often. But as we all know, making any one of these things happen, let alone consistently, is a lot easier said than done. That’s why it’s imperative, as tempting as it might be, to not get caught up on quick-fix tactics and to start putting a solid sales strategy in place. An effective strategy relies on a myriad of things to succeed, you need to start making considered choices and decisions across the board, from your social media channels to email automation, if you want to see your traffic flow and steadily convert. In today’s episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I discuss important strategic areas to focus on and nurture, from customer retention to non-competitive collabs, as well as how vital tracking your strategy’s effectiveness is. We’ll also cover getting the most out of your bestsellers and how if you want to be truly successful you need to serve your customer's needs and ignite their desires.

Websites have come a long way from the bare-bones HTML pages of the early 90s to the slick world-wide-web we inhabit today. Affordable DIY platforms, ranging from the drop-and-drag simplicity of Squarespace to the well-built infrastructure of Shopify have allowed small business owners to access the tools of the trade that were typically the reserve of big brands and flourish. Whether you’re running your business from an Etsy page or have coded your own storefront on WordPress, your website plays a pivotal role in reaching your customers in the digital age. But with the constant evolution in buying habits, married with the impact that widespread global uncertainty has on markets and spending, it can be difficult to know how to best harness your little corner of the internet in a sea of online competitors. In episode 92 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Aime Cox-Tennant, founder and managing director of web design studio - Studio Cotton. Supporting independent brands since 2016, Studio Cotton blends the latest tried-and-tested website design expertise with a tailored, personal approach. In this podcast, we discuss the vital importance of SEO, UX and accessibility to making sure your site is discoverable, functional and useable, as well as why it makes sense to take your site-building lead from the big high street brands. We also debate the power of the oft-neglected blog and how being human is usually the best way to your customers' wallets (via their hearts!). Check out Studio Cotton at https://studiocotton.co.uk/ And connect with Aime and the studio at: https://www.instagram.com/studio.cotton/ https://twitter.com/studiocottonuk https://www.facebook.com/studiocottonuk

You need only take a quick scan of the apps on your smartphone to see how dramatically the landscape of social media has changed since Facebook got the ball rolling in earnest all those years ago. Social media has not only been at the forefront of adopting and trialling new tech but in many cases platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been the change-makers themselves, tweaking their platforms, prioritising content and harnessing data in an effort to win the fight for your attention (and cash!) in an increasingly competitive digital market. In today's episode, I speak to Thomas Rankin, the co-founder and CEO of Dash Hudson, an all-in-one social entertainment marketing software platform for the world's biggest brands. Helping to create and share photos and videos that people care about, Dash Hudson empowers brands to predict performance, analyse trends, and accelerate growth across key visual marketing and e-commerce channels. In today's podcast, we drill down into the collision of culture and tech that is social entertainment, and how it marks a sharp shift from a focus on connections and curated content to of-the-moment and organic entertainment. We also discuss the opportunities on offer for those willing to take risks and remain creatively flexible as well as how influencer marketing has evolved to include ‘creators’ and will continue to in the future. Get in touch with Thomas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rankinthomas/ And connect with Dash Hudson at: https://www.dashhudson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dashhudson/ https://www.tiktok.com/@dashhudson https://www.facebook.com/DashHudsonForBrands/ https://twitter.com/DashHudson/ Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

When it comes to the world of e-commerce, the name Etsy has become pretty much synonymous with small businesses, especially in terms of hand-made products and independently-crafted gifts. Since its foundation in 2005, the platform has changed a great deal on its own terms but has also kept pace with the shifting landscape of the internet, the rise (and dominance) of social media, and the general advances in digital tech. For all these reasons, Etsy remains an invaluable tool in the selling kit of almost any small product business, whether you’re an established business owner or just starting out, and in today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan I speak to seasoned Etsy seller and expert, Lauren Keplinger, about how to make the most out of the platform. An active seller since 2012, Lauren’s success with her monogrammed baby products has seen her go on to help businesses with their Etsy performance whilst helping them maintain a healthy work/life balance. In this podcast, we discuss the benefits of Etsy’s built-in traffic and brand name recognition, the core differences between the platform's international markets and the expectations from customers on the visual presentation of your products. We also drill down into what Lauren has coined ‘Hyper Narrow Markets’ and debate the need for highly-specific products lines in a crowded and competitive marketplace. Check out Lauren’s services at https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/ Browse her wonderful baby products at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyMonkeyChildren Listen to Lauren’s own podcast ‘Crickets to Cha-Chings’ at https://www.laurenkeplinger.com/podcast Connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.keplinger/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9TgtrJdkO_K634jtyi0S8g Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

Throughout the course of this podcast, as part of my many presentations and in discussions with numerous clients, I’ve talked a lot about the importance of multiple income streams. In a world that’s constantly changing and with ever-evolving technology that repeatedly lowers the barriers to entry in regards to reaching your current and future customers, it’s vital that we all keep on trying out different things and looking at different ways of promoting our products - in doing so we can all hope to build and run an effective and efficient business. In episode 89 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to illustrator and founder of Plewsy, Fiona Fawcett. With a background in Graphic Design, Fiona started her business back in 2015 with the help of The Princes Trust, and after initially starting her small business journey selling wholesale, she’s now added direct-to-consumer to her list of revenue streams and is a perfect example of a business owner who has embraced different ways of selling to great success. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of compartmentalising your time and how invaluable training yourself can be to the resilience of your business. We also discuss the renewed energy we've sensed around trade shows (post-lockdown), the value of interacting with your customers face-to-face, and how a hybrid model of selling offline and online is the future for a world where people want to buy less from big brands and more from people. Check out Fiona’s products at https://plewsy.com/ and connect with her business at: https://www.facebook.com/helloplewsy https://www.instagram.com/helloplewsy/ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/helloplewsy/_shop/

