The 10 Top Questions to Ask BEFORE Leasing a Store Space!

Once you have identified a site, or multiple sites of interest, you should then call the Landlord or Listing Broker to obtain all information like asking price per square foot, size of the available store, and set up a showing so that you can view the interior of the space.

photo credit:  Ian Balwin

Additional questions to keep in mind:

- Does the frontage (the number of feet of window space you have open to the street) provide enough visibility to the road?

- Is the bathroom strategically located in a spot that will not take up valuable floor or storage space?

- Is the ceiling in good shape?

- What is the age of the heating and air conditioning unit?

- What are the 1-3-5 mile radius demographics?

- What are the traffic counts at the intersection of the roads at the property?

- What is the access in and out of the property from the streets?

- Is there pylon signage available to you?

- Is there plenty of parking available to you?

- Look at the co-tenants in the shopping center. Are they complimentary uses to yours?

Leasing a retail store should be a successful venture if you are in the correct location and part of a team who not only leasing you the building but works to promote it using social media. Sharp Realty has a proven track record of success and will be happy to help your business to become a success!


Sharp Realty, LLC.
400 Union Hill Suite 300
Birmingham, Al. 35209
Phone: 205-879-1995www.sharprealty.com

Is your smart phone stealing time from your day?

We all have a smart phone for convenience and staying up to date on events. But, are they also stealing time from your day?

How many times do you, someone you work with or your employees check social media accounts while at work?

If we are honest with ourselves, it is more than we would like to admit. In this digital day, it is normal and acceptable to be checking your phone.

Research shows the average user checks their phone close to 150 times per day and spends 162 minutes per day, mostly on apps. It is easy to get distracted and waste time while on your phone while at work.

For a business, time is money!

photo credit: kyra preston

Below are three ways to increase productivity at work:

1.   No social media or browsing at work.

2.   Schedule time before or after work to check social media accounts.

3.   Use your phone as a phone and only answer text during the day.

Try it for a few weeks and see how focused and how much more productivity is accomplished at work.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Know the differences between marketing and sales - how each affects your business.

Many small business owners make the mistake of thinking marketing and sales are the same thing.  They are very different, yet equally valuable to the success of business.

Marketing is communicating the value of a product, service or brand to customers for the purpose of promoting or selling that product, service or brand.  

Many businesses hire a marketing specialist to help promote their business in person, online or through various forms of advertising such as social media, television, radio, billboard or print advertisement.

The marketing specialist’s job is to promote the business “brand” and not to conduct sales. 

Sales on the other hand, are just that, sales!  Sales people work to maximize the money spent to marketing the brand. People who are successful in sales want to focus on making the sales and not on branding.

Sales are the heart of a business!  Allowing competitive sales people to focus only on sales not only will make your business successful but will make you and your salespeople extremely happy.  

photo credit: Hannah Morgan

Marketing is for branding and sales are for generating revenue.

Marketing and sales go hand and hand.  Business owners must budget for both for continued success and growth.

How are you marketing your business?

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com 

Professional Office Space For Lease - 400 Union Hill Birmingham Al

Professional Office Space for Lease 

1350 SF at 400 Union Hill, Birmingham AL. 35209

It is a Class A space. It is close to downtown but has access to Highway 280. You will have quick access to Mountain Brook and Homewood City.

Perfect space for attorneys, insurance, Real Estate, accountants and mortgage underwriters or similar.

This space is rarely available and will lease fast.

Contact Rhonda Lusco at Sharp Realty for details.
Ph:205-879-1995
info@sharprealty.com
www.sharprealty.com

5 Best Ways To Show Your Customers You Care About Them?

Shopping is emotional experience and now through social networks and messaging it is being shared instantly with others.

How can you show your customers you care and appreciate their business?

1. Create a Customer Loyalty Program - Develop and execute a loyalty program that will keep your best customers coming back again and again.  Use a punch card or customer identification number to track customer purchases, and then reward loyal customers with a freebie after a certain number of purchases.

2. Thank You Notes – Writing a thank you note or saying it in person doesn't go un-noticed by customers. Thanking a customer for their business is an easy and inexpensive way to let your customers know you appreciate them. The next time they need your products or services, they’ll remember that note or thank you.

3. Remembering Special Days – If you’ve collected information on your customers such as birthdays, anniversaries or other special days, drop them a card in the mail. It’s also a good time to give them a birthday or anniversary discount.

