The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators. 

Sales Forecasting Basics Feb 03, 2023

A while back, a gentleman that wanted help selling his company approached me.  I listened to him describe all the attributes of his company and I was intrigued.  He gave me an overview of...

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Tear Down The Expense Wall! Feb 03, 2023

Every small business owner faces the same issue – managing their expenses. While most small businesses keep a keen eye on growing the top line – revenues – many small businesses...

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Local Store Marketing: Product Sampling Feb 03, 2023

One of the most successful local store marketing (LSM) tactics to build into your daily operations is a sampling strategy for your products. If your retail establishment is foodservice, your...

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Local Store Marketing: Promoting Your Store Through Public Relations Feb 03, 2023

Public relations can incorporate a number of items and each should be interwoven in a consistent theme. At the beginning of the year, identify key people, events and community tie-ins that you wish...

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Local Store Marketing: Store Anniversaries Feb 03, 2023

I am amazed, that generally, less than twenty percent of the audience actually created a Grand Opening celebration at their store. A store owner spends upwards of $250,000 or more to build a store...

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Local Store Marketing: Customer Appreciation Days Feb 03, 2023

Creating a memorable day for a specific targeted customer creates a “team” mentality-attracting groups of customers that may come to your store simply for the team camaraderie. Examples...

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Local Store Marketing: “Be” The News! Feb 03, 2023
What person knows the most about what is happening at your store? You!

It is your responsibility to create news about your store – don’t wait for others to do this for you. Being...

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Local Store Marketing: It’s Showtime! Feb 03, 2023

All too often, store operators – after their grand opening – sit back and wait for the phone to ring or a customer to wander into the store. Slowly, over time, their store sales begin a...

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How To Stage A Killer Grand Opening! Feb 03, 2023

Your goal is to create a buzz in the community that your store is now open and ready for business. Successful grand openings attract enough new customers to your retail establishment, with the goal...

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Relocating A Store Feb 03, 2023

The lease is up at your existing location, and the new center down the street is happening. The thought of relocating your business is daunting – when will you find the time and will I lose...

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The Post Pandemic Path Forward Feb 03, 2023

Raise your hand if you included the word “pandemic” in your 2020 business plan.  Yeah, me either.  I went from traveling 200,000 miles in 2019, to not getting on a plane for...

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Creating Customer Experiences, Not Transactions Feb 03, 2023

I recently created a new presentation called There’s a New Store in Town – Are You Ready for the Disruption?   This presentation covered a myriad of...

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