The shift we've seen in recent years in regards to conscious consumerism and sustainability is encouraging - even some of the largest and historically wasteful retailers are coming to understand that if they want to survive into the future that they need to take a good, hard look at the way they operate and how they relate to their customer base. The ecological issues confronting us can seem insurmountable at times, but as business owners big and small, we can all play a part in shifting the dial back into the green In episode 88 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to “Mary Queen of Shops”, the esteemed retail consultant and broadcaster herself, Mary Portas! Author of ‘Work Like a Woman’ and ‘Rebuild’, we spend today's episode discussing how to thrive in the Kindness Economy and about taking the first steps toward small business sustainability. And if that wasn’t enough I also got in touch with Nicky Chenery, the general manager of Safety Culture, a cutting-edge operations platform that aims to empower front line workers through auditing and micro-learning tools. We talk about harnessing data and using insights to reduce waste, streamline processes and help take responsibility for our business practices. In today’s podcast, we cover a wide range of subjects, from rethinking the relationships we have with our suppliers, to building positive micro habits into our day-to-day operations. We also discuss how customers don't just want to buy from brands - they want to buy into them, why we ultimately need to rethink the concept of growth and how if we really want to change the world, we just need to start where we are. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. Connect with Mary on her social channels here: https://www.instagram.com/maryportasofficial/ https://twitter.com/maryportas Sign up for the Better Business Act here: https://betterbusinessact.org/ Connect with Nicky at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickychenery/ Find out more about Safety Culture at: https://safetyculture.com/retail/

It’s been a strange few years and it doesn’t seem like we can expect an end to the unexpected any time soon. Off the back of a pandemic, we’re now experiencing a rise in the cost of living, climbing inflation and even further instability created by ongoing geopolitical events. It’s no surprise that all this is affecting consumers and retailers alike, and when things get tough and your sales slow down it’s sometimes hard to identify what the root cause might be, and all too easy to start feeling like you’re the problem. So, in today’s podcast, I want to assuage that fear and cover the five key factors impacting the retail industry right now: Consumer confidence, rising prices, the evolution of online, conscious consumerism and the growth of retention over acquisition. In this episode, I discuss how we can strengthen consumer confidence through more empathetic messaging, and how revisiting the ‘value triangle’ is integral to justifying the purchase of your products to nervous customers. I also touch on the growing importance of being a value-driven business that not only does no harm but does good and why leveraging online tools and upping your engagement with your warm audience should keep you and your business in good stead through tougher times. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. To check out the presentation mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.resilientretailclub.com/grow2022

As digital and social platforms have continually matured and as our use and dependence on them has grown, we’ve seen incredible advances made in the democratisation of retail. Through ever-evolving interactions of apps and the wide accessibility of online tools, we’re now at a point where commerce and content are becoming one - where creators are able to operate beyond continental boundaries, attract global audiences and design and produce niche products for loyal customers without leaving their keyboard. In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Chris Lamontagne, CEO of Spring, a global platform that works with creators, providing them with all the tools to produce and sell their own unique products, all the way from design, through to fulfilment, payment and beyond. In this podcast, we discuss how creators represent ‘the new brand’ and how a sense of community underpins the fervent fandom we see for accounts on platforms like TikTok and Youtube. We also talk about what sort of misleading audience metrics to look out for and how a digital platform’s comments and engagement tools are every creator’s secret sauce. To find out more about Spring, follow the links below: https://www.spri.ng/ https://www.instagram.com/springforcreators https://www.tiktok.com/@springforcreators https://www.twitch.tv/spring https://www.youtube.com/springforcreators

The internet, and by extension retail, has come a long way since 1983. From the first tentative purchases made over dial-up to today's lightning-fast one-click purchases made on the go, the speed at which e-commerce has grown has not only been exceptionally fast but the retail industry’s successful harnessing of technological trends has completely changed the way business is done. Whether you’re a boomer, a millennial or part of Gen-Z, you’re likely to be familiar, if not completely comfortable with the contemporary consumption options on offer - whether that’s browsing through Amazon on your laptop, ordering food on your smartphone or making a purchase through a social media account - but in an ever more digitalised world what’s next for retail? On today's podcast, I speak to Lindsey Mazza from Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation who help identify where their clients can go in the market to help fulfil their consumer promises. As Global Retail Lead Lindsey helps break down the much-hyped, often misunderstood Metaverse and how it’s being used as a powerful tool by some of the world’s biggest companies. In this episode, Lindsey helps explain and describe what the Metaverse actually is, how it operates and shares some of the success stories to have come out of this new space. We also discuss creating new experiences for customers that are both physical and digital, generational differences when it comes to tech adoption and how investing in the Metaverse as a new selling channel can help retailers to learn even more about their customers. To connect with Lindsey, head over to her LinkedIn and to find out more about Capgemini, follow the links below: Capgemini Retail & Consumer Goods LinkedIn page Capgemini’s CPR webpage Capgemini’s Consumer Trends Report 2022

Writing a book has been on my to-do list for quite a while now, and nothing lights a fire under your feet and gets a project moving than telling people you’re working on something - so here I am, sharing an excerpt from the unedited first draft of my yet to be released book! My goal has been to make a practical book that covers three main objectives: To allow readers to self-diagnose their businesses and to help highlight the challenges that are unique to product businesses To help readers understand and measure the key numbers within their businesses and identify what areas need attention And to help readers to use all this information to plan for the future accordingly I find it’s often the case that people start their own businesses to escape the corporate world and embrace their inner creativity - the last thing you want is for your own personal endeavours and passion projects to be leaving you stressed and out-of-pocket - my hope is that my book will be able to give readers the tools to make a success of their product businesses and for them to feel good whilst doing it! Please do jump on to the Resilient Retail social media channels and let me know what you think! As I say, this is the first un-edited draft, so it’d be great to hear all your thoughts!

