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  Image
"Define your store's image and its target customer." It is imperative that you define your store's image and know exactly who your target customer is. Take a moment and answer these questions:
Having a clearly defined image will help keep you focused when the trends and seasons change. You will be better able to purchase your inventory and won't be as easily swayed with quick trends that may not fit with your vision. Sometimes as retailers we want to be everything to everyone—we don't want to lose a sale. So we end up with scattered inventory, and too much of it; which means we have to mark it down in order to get more open-to-buy. This of course adversely affects our bottom line. Knowing exactly who your target customer is will also keep your "pencil light." For example, the largest slice of American consumers today who hold the most buying power are the Boomers. Nearly 80 million Americans were born from 1946 to 1964. Wouldn't you like to have just one tiny percent of them frequenting your store? If this is your target customer be certain to cater to them in both merchandise and advertising. Know who you are selling to! Don't be tempted to be everything to everyone.  "S" is for Smile
It's a simple thing, really—a smile. It's the universal language. In this world of technology it seems some of the basics of common courtesy have been left by the wayside. We hide behind our computer screens and our e-mail and forget how important customer contact can be. It's the power of the first impression. Our presence, our behavior, our attire, our attitude—all of this affects how a person perceives us. If we are in the position of helping someone make a purchasing decision it becomes even more important that we transmit a professional, friendly, and competent manner. A customer wants to know they are in good hands, that you can be trusted. A smile is the first gesture you can make to open the door that leads to a long-lasting relationship. Remember to think positive, look professional, and smile often—it makes people wonder what you're up to!  "You must dress for the job you want even more than for the job you have."
If you are pursuing a conservative field for your career, such as accounting, banking, money management, law, our government or judicial systems, politics, mortgage and title, it may benefit you to dress less trendy and more classic in your workplace. These industries tend to be more conventional. Always adhere to your company's dress code, of course; and when putting together your work wardrobe keep in mind these few simple suggestions. What your boss should and should not see:
Rely on your intelligence, people skills, organizational skills, and strength of character when moving up the ladder in your career. Professional presence through attire is just one more egg in your basket. Don't let a trendy and inappropriate work wardrobe send the wrong signal. 
I am a daughter of the Lone Star State—the great state of Texas. My family is still in Fort Worth (Cowtown) and as is the case with many people and their home town I miss certain aspects of it. In the springtime when the bluebonnet flowers blanket the hillsides; the fat stock show; Bluebell ice cream and chicken-fried steak. So I thought I'd include my favorite highlights of Fort Worth for any of you who might find yourself in Cowtown. And yes, that's me in the above picture on that longhorn. My good friends Sandy and Chris faithfully stood beside me as I launched myself on its back. It was indeed a thrill! The Fort Worth Stockyards Just north of downtown at Main and Exchange you'll find the Fort Worth Stockyards. A must for any tourist in this town you'll find good food, souvenirs, authentic ranchwear, authentic cowboys, country music, two-stepping, a rodeo, and a cattle drive. Cowtown at its finest! Go to www.fortworthstockyards.org for all the latest information. Stockyards Championship Rodeo & Pawnee Bill Wild West Show 121 E. Exchange Ave. Fort Worth, TX 817-625-1025 A championship rodeo every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. in the Cowtown Coliseum. Billy Bob's Texas 2520 Rodeo Plaza Fort Worth, TX 76106 817-624-7117 www.billybobstexas.com The world's largest honky tonk. The building now known as Billy Bob's was built in 1910 as an open air cattle barn. It now provides fun for 6000+ people with everything from a concert stage and dance floor to a casino and live bull riding arena. Check the website for upcoming concerts and events. The Fort Worth Herd 121 E. Exchange Ave. Fort Worth, TX 817-336-HERD www.fortworthherd.com Witness a longhorn cattle drive through the streets of Cowtown. Daily, 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant 2201 N. Commerce St. Fort Worth, TX 817-626-4356 www.joets.com In a tiny house on July 4th, 1935, this Mexican restaurant opened. It had a 16-person capacity. It quickly became famous for enchiladas and paper-thin handmade tortillas. Today the restaurant is much larger but people still wait in line for the food. The menu consists of three items: enchiladas, beef fajitas, or chicken fajitas, with all the trimmings, served family style. Stop by early, stop by late—but be sure to stop by! Downtown Fort Worth www.sundancesquare.com Sundance Square is 20 fabulous blocks of downtown Fort Worth where people work, live, shop, and dine. A place for wonderful events, lots of good music, beautiful hotels, and the arts. www.basshall.com Bass Performance Hall is located in one full city block encompassed by Commerce, Calhoun, and 4th and 5th Streets, in the historic Sundance Square district of downtown Fort Worth. The 2,056-seat multipurpose Hall is characteristic of the classic European opera house form. Be certain to check out the event calendar if you're coming to town. This is a beautiful hall with superb acoustics for experiencing everything from ballet to comedy to Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. Angelo's Barbeque 2533 White Settlement Road Fort Worth, Texas 817-332-0357 www.angelosbbq.com What trip to Texas would be complete without world class barbeque? I have been known to carry pounds of Angelo's ribs back with me to Colorado on the plane! Slowly smoked, fall-off-the-bone barbeque with a smoky and not-to-sweet sauce. Since 1958. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 1720 Gendy Street Fort Worth, Texas 817-336-4475; 800-476-FAME www.cowgirl.net "The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit in their trail blazing efforts." Trick riders, barrel racers, bronc riders, and general trailblazers in both life and on the range are all honored here. 
In all my days I had not made it to Disneyland. So it's fitting that for their 50th anniversary I would finally climb aboard Space Mountain, ride through fighting pirates, take a dive with Luke Skywalker, and top the Matterhorn! But even more thrilling than the roller coasters was hugging my hero, Tigger. My good friend Theresa told me before I visited Mickey that I "...could not act any bigger than my shoe size." She was right. I never topped 8 all day long! It goes without saying that if you have not been to Disneyland it is never too late. It's good to take the kid in you out to play occasionally!
Please visit Spring 2006 in my past Travel Tips section for more information on this beautiful island!
See previous tips, including travel destinations, here. < Back to Top P.O. Box 4164 • Evergreen, CO 80437 • 303-512-7638 • fax: 303-674-5356 |
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