4. Offer Your Online Fans Special Deals Often. - Your best customer advocates will publicly “fan” your business on a social media, so craft a special deal just for them. This not only rewards your existing fans, but sharing deals online is also an easy way to boost social shares and new followers for your business.

5. Going the Extra Mile – You’ve heard the saying to “under promise and over deliver”. If you can go the extra mile for your loyal customers, they will notice. Even if it’s just something really small, they’ll notice and feel cared for.

Retaining customers is much easier than acquiring new ones.

For more great tips follow us online.
@Sharp_Realty

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

Time spent marketing your business can be very overwhelming.  By learning these few basic branding steps you will be able to save time and easily drive new customers to your business.

Consistency: Make sure your branding is consistent throughout all your print ads, commercials, social media campaigns, and online presence. Consistent brand recognition is key in marketing and top of mind awareness.  

Simplicity: Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).  It's a funny saying but oh so true. Be persistent in finding and targeting your niche.  Keep the look and message simple.

Sincerity: It's not enough to have a Facebook page or a Twitter account; you must participate in the conversation by making regular posts and replying to direct messages from your customers.

Monitor your brand's reputation, and be ready to respond.  "Google Alerts" allow users to track select keywords and receive e-mail updates whenever they are mentioned on the Web.

By taking these few steps early and staying consistent you will become better at marketing your business.

Sharp Realty, LLC | Commercial Real Estate 
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 | Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995  |  www.sharprealty.com

Prepare For These Four Realities When Starting A New Business

There is nothing more exciting than the thought of owning your own business, being your own boss, and having your brand or name on merchandise.  

However, the excitement can turn to distress if you have not considered these four subjects when you start your new business.

1. Financial: There are many start-up costs associated with opening a new business.  

There are often hidden costs or fees that will come up when starting the business such as licensing, cost of maintaining a building, merchandise stock, marketing, staff, insurance, accountant and much more. 

Multiply your budgeted start-up costs by 3 or 4 to maintain a financial comfort zone.

2. Marketing: Create an annual Marketing Plan.  The adage "build it and they will come" only happens in movies! Opening a business with a sign outside does not guarantee people will shop your business.  

You should have a annual marketing plan and budget for the entire year.  Marketing is not a once a year event.

Also, successful marketing requires professionals.  Don't leave have your collage age child do your social media marketing just because they are good at using social media to communicate with friends.

3. Long Hours: The fantasy of working whenever hours you want is exactly that, a fantasy!  As a business owner you will work more hours than you ever in your life.  

Being a business owner means you are never far from your business, even while on vacation if you are lucky enough to get a vacation.

4. No or Little Income The First Few Years: Most new businesses do not turn a profit for several year.

Take these considerations and be realistic when planning your new business.  There are many successful business owners in your area.  Talk to them and ask what helped make their business a success.

Presented by Sharp Realty 

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com

Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.

Other topic:
4 Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners
6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business

Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways To Spruce Up the Office

You never get a second chance to make a good impression.  What do people think when they first visit your office?  Here are 5 easy things you can do to spruce up your office to make a great first impression.

1. Clean:  A clean office makes everyone happy. Make sure that the office gets cleaned inside and outside each week. You may not notice but trust me, the public does and it can cost your business more money than a cleaning service.

2. Organize:  When a potential client walks in to a desk piled up with files and papers it is not casting your skills in the best light. A fast way to solve this is simply put them in a drawer or out of sight until later.

3. Plants:  Having a nice fresh arrangement of flowers or plants in the lobby, main office or bathroom can not only help clean the air but can help distress the office.

4. Art:  Art lends to class and gives the potential client something to focus on while they are waiting, showcase local artists by using a painting, photography, sculpture, or water treatment.

5. Music: Depending on your office setting, relaxing music can help calm.  It also defuses conversations in the office.

Tell us how you feel about this subject.

Blog by: Sharp Realty

Commercial Real Estate Office and retail location space for lease throughout the United States. Contact us for details.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

7 Steps to Better Time Management for Small Business

At Sharp Realty as with all business owners, time is money. Below are seven steps for better time management.

 1. Record all your conversations, activities and schedule for a week. This will help you understand how much you can get done during the course of a day. You'll see how much time is actually spent producing results and how much time is wasted on unproductive conversations and actions.

2. Any activity or conversation that's important to your success should have a time assigned to it. Appointment books work. Schedule when they will begin and end and stick to the time.

3. Schedule time for interruptions. Plan time to be pulled away from what you're doing, "planned interruptions."

4. Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don't start your day until you complete your time plan. The most important time of your day is the time you take to set your schedule.