In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Taymoor Atighetchi, CEO and Founder of Papier, an online e-commerce stationery brand that flips traditional supply chain methods on their head. Alongside their own in-house collections, Papier collaborates with bright, upcoming artists, iconic brands and exciting fashion labels to produce personalised journals, notebooks (and more) on-demand for those who are passionate about paper. Selling direct-to-consumer, Papier creates one-off products to order, meaning that the business can remain agile, minimize waste and lead the curve when it comes to emerging trends. In today’s podcast, we discuss how analogue pursuits have grown as people strive to live a more offline life and how an on-demand business model helps with the test and learn approach all start-ups have to endure. We also take a look at how brand partnerships can help with both customer acquisition and retention and how endless choice is the last thing consumers want. Check out Papier’s range of products at https://www.papier.com/ and connect with them on social. https://www.facebook.com/papieruk/ https://www.instagram.com/papier/ https://twitter.com/papieruk https://www.pinterest.co.uk/papieruk/_shop/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/papier/

If you’re not already feeling the pinch yourself, you’re no doubt aware from the news that the cost of living is increasing across the board. From household energy through to groceries, as well as the seemingly exponential rise of fuel costs, the hike in national insurance contributions and the shift in variable-rate mortgages it’s no wonder that people are looking more closely at their outgoings and are managing their costs more carefully. Outside the household, this is of course impacting businesses and retail too. Freight, materials, packaging and duty costs are all subject to these financial shifts, and it can be tough to prepare for and mitigate the effects of increased prices on your profit margins. In episode 82 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to help you engage with the numbers in your business to help you to avoid sleepwalking into having your bottom line eroded by increasing costs. In this podcast, we’ll look at the difference between your in-margin and your out-margin and talk about the profit parameters you’ll want to aim for depending on your type of business model. We’ll also cover numerous tactics for managing price increases, from ‘shrink-flation’ to bundling together low-margin products, as well as why it’s always important to consider where your customers are at right now. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

In episode 81 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Thalia Caddy. As a theatre manager hit hard by the pandemic, Thalia wanted to create opportunities for the moments of escapism that were all but stripped from the national playhouses by numerous lockdowns. Enter Wild Books, a business with circularity and community writ large from page one, where Thalia bundles pre-loved literature with hand-made candles that immerse you in each book’s location. In today’s episode, we talk about getting people to think about their purchases differently, taking people along on the journey and being transparent, as well as what it takes to build a community, how to introduce a subscription service and creating a recycling scheme. To connect with Thalia and Wild Books head over to: https://www.instagram.com/wildbooksco/ https://www.botanyandbooks.co.uk/ (changing to wildbooks.co May 2022) Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

Between the ongoing climate crisis, a global pandemic and waves of continent-wide lockdowns, the last few years have seen marked shifts in consumer behaviours and attitudes, with more people considering the sustainability of their shopping habits and the ethics of production and manufacturing, than ever before. Things are moving in the right direction but it’s often the case that we don’t respect or care for products when they’re inexpensive, which inevitably results in a more disposably-inclined mindset and more waste - and this is no more true than when it comes to fast fashion. So, in today’s episode, I am truly excited to speak to the founder, recent recipient of Dragon’s Den investment, and champion of clothing circularity Charlotte Morley of The Little Loop - the first shared wardrobe for kids in the UK. Renting ethical, fun clothes for your children, The Little Loop is on a mission to help create a world without clothing waste. On today’s podcast, we discuss engaging ethically in clothing production, scrutinising supply chains, and paying a fair wage and how resale shouldn’t be seen as the answer to the fast-fashion brand behemoths. We also talk about feeding data back to suppliers in an effort to make better, longer-lasting products and how Dragon Den’s Peter Jones isn’t as mean as he seems. Check out The Little Loop at: https://thelittleloop.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thelittleloopclothing/ https://www.facebook.com/thelittleloop https://twitter.com/thelittleloop

In today's episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to the founder of jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu, Connie Nam. Dissatisfied with a market of impersonal jewellery brands sold by uninspiring stores Connie made it her mission to create her own range of innovative jewellery products, delivered via a personal, engaging and empowering experience. From being stocked in Selfridges to counting Jessica Alba amongst her customer base, it’s important to remember that Astrid & Miyu’s wonderful success hasn’t happened overnight, and in this podcast, Connie shares a number of her observations and tips when it comes to building a fresh and thriving brand and business. We talk about the fear of giving up control as growth demands that you delegate more, as well as ‘recruiting hard and managing easy’. We also talk about the importance of creating a differentiation between your online and store offering, leveraging your data to help you make some of your bigger business decisions and how getting your customers to engage with multiple marketing channels makes them 'stickier'. Check out Connie’s jewellery and connect with her brand at: https://www.astridandmiyu.com/ https://www.instagram.com/astridandmiyu/

