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 

 

 

 

Why Business Retailers should Embrace Social Media?

Just a few years ago the formula for success consisted of finding the right commercial retail location, suppliers and traditional advertising such as print and radio.

Social media has changed not only how consumers shop but how they find, connect and talk about your business. “The web has changed from something we do to how we live”, according to social media experts.  

There are four main points to consider in keeping up with social media in business.

First, business owners need to truly learn and know about their customers; what is their family and social circumstance, their level of community involvement and expectations as potential and continuing customers.

Secondly, it’s critical to learn what is being talked about online. What are customers saying about your business, products or services?

The third step is to stay connected! This can be done by being proactive in conversation by asking engaging questions designed to elicit responses and draw people into the conversation.

Last but not least, regularly reviewing your social media analytic to make sure you are on track.

Some final advice from experts: “Keep things on a human level not just 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 

 

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

Keeping cost low is vital for the success of any new business. Here are five ways to reduce cost those first few years.

1.   Consider bartering - Establishing some type of bartering agreements with vendors and friends who can provide goods and services during your first critical months or years of business can result in future success.

2.   Review your resources - The Chamber of Commerce, your local library or YouTube to help with planning, marketing and other information you need to open a small retail business. 

3.   Develop a communications plan for vendors and suppliers. You will benefit from partnerships with those individuals and companies that will help you keep inventory stocked from the day you open your store and beyond.

4.   Lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs. 

5. Use social media like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as a marketing tool and be seen by customers and potential customers. It is FREE!!

For help with leasing a building or questions about leasing or management contact Sharp Realty. 

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

Good Customer Service Leads to Repeat Business

Have you ever gone in a store and ask for help or when cashing out the person taking care of you never said a word or even looked up? How did it make you feel?

In the age of online communication, there seem to be a disconnect with communicating with a real person. Many people have to learn or relearn how to communicate in person.

Providing good customer service online is great but connecting with the person in front of you in your store is a must for the success of any small business.

Small business must set themselves apart from big corporate brands. A successful way to do this is build a rapport or bond with your customers. Since most purchases are bought on an emotional level, learn and teach your staff to build a bond with your customers.

Here are 5 tips for better customer service;

1. Say “Hello, how are you? How may I help you” and here is the catch, WHILE looking the person in the eyes.

2. When a customer is looking for something, take them to the item don’t just point in the direction.  Oblivious they don’t know the store very well or they have never been in the store before.

3. While helping customers, ask questions either related to the product for service or general questions. The more you communicate with your customers the better you will know them and their buying habits and you build a bond with the person.

4. Ask the customer their name, repeat it in the conversation and make note of it with a few notes so when they return you will remember.  The goes a long way! People like to feel remembered and special.

5. Say Thank You. Two simple words we sometimes forget while building a bond with customers.

By providing great customer and making those personal connections you have given them an emotional experience rather than just a purchase. They will remember it, share with others and return for more.

 

How do you feel about this issue?

 

Blog by:
Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300
Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com
Leasing retail locations nationwide.

  

5 Important questions to ask your property management company before leasing a retail space.

You may have heard the three most important factors when starting a business is location, location, location. Yes, location is vital to your business success but equally important is the relationship you maintain with your property management landlord.  

Just as every property is distinctly different, so are the companies that manage them. You are going to be in an ongoing relationship with the property management company and it is essential that the lines of communication be and remain open.   

Rhonda Lusco, property manager of Sharp Realty, suggests meeting with your management team while still in the searching phase for available commercial space to lease.

Have your written questions ready ahead of time and be clear on what your expectations are, not only for the answer but how they are answered. For example, does the management team seem to be flexible and easy to deal with or are they fixed on “these are our rules no exceptions”.  Know what is important to you before the meeting. 

Below are a few questions you may what to consider.

1. What the expectations of the leasing agency is regards to rent payment, utilities, garage or snow removal each month?

2. Can you put displays in the front of your store? Is so, are there any restrictions?

3. Who is for responsible signage, and how is it handled?

4. Is the management company promoting foot traffic the business complex and how?

5. What are the procedures when renewing the lease or if expansion is needed?

Being prepared and having your answers before you lease will save a lot of time, money and discontent.  Most of all establish a good relationship with the property manager that is built on open communication.

Sharp Realty has served the served the commercial Real Estate community for over 20 years. Contact Sharp Realty to discuss our commercial space needs.

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



 

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

Get your business in the right location!

It may be cold outside but the Cherry Tree Plaza is hot with activity of customers and new retail stores opening in the plaza. We would like to welcome some of the new stores!

Welcome:
Smooth You Med Spa & Boutique
108 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-6810

About: Smooth You is a place where all your skincare needs can be met with our numerous products and specialized services. We are located in Cherry Tree Plaza in Washington, IN. Sharon Cullen, R.N. is the owner of Smooth You.
Visit them on Facebook - Smooth You Med Spa Boutique.  

 

Welcome:
Four Stars Books & Games
107 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, IN 47501
(812) 259-2035

About: We love entertainment! Video games (New & Retro), DVDs, Books, Electronics, Vinyl, Comics, and RPG Books and Dice! PC repair with FREE estimates! We Buy, Sell, and Trade!

Here at Four Star: Books And Games we pride ourselves in 4 STAR QUALITY REPAIRS at the lowest possible prices! Don’t throw your money away on a new system. Make your electronics last longer, and operate more efficiently! Let us keep your electronics like new, and keep more cash in your pocket!  

Four Star: Books And Games - because if it’s not the best, it just isn’t worth it!
Visit them on Facebook - FourStarBooksandGames

Welcome:
EyeWorks
109 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(512) 254-1600

About: Glasses and Contacts in about one hour!
We are a full service optometric practice. We have 5 fulltime optometrists on staff along with 3 visiting Opthalmologists, one being a retinal specialist. We perform full eye health examinations, along with fitting glasses and all types of contact lenses. We have the largest inventory of the latest eyeglasses and contact lenses in the area. We also have a state of the art computerized optical lab to produce the finest eyeglasses for you in about one hour.  Visit Them on Facebook - ILikeEyeWorks.

Expanded in to large space:
Anytime Fitness
101 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-2200

About: 24 Hour Fitness Club with Personal Training and Tanning available. Visit them on Facebook - AnyTimeFitnessWashingtonIn.

Coming soon: Jimbo’s Pizza and Wings! The current businesses located in the plaza include Peebles Department Store, Jay C Foods, Orscheln Farm & Home, Trader Baker’s, GNC, Radio Shack, Fiesta Salon, Hibbett Sports, Great Wall Restaurant.

Get your business in the right location!
Commercial Space available for lease in Washington, Indiana.

Suite 100 @ 2,000 sf

Suite 112 @ 910 sf

Suite 114 @ 5,425 sf

Suite 116 @ 1,200 sf

Contact the Management Team: Rhonda Lusco

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com