 

5. Take five minutes before every call or task to decide what result you want to attain. This will help you know what success looks like before you start.  Take five minutes after each call or activity to determine whether your desired result was achieved. If not, what was missing? How do you put what's missing in your next call or activity?

6. Don't instantly give people your attention unless it's absolutely crucial in your business to offer an immediate human response. Instead, schedule a time to answer email and return phone calls.

7. Block out other activities like social media unless you use these tools to generate business. 

 

Finding the best location for your retail business is foremost.  Sharp Realty has over 20 years of experience and many locations throughout the United States. Contact us today to get started.

Blog by:

Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com

Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.

Other topic:
4 Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners

6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business 

 

 

 

4 Smarter Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners

In this world of instant gratification time management is something that all small businesses seem to struggle with.  But maximizing your time is vital for businesses to stay successful. Below are a few tips to manage your time better.

1.  Make Time for Training: The biggest time-waster for most retail managers is answering employee's questions about mundane tasks.

If you find yourself getting a lot of routine queries, you probably haven't trained your employees adequately.

When you compile your to-do list, make teaching something new to your people one of your daily priorities. 

2. Take control: Practice not answering the phone just because it's ringing and e-mails just because they show up.

Disconnect instant messaging. Instead, schedule a time to answer email and return phone calls.

3.  Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don't start your day until you complete your time plan. The most important time of your day is the time you schedule to schedule time. 

4. Take five minutes before every task to decide what result you want to attain. This will help you know what success looks like before you start. Take five minutes after each task to determine whether your desired result was achieved.

Let us know how you feel about these tips.
Blog by Sharp Realty and Management.


Commercial Real Estate Office and retail location space for lease throughout the United States. Contact us for details.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Start Ups:5 Key Questions you should ask suppliers before doing business.

1. What are my payment terms and are they negotiable?
While payments for invoices are often due within 30 days, you can talk to your vendor about getting 60 or 90 days.

2. What will my total costs be?
While a supplier might give you a quote for the cost of a product or materials, be sure to ask about other fees. For example, are there delivery fees, fuel surcharges or restocking charges for returns that you must pay?

3. Can you give me a liability insurance certificate? Your suppliers should provide written proof that they have adequate liability insurance in the event that their products or parts malfunction. Get a new copy of the liability insurance certificate each year.

 

 4. If a product does not sell, are you stuck with it?
You don't want to get stuck with a finished product that flops or the parts and raw materials for a product that doesn't sell. Talk to your suppliers about their return policies. You want to negotiate the opportunity to return unsold products or materials.

 

5. Under what circumstance might prices change?  
Ask what determines a change in price. Is it tied to inflation or an industry index? If prices go up, how much notice will you receive?

For great information and retail locations available for lease contact Sharp Realty or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Sharp Realty is Now Social!

Sharp Realty is proud to announce we are now social and would like you to invite you to join us by liking, tweeting, connecting and following. Below are the links to our pages!

Like us on Facebook!

Sharp Realty is sharing photos and information about the different properties we manage as well as the events, happening, links and sales of the various businesses at those locations.

Join us for the FUN and let us know what is happening in your community!

Follow us on Twitter!

Millions of tweets go out daily. Make sure to follow our tweets at @Sharp_Realty for the latest happening with Sharp Realty!

Connect on LinkedIn

Our LinkedIn Page, Sharp Realty & Management, LLC is a great way to connect on LinkedIn or directly with Rhonda Lusco our general manager. We are active daily and have many connections. Let's connect today! 

Follow our Blog
Our Blog has informative content for business owners, franchisees and those who "Dream to be Business Owners".

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Retail Space for Lease in Midfield Alabama

The West Hills Plaza shopping center has 153,000 square foot of retail center with space available for lease. Wal-Mart across the street.

The anchor stores are Citi Trends, Fred’s, Burger King.

Other retail stores include Riviera Fitness, Rally’s, Compass Bank.

Krispy Crème Doughnuts, Rent – A- Center, Shoe Show,

Top Fashions (Men’s Clothing Store).

About the community:

Midfield is a town in Jefferson County, Alabama. It is south of Fairfield and part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 11,312 people.

Midfield’s city school system is good; the Midfield metro provides countless activities and various types of entertainment for everyone, including a wealth of natural resources for outdoor recreation.

West Hills Plaza has High Visibility and High FootTraffic Count!
Out-Parcels are also available for lease.

Contact Sharp Realty for details.
www.SharpRealty.com
205.879.1995