Charity shops and thrift stores have been firm fixtures of the modern retail space since at least the 1950’s and primarily second-hand product websites like eBay and Craigslist are now both running into their mid-twenties - resale is certainly not a new phenomenon, but it’s in recent years that advances in technology and shifts in consumer habits have allowed the second, and even third-hand market to flourish like never before. In episode 78 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Wilson Griffin and Karin Dillie of the tech-enabled resale service, Recurate. Recurate’s mission is to look at the whole life cycle of a product and extend it. They aim to build circularity through partnering with brands and retailers by putting the resale capacity of their own products back into their own hands. In this podcast, we discuss how the perception and culture around shopping second-hand has changed and how conversations around supply chains and materials have become as important to some consumers as the products themselves. We also touch on how harnessing pre-existing resale infrastructure and peer-to-peer behaviour could help you see great returns with little risk or commitment to your bottom line. Check and connect with Wilson and Karin at: https://recurate.com/ https://twitter.com/recurate https://www.instagram.com/recurate.app/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/recurate/

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - there’s no silver bullet when it comes to creating a successful product business, but we can look at industry stories, review the data and trace trends to help us sketch out a bit of a roadmap for each coming year. In episode 77 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, there are some key themes that I want to run through that I think are less the “secrets to success” and more a pragmatic approach to ensuring you and your business can weather these uncertain times, for both retail and the world, and come out on top. In this podcast, I discuss trying to nail down more lucrative profit margins to make it easier for you to take on additional costs and the importance of using your data to learn, review and adapt your business model accordingly. I also touch on how creating additional routes to market can help you to manage risk and how creating a community of loyal customers is one of the best ways to build your retail resilience. Don't forget to join hundreds of other product businesses for this free, fun, five-day challenge from 24th - 28th January, held in a private FB group. https://www.resilientretailclub.com/plan2022

One question I get a lot, and one that's certainly become much more pertinent in the last few years, is "Why bother making plans when things are so uncertain?" Even without the wildcard of a global pandemic, the retail landscape is constantly changing and does so at a dramatic pace - it's no surprise then that business owners are frustrated and fatigued by making plans that might be redundant by the end of the month, if not week! I've worked many years in the retail industry, through periods of major instability, and this is the oft-quoted motto that has always got me through those times of uncertainty: Plans are useless, planning is priceless. It's always better to plan and adjust as conditions change. In episode 76 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I go over the three types of plan you can create to best prepare you and your business for a whole variety of outcomes. We'll look at establishing a 'base' plan to safeguard your finances, we'll discuss making a realistic forecast and the importance of being cautious with your expectations and we'll summarise by designating a stretch goal to keep your ambitions in sight and in check. Join hundreds of other product businesses for this free, fun, five-day challenge from 24th - 28th January, held in a private FB group. https://www.resilientretailclub.com/plan2022

In the age of Coronavirus, we’re fortunate enough to be better connected than ever. Social media platforms, online forums and community-centric apps have given us the tools to enjoy, learn and share our interests and passions with like-minded people from all around the world - but when it comes to product businesses, it's a surprisingly under-utilised engagement tool. Online communities can not only extend your reach far beyond a traditional brick-and-mortar store but can help produce organic and long-lasting brand engagement with customers who will willingly champion and support your brand. In today’s episode, I speak to the founder of the Jewellers Academy, Jessica Rose. Following the close of Jessica’s physical school, the Jewellers Academy now operates online and offers everything you need to learn when it comes to jewellery making and building and growing a successful business. In this podcast, we discuss making your customer's experience bigger than the product itself, the importance of finding the right community platform for you and your customers and the variety of ways you can foster relationships, keep your brand active and your community engaged. Head over to https://www.jewellersacademy.com/ to check out the Academy and connect with Jessica at: https://www.instagram.com/jewellersacademy/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/jewellersacademy/ https://twitter.com/JewellersAcad https://www.youtube.com/c/jewellersacademy

Merry Christmas to all you small businesses owners out there - I hope you had a good season of sales and that you’re having a well-earned rest before we all hit the ground running for 2022. As this is the last podcast episode of 2021 I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a look at the last year in retail - from what trends have developed over the last 12 months, to how the industry has been continually shaped by global events. Despite seeing a stronger start to the year than expected and physical stores reopening in the UK around April, 2021 has been bookended by rising COVID cases and the ramifications for retail have been considerable. In this episode, we'll look at how projected online growth has accelerated at an unprecedented pace, whilst typical shopping patterns have experienced major shifts, as well as how multiple revenue streams have allowed some businesses to remain agile, as they’ve pivoted in response to revised restrictions. We'll also review how changes in the geography of stock are affecting high street occupancy rates and how sticking to the fundamentals should see you and your business through the most volatile of times. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

With Christmas Day but a few sleeps away, I hope you and your business have not only survived but thrived this festive season, and hopefully, you can look forward to some well-deserved rest once those last few orders are picked, packed and shipped! Never one to rest on my laurels I’m already looking ahead to 2022 to try and ascertain what trends we could expect to see, even whilst the shadow of Omicron-driven uncertainty stretches into next year. In today’s episode, pulled from my research as a Forbes contributor, I cover the four key themes that I believe will shape the next year in retail. We’ll look at how customers want businesses to do better in all facets and how buyers are becoming more shrewd when it comes to greenwashing and shallow marketing ploys. We’ll cover the growth of ‘Social Commerce’ and the advent of shoppable content, made possible through live streaming. I’ll touch on the importance of adopting a hybrid model by running your businesses online and in-person in ways that complement each other. We’ll also discuss the ongoing value of loyalty and how good feedback and a variety of payment options can help keep customers coming back again and again.

