Escape the Mundane + Experience the Remarkable

The Plight of the Bookstore

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Business

For the first time in about a year, I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday buying a book and realized that bookstores – as we currently know them – are on their death bed.

As I stared blankly at the business section, I noticed some favorites and some new books. Most had an attractive title and compelling cover art. But something was missing:

Social proof.

I’ve read hundreds of books and know not to judge a book by its cover. Literally. It may have the most captivating inside flap, yet will leave you wishing for your time and money back.

Big-box bookstores, no matter how well staffed, will never have the ability to guide you into a buying decision the way Amazon or 800-CEO-Read does. I among most other book buyers, base 99.9% of the buying decision on reviews and chatter online for a book.

While yes, they could integrate some kiosks or what not into the store to read reviews, but at that point why leave the house? I can do that from the comfort of my couch and my iPhone’s Amazon app. And have the book on my doorstep the next day.

So What Is A Bookstore Owner To Do?

Over the upcoming years, I’m predicting a huge transition in the ways bookstores position themselves. Just as any other business must focus on a niche in a highly competitive market, bookstores will start segmenting themselves.

If a bookstore is to compete successfully against online stores, the staff and offerings must become extremely compelling. Someone should be able to walk into the store, rattle off a few favorite books to a well-read worker, and within minutes be happily walking out of the store with a book perfectly suited for their desires. If the bookstore can’t accomplish this, they will follow in the footsteps of Borders.

This past weekend I was watching CBS Sunday Morning and they had a great segment on a bookstore doing just that:
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Does Easy = Simple?

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Business

This post is for the consultants, coaches, trainers, contractors and other service industry folk out there curious about pricing their offerings…

When you reflect on your area of expertise or specialty, do you feel it has become pretty routine? I bet you do. And I bet a lot of your skills have become effortless.

How do you perceive your ability? If you’ve been doing it for a while, I bet you start feeling anyone can do it.

If so, do you feel it’s become easy? Or is it simple?

Ignore what your dictionary says for a moment…

Let’s define easy as achieved without effort. And simple as anyone can do it.

So, where am I going with this?

I was working with a client on her pricing structure today and realized a profound theme: most people think what they find easy isn’t worth charging for.
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Escalator Temporarily Stairs

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Business

Have you ever wondered what would happen when a piece of technology you’ve become familiar with, breaks? How would you react? Do you have a backup plan? Or would you turn into these people:

When building your business, unfamiliar events are bound to happen. There will come times that systems you’ve grown dependent on will let you down. It’s almost a guarantee.
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10 Rules for Restaurant Success

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Business

From what I’ve experienced working with restaurateurs struggling to make it in the restaurant business, becoming successful is not only challenging. Success often comes with back breaking hard work, dedication and years of building a reputation. That is, however, if the restaurant follows the strategies of the majority. Which usually consists of average food and forgettable experiences.

I, on the other hand, believe a restaurant can become an instant success if the following 10 rules are applied correctly:

Rule #1: Remarkable

Creating a restaurant that others talk about and willingly recommend to others is paramount for restaurant success. But yet this is easier said than done. Most places fall into the realm of boring, unattractive eating establishments.

So how does one create a remarkable restaurant? By obeying these following principles:
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Is This Simple Item Killing Your Chances at a Positive First Impression?

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Business

If you’re in a profession where first impressions matter. Which is every profession. You must be aware that people are judgmental. And while most people wouldn’t admit it. Subconsciously, they are.

So what does this mean for you?

It means you must be aware of one of the most crucial aspects of your wardrobe…
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