As business owners, and in a world that seems to be evolving at an ever-increasing pace, the convenience, reach and speed that today's marketing tools afford us is very appealing - but the bigger question is: are they effective? As customers, it can often feel like we're being pummeled by a barrage of marketing from every source of tech that we owe - we're snowed under by email subscriptions, solicited over SMS and interrupted mid-video and song by flash-bang advertising. Maybe it's time we slowed things down and reconsidered how we connect, engage and retain our valued customers. In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to an advocate of slow marketing and of businesses doing good - founder and CEO of Inkpact, Charlotte Pearce. With a tribe of scribes located across the world, Inkpact produces and delivers personalised, handwritten letters from big companies to their customers to foster real human connections and engage and retain customers. In this podcast we discuss the importance of marrying your social mission to the core of your business, creating ‘Eros Moments’ to better engage your customers, the long-term benefits of working really hard on understanding and improving yourself, and what it means to be a mother and an entrepreneur in today's world of work. Don’t forget to sign up for my free talk on Tuesday 21st December at http://www.resilientretailclub.com/grow2022 where I’ll be talking about the events of the past year, as well as my views and perspectives on what to expect throughout 2022. Head to https://inkpact.com/ to check out their amazing services and connect with Inkpact over at: https://www.facebook.com/inkpactmarketing/ https://twitter.com/inkpact https://www.instagram.com/inkpact/

With the big day but a few weeks away, we're truly bang-in-the-middle of Christmas crunch-time. You're no doubt juggling orders and shipments as well family commitments and making plans for the festive holidays. But, with so many different elements to manage and demands being made of your time, I'd be willing to bet that the one thing you're not prioritising is you. In today’s episode, I speak to Confidence Coach and author of “Be Your No.1 Cheerleader” Ekua Cant. With a mission of being positive in business, career and in life, Ekua helps women to back themselves, overcome fear and unleash their potential, with a focus on balancing their ambitions with the need to rest and to prioritise personal self-care. In this podcast we discuss the importance of scheduling time to rest, the value of investing in a good morning routine, getting comfortable with delegating, affirming that “No” is a complete sentence and how looking after yourself ultimately helps you look after your business. https://www.beyournumberonecheerleader.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekuacant/ https://uk.bookshop.org/a/9139/9781473668942 https://byncheerleader.samcart.com/products/kickstart-your-career-for-2022-resilient-retail Use the code: 10podcast to get 10% off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

Between the numerous learning curves, family commitments, marketing schedules, profit margins, post office runs and, well, the list goes on, I think we’d all agree that running your own business can be exhausting. Intense work schedules can lead to fatigue and we’re all likely to experience burn-out and brain fog at some point - but how do you manage running a business whilst suffering from chronic or long term illness. In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to the founder of BAO Skincare, Beth Coldrick. With a background in natural beauty therapy and nutrition, Beth has had to navigate running her own salon and building her skincare brand all the while dealing with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In this episode we talk about the process of getting certified organic, maintaining the integrity of your products as you grow and making the right choices for you and your health without compromising your business ambitions. Head to https://www.baoskincare.co.uk/ to check out Beth’s certified vegan organic skin care products and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.facebook.com/baoskincare/ https://www.instagram.com/baoskincare/ Use the code: 10podcast to get 10% off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today marks one of the US’s biggest holidays, as well as the eve of one of the biggest retail events of the year: Black Friday. Historically a day for bagging unbelievable bargains, the consensus on this massive shopping event has shifted somewhat in recent years, with some people and companies pushing back against this festival of consumerism with a message to shop small and in some cases offering to support charitable causes through their sales. Customers are getting more attuned to purpose-led businesses and want to buy from people that are putting purpose at the heart of their brand. It stands to reason that when, as a small business owner, you have to manage everything, that you want it to be as easy as possible to take your positive intentions forward. so, in today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Veronica Bamford-Dean, managing director of Work For Good, a tech platform that makes it easy and legal for small businesses to fundraise for charity and make an impact. In this podcast, we discuss the differences between individuals and businesses in charitable giving, what exactly a commercial participation agreement is and how to support sustainably by giving as you grow. Use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club https://workforgood.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/WorkForGoodUK/ https://twitter.com/workforgooduk https://www.instagram.com/workforgooduk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/workforgooduk/

Whether this is your first festive sales season or you’re a Christmas retail veteran there’ll always be challenges to overcome and surprises you didn’t anticipate. Everyone's business is different and operates with its own set of rules and idiosyncrasies, which means even with the best direction from dependable sources it can feel like much of the advice available is a bit abstract when comes to trying to apply it to your own business. So, for today's episode, I’ve enlisted the help and perspectives of three of my Resilient Retail club members to try and give you some real-life examples of how to prepare yourself and manage your business this Christmas. I am delighted to introduce Rani of ‘Plant A Bloomer’ - who offers gifts and cards to plant and craft, Annabelle of ‘Copper and Holly’, who runs a Brecon-based Autumn and Christmas pop-up shop and Emily, the owner of Cotswolds gift boutique ‘Wild At Heart’. From organising online sales fulfilment to staffing physical stores, the experiences of these wonderful business owners hopefully go some way to speaking to some of the challenges you might experience this season. In this episode, we discuss working with fulfilment centres and managing third-party relationships, the time it takes for trends to filter through to different communities, the importance of organising training, purchasing early for the big day and much, much more! Use the links below to check Rani’s, Annabelle’s and Emily’s businesses and to connect with them on social. Rani Deshpande https://www.plantabloomer.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/plantabloomer/ https://www.facebook.com/plantabloomer/ Annabelle Summerfield https://www.copperandholly.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/copperandholly/ https://www.instagram.com/copperandhollychristmas/ Emily Wild https://www.wildatheartgifts.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/WildatHeartGifts/ https://www.instagram.com/wildatheartgifts/

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have completely revolutionised the way in which small independent businesses can reach potential customers. The democratisation of the online retail space paired with widely accessible, user-friendly marketing tools like Canva have helped elevate the profile of many small brands and start-ups. Increased visibility is great but the work you’re putting into market yourself needs to translate to orders. In episode 67 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, we speak to the founder of Sparkle Storm UK, Charis Varley. A previous apprentice of mine, Charis has discovered huge success through using TikTok, seeing the sales of her personalised gifts skyrocket thanks to the exposure and connections that platform has enabled her to create. In this episode we touch on the different viewing habits and cultures associated with each social media platform, discuss how the misconception that TikTok is just for teenagers means that you could be missing out on the purchasing power of the working youth and how being an early adopter of social media tech can help you surf the wave of ever-changing algorithms. Head to https://sparklestorm.co.uk/ to see Charis’ uniquely tailored handmade products and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/sparklestorm/ https://www.facebook.com/SparkleStormUK https://www.tiktok.com/@sparklestormcreation

I think we can all agree that Christmas wouldn’t be much of a success if Santa Claus didn’t show up, and the same holds true for your business. If you don’t put the time and effort in to get yourself out there and make your brand and your products more visible you won’t be taking full advantage of one of the most lucrative sales seasons in the calendar. Incredible products will sell themselves, but some of your lines will need a little TLC to get them flying off the shelves. That’s why it’s not only important but essential to break through those barriers of self-consciousness, embrace repetition and shout loud and proud about your wonderful offerings in the run-up to the big day. In today’s episode, I speak to fashion brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles. After working for 14 years in the industry, Elizabeth now works with purpose-driven independent brands to help support them with their manufacturing, marketing and mindset and she's a real visibility queen. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of giving your products the exposure they deserve, how the more you talk, the more you have to talk about and how if you focus on your sales, your operations will take care of themselves. Get in touch with Elizabeth about working together at https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/ and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Since originating in the United States, developed as a major sales stimulus event based around Thanksgiving, Black Friday has since migrated to many other economies around the globe where businesses offer a wide range of deals and discounts for a limited time, effectively marking the beginning of the festive shopping season. Small businesses often don’t have the resources to pull off the seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers that larger retailers flood the market with at the end of November, and with the degree of push-back we’ve seen from consumer-conscious campaigns in the form of counter-events like ‘Small-business Saturdays’, it can be tough to know what to do for the best when it comes to such a pivotal point in the retail calendar. In today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, we’ll discuss the multiple options open to you when it comes to Black Friday. We’ll look at the rules around price-establishing, as well as alternative offerings to discounts such as charitable donations. Whether you avoid it altogether, go grassroots and create your own event, or employ site-wide discounts, we’ll look at the elements you’ll need to consider to make a choice that feels most comfortable for you.

Managing finances can prove to be a major source of anxiety for many business owners. From trying to navigate the maze of bureaucracy that is self-employment to juggling multiple income streams, there’s a lot to keep track of, and the last thing you need is to get caught out come the end of the tax year. If you feel like you’re sinking in spreadsheets it might be time to enlist the services of an accountant. In today’s episode, I speak to Rachel Martin. As the founder of ‘Accountant_She’, Rachel wants to change the way businesses work with their accountants by providing classic accountancy and business advisory services in a modern and convenient way. Your accountant is in essence a translation service and Rachel believes the job of a good accountant is to make you feel at ease with your business. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of regular bookkeeping, tax planning and using your business records to make better decisions, as well as the software and apps you can use to help save and forecast for the future. Get in touch with Rachel about working together at https://www.accountantshe.co.uk/ and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/ Use the code: 10podcast to get 10% off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club.

Consumers are thinking more about how they connect and relate to their purchases than ever before - from shopping small and local to seeking out products that align with their values. As a consequence, it is truly encouraging to see such a large rise in the number of purpose-driven businesses coming to market that cater for people who want their cash to contribute to something greater than a business’s bottom line. From fair-trade and B-Corp certification to profit percentage pledges to charity, retailers big and small and showing how having a mission beyond making money benefits everyone. In today’s episode, I speak to Mark and John Cronin, a father and son duo who created a mission-led e-commerce business that gives back in a big way. When John, who has Down syndrome, turned 21 he had some big decisions to make as he left the support of the public school system. After some thought, he came to his dad with an idea of going into business together and selling something that would help celebrate his own individuality - crazy socks! Since starting in 2016, John’s Crazy Socks have operated under a simple mission - to spread happiness - which they've realised through many facets such as their donations to the Special Olympics, personalised messages in every delivered package, employing people with differing abilities and, of course, their wide selection of crazy socks. In this podcast we discuss how sourcing a more diverse workforce isn’t altruistic, it’s just good business, how your social and business missions can work together in tandem to great effect, and how gratitude and helping others should be at the core of what you offer to the world. To get your very own pair of crazy socks head to: https://johnscrazysocks.com/ and you can connect with John and Mark at: https://twitter.com/JohnsCrazySocks https://www.facebook.com/johnscrazysocks/ https://www.instagram.com/johnscrazysocks/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChQzvQju2SQiW9rIf5JNsVQ

From AI chatbots to cloud computing, I hardly need to tell you, small business owners, that technology is constantly changing how the retail industry operates - we’ve all become very familiar with self-checkouts, targeted advertising and next or same-day delivery, but cutting-edge tech often comes at a steep price and requires robust infrastructure, and so is often outside the grasp of many fledging independent businesses and startups. However, two technologies that don’t require a huge outlay of capital are NFC, the near field communications tech that powers contactless payments, and one technology that has become ubiquitous via accelerated use throughout the pandemic, which is QR (quick response) codes. In today’s episode, I speak to the Founder and CEO of SharpEnd, Cameron Worth, about how you can use this simple tech to turn your products into fully functioning media platforms. We’ll discuss how connected packaging places much-desired autonomy and agency into the hands of the consumer and how bridging the gap from your product to your online space represents a whole new canvas and channel through which to speak with your customers, as well as heightening their enjoyment of your products whilst engaging with your brand post-purchase. Get in touch with Cameron about working together at Sharpend.com and you can follow and connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronlworth/

If there’s one advantage of being a small business over mainstream retailers, it’s the personal touch and connection you can foster between you and your customers - when you’re the one making the products, fielding customer questions and organising deliveries, closer proximity to your buyers is baked into the very nature of your business-running role. In today's episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Michael Osborne - president of Wunderkind, a marketing firm that helps digital businesses to deliver one-to-one messages at scale, about the vital importance of personalisation in retail, which will hopefully give you some food for thought when it comes to connecting with your consumer base. We take a deep dive into the evolution of online retail, from the Dotcom craze of the late ’90s to the more recent democratisation of retail and reach through platforms like Etsy and Instagram, as well as discussing how advances in technology are helping tailor marketing to consumer behaviour. As well considering how the recent global events have accelerated shopping trends we, of course, discuss Christmas 2021 and what we think you can expect in the coming months. Get in touch with Michael about working together at https://www.wunderkind.co/ and you can follow and connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelosborne/

With just under 100 days left until Christmas Day, I’ve got my festive fingers crossed that with a little help from The Resilient Retail Game plan you’re feeling well prepared for the busy Christmas sales season. If you’ve got your stock levels sorted and your marketing scheduled now is the time now to look ahead for bottlenecks - to see if you can anticipate and pre-empt pinch points and tackle them head-on by being practical and resourceful. The crunch you experience in your business at Christmas is usually indicative of how your business will feel and handle as it grows, so it makes a lot of sense to put measures in place to make your life as a business owner easier and more streamlined now. In episode 60 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, we’ll discuss the importance of estimating your Xmas sales numbers, working out staff requirements and improving workflow by reviewing your workspace, as well as looking at how automation can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to dealing with your customer base.

As we’ve covered over the last 10 or so episodes, there’s a lot to consider and arrange when it comes to getting ready for the festive season. From securing stock to marketing and delivery, there are so many moving parts to keep track of, and as the orders fly in and things get busier, it’s all too easy to lose focus, make mistakes and burn out. Strategising week-by-week might be effective for the majority of your trading year, but once the holidays roll around you really need to look at the entire festive period in one go to best set yourself up for stress-free success. From charting the most important festive deadlines and events to matching up your messaging with customer buying patterns, the key to a successful Christmas is a great deal of preparation, so in today's episode, we’ll look at putting together a trading calendar to help give ourselves a clear overview of the busiest time of the year for retail.

Whilst big retail isn’t exactly going anywhere, we’re seeing more and more that customers want something that mass-produced products and high street giants generally can’t offer - to be part of a journey when it comes to the consumer experience. Whether it’s getting their hands on something handmade and unique or voting with their wallet by buying locally and sustainably, consumers are savvy and know that it’s small, independent businesses that they need to go to for gift-able treats, purpose-led products and exciting exclusives. But as you may have experienced yourself, getting in front of those potential customers is a whole other story - in today’s episode we look at how bringing big retail and small brands together is ultimately a win-win for all involved. My guest today is Matt Hopkins who, whilst working for big retailers like John Lewis, met lots of great brands struggling to get their products to markets. It was on the back of this discovery that in 2014 Matt formed The Great British Exchange with the explicit goal of bringing the best of smaller British brands to a much broader customer base, from food and beverage to housewares, by offering various routes to market including traditional wholesale and in-store pop-ups. In episode 58 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, we discuss the importance of stories, the power of selling face-to-face and how your success all comes down to preparation, research and execution. Get in touch with Matt about working together at https://www.thegbexchange.com/ and you can follow and connect with The Great British Exchange at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-great-british-exchange/ https://twitter.com/thegbexchange

As we’ve covered in previous episodes, Christmas has all the potential to be the most profitable point of your financial year, but a lot of your sales success is dependent on how well prepared you are to meet the demands of your customers. From making sure you’ve secured enough of your bestsellers to avoiding creating a stockpile of those dreaded ‘brown bananas', forecasting your sales and ordering stock can be a difficult and abstract task. So, in episode 57 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I run through three vital questions you need to ask yourself before pulling the trigger on any new stock. We’ll look at your ‘hero products’ and the importance of building festive campaigns around your most giftable items; we’ll discuss thinking through your sales logically and getting into the habit of using purchase history and sensible predictions to aid in sales forecasting; as well as making some tough calls on whether it’s worse having too much stock or not enough when it comes to your collection of Christmas products.

In my first solo episode in three and a half months and as a break from my Xmas content, I thought I’d spend this podcast sharing with you the five books that have made an impact on me and my business. You can always find me reading, I mostly have my head buried in novels, but when I started The Resilient Retail Club digging into business books keep me focused and helped me absorb info that has helped me work more productively and effectively. First up is “Profit First” by Michael Michalowicz where he ultimately discusses why taking money out of your business is beneficial. Micheal touts the importance of making your business work for you by paying yourself from the very beginning. My second recommendation is “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber. Published in 1986, it’s a little dated in places but contains some solid gems when it comes to how you should go about structuring your business. Third is the genuinely funny self-help book “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero. As we all know, running your own business can be tough and Jen’s peppy book will kick you up the bum and help you to get back on track. My fourth choice is “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. A modern classic, this book shifted the way I thought about a lot of things and centres in on being productive and effective by focusing only on the variables that you can actually affect. My final choice (bar a few extra’s I’ve slipped in) is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear - which I’d describe as life-changing. A practical guide on how to create good habits and break bad ones, it contains so many good tips to get you to where you want to be. Further Resources: Use to code: 10podcast to get 10% off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine - Michael Michalowicz The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - Michael E. Gerber You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life - Jen Sincero The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey How to Be a Productivity Ninja: Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do - Graham Allcott Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear Storybrand - Donald Miller This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See - Seth Godin Oversubscribed: How to Get People Lined Up to Do Business with You - Daniel Priestley Hype Yourself - Lucy Werner

Consumers, now more than ever, want to connect and relate to the brands and businesses that they buy from. It’s not enough to just send your products out into the world and expect them to fly off the shelves - you have to convey who you are and what you value if you want to stand out to your customers. Regardless of whether your product business was born from a simple hobby, has grown out of a search for sustainable alternatives, or aims to disrupt the market, when it comes to PR and branding, as my guest on today’s podcast, Lucy Werner says: “It all starts with a story”. Lucy Werner is the founder of The Wern, a boutique consultancy for publicity & design. She has 17-years of publicity experience, both in-house and for some of London's top agencies, and truly understands the power of the personal when it comes to connecting with clients. In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of setting a roadmap for yourself to help establish and align your business, and team, with your core values. We also talk about “showing a bit of ankle” by creating human touch-points for your customers to connect with, how it’s best to not fixate on your logo, and how getting other people involved is always useful when trying to figure out how your business comes across to the rest of the world. Get in touch with Lucy about working together at https://www.thewern.com/ and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/thewernagency/ https://twitter.com/thewernagency https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewernagency/ Hype Yourself is available here and you can pre-order Brand Yourself here. Further Resources: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/ https://meanmail.co/

Whether you’ve already established a crew of handy helpers or you’re looking to add your first extra pair of hands to the production line in time for your Xmas orders, recruiting is just the first step in putting a trustworthy team together. Setting expectations, engaging your workforce and ultimately managing your staff is a whole other ballgame with its own challenges and intricacies. In episode 52 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to Human Resources Consultant Pip Foulsham. From working in retail to being employed as part of the NHS, Pip now assists business owners in creating amazing workplaces - helping with everything from creating and reviewing contracts of employment to onboarding. In this episode, we consider the value of being open and honest with your staff and the importance of dealing with problems early. We also share some tips on handling performance issues and discuss how simply asking what your employees need from you helps to create a productive and positive working environment. Get in touch with Pip about working together at https://pipfoulshamhr.co.uk/ and you can follow and connect with her at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipfoulsham/ https://www.instagram.com/pipfoulshamhr/ https://www.facebook.com/pipfoulshamhr/

So, today's episode is a little different for two reasons. Firstly, we experienced a little technical issue during this recording, consequently, there’s a shift in my audio quality from around 25 minutes into the episode - my apologies! But secondly, and more importantly, we’re taking a break from getting ready for Christmas to let off some steam. The life of a small business owner is generally a rewarding one, but it can be lonely and monotonous with few, if any, colleagues to vent frustrations to, or co-workers to support you through periods of stress and pressure. So, in today’s episode, I give you the next best thing, as I speak to the (anonymous) creator of the hugely popular Instagram account: Small Biz Memez. From impatient customers and ridiculous reviews to serial scammers and threats of priestly smiting, Small Biz Memez “celebrates that small biz life” by sharing the funniest, most bizarre and downright awful customer interactions small business owners just like you have experienced. It’s not quite like gossiping at the water cooler with fellow employees, but I find that Small Biz Memez goes some way in reminding us all that we’re not suffering alone at the hands of crazy consumers and that maybe together we can have a good laugh about some of the less pleasant aspects of running a business Between a lot of laughs, we discuss how retail goliaths like Amazon have skewed customer expectations, the importance of being emotionally resilient and how the subject of demons (yes, demons) comes up more often than you’d expect when dealing with customers. To check out the account head over to https://www.instagram.com/smallbizmemez To support the ongoing production of their hilarious content go to https://www.patreon.com/smallbizmemez And for all your Small Biz Memez merch check out https://www.smallbizmemez.com/ #RIPSnuffles