Branding at its core is rooted in psychology and human behaviour - it’s how your customers think and feel about you, your products and your business, and more than ever with so many brands out there, we, as founders, need to be able to cut through the noise, set ourselves apart from our competitors and build trusted relationships with our customers if we want to grow. In episode 135 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I speak to brand consultant Cara Bendon. With 10 years experience of running her own award-winning studio, Cara and her team help small lifestyle businesses create standout brands. In this episode, we break down branding as we talk about colour theory, shelf appeal, and the importance of cohesiveness and consistency in establishing trust. We also discuss the power of the little touches, tone of voice and the paradox of practising sustainability while offering an excellent unboxing experience. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and get your copy of “Tame Your Tiger” at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048 Check out Cara’s services at https://www.carabendon.com/ and connect with her at: https://www.instagram.com/carabendon/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carabendon/
Mar 2, 2023
36 min
My first book, “Tame Your Tiger: How to stop your product business eating you alive“ was finally released this week and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! To really celebrate this momentous occasion, I’ve decided to spend this episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan sharing an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into the book, where I’ll discuss my writing process, who the book’s for and why I wrote it, as well as the key learnings and takeaways small businesses can hope to find within its pages. But today’s podcast comes with one major twist in the form of today’s guest - in that today’s guest is me! That’s right, it’s a Resilient Retail role reversal, where I’m being interviewed by none other than fellow author (‘Hype Yourself’) and PR expert, Lucy Werner. Throughout our discussion of the development and evolution of the book, we touch on numerous topics such as the lessons that small businesses can learn from big-budget corporate strategy, and the ever-present tension between the creative impetus that leads many people to start their own businesses and the need to be on top of your numbers. We also cover my favourite tip from the book and most importantly deconstruct the three problem areas that constitute an untamed tiger. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and get your copy of “Tame Your Tiger” at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048 Many thanks to Lucy for doing a wonderful job as today's host! Check out her services at https://www.thewern.com/lucy and pick up a copy of her amazing book “Hype Yourself here: https://www.hypeyourself.com/shop
Feb 23, 2023
35 min
In today's episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to give you my expert support in order for you to understand better the figures that can ultimately make or break your small business. We’re already barrelling towards March and 2023 is looking no less uncertain for independent retail - that’s why we need to embrace and closely monitor our numbers to help us stay in control and lay out a clear and confident strategy for the future of our brands. This subject is actually the basis of a talk I did at the beginning of February at this year's Spring Fair at Birmingham MEC, but I’m very excited to say that this episode will be discussed through the lens and give you a real sense of my brand-new, soon to be released book, “Tame Your Tiger: How to Stop Your Product Business Eating You Alive”. We’ll start by covering the Tiger’s bite. We’ll study the most important number in your small business - the ‘in-margin’, as defined by your product costs, and we’ll discuss how to grow your ‘out-margin’ by reviewing your sale-relative expenditure. We’ll also look at how much you’re feeding your tiger and how using break-even analysis can help model future costs. I’ll explain how the 80/20 rule can help you better identify the desires of your customers, and we’ll finish at the Tiger’s tail, where we’ll discuss the dangers of unproductive stock to the longevity of your small business. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and to get your copy first, remember to pre-order Tame Your Tiger at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048
Feb 16, 2023
27 min
It may still be a whole six weeks away but Mother’s Day is the biggest gift-giving event in the UK outside of Christmas, out-selling both Valentine’s and Father’s day! The cost of living crisis and the ongoing recession are still presenting plenty of challenges to the retail industry, so all the while that we’re seeing less impulse purchasing and less discretionary spending, it’s important that small product businesses are ready and prepared to make the most of the somewhat spending-protected gift-giving occasions. So, in today’s episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to share with you twelve top tips to help your small business finesse your messaging and tune into your customers, so you can make the most of Mother’s Day in 2023. In this podcast, we’ll discuss making things easier for ‘time-poor’ customers by creating gift guides and curating offerings such as gift bundles. We’ll talk about the perfect pairing of presents and personalisation, offering add-ons like gift-wrapping and how best to implement promotions across your range. We’ll also look at retargeting customers, revisiting wholesale and how now might be the perfect time to launch your newest products. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and to get your copy first, remember to pre-order Tame Your Tiger at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048
Feb 9, 2023
27 min
Coming off the back of my 5-day challenge, across the various conversations, questions and queries that arose during the week, I noticed some commonalities and a number of reoccurring themes when it came to the real-life experience of running a small product business. In episode 131 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I’ll be using those stories and discussions to elaborate on what I consider to be five essential traits you need to thrive as a small product business this year. In this podcast, we’ll discuss curiosity and adopting a ‘what if’ mindset. We’ll look at optimism and how positivity effects action. We’ll talk about obsessing over our customers, operating with as much flexibility as possible and we’ll finish on how success in these areas affords you that all-important quality - resilience! Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and to get your copy first, remember to pre-order Tame Your Tiger at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048
Feb 2, 2023
25 min
January is a funny month in retail - starting back up after the highs of the Christmas selling season can make the new year feel exceptionally tough-going, and with Christmas never being as restful as you’d think, for many business owners January is the first time they’re really able to recuperate and have a think about the year ahead, all whilst trying to shift stock throughout the post-Xmas lull. Over the years I’ve noticed that a lot of the advice available about planning for the year ahead is rarely produced with product businesses in mind - so, in episode 130 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to share my top four tips for getting ready for Spring and beyond. In this podcast, we’ll discuss giving your January sale one, big, final push, shifting stock and getting cash in your pocket. We’ll talk about recapping the month, running your numbers and getting a clearer view of the state of your business. We’ll also talk about planning beyond Spring, setting your intentions and making the most of the imminent bunch of gift-giving occasions. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club, and to get your copy of my new book first, remember to pre-order "Tame Your Tiger" at: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tame-your-tiger-how-to-stop-your-product-business-eating-you-alive/9781788604048
Jan 26, 2023
12 min
129 | Six Seductive Reasons Why Your Customer Will Buy From Your Small Business This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day, one of the first annual holiday occasions of the year, is just over the horizon, and it may surprise you to hear that its popularity is actually on the rise. As a seasonal retail event, Valentine’s day has always seen some considerable spending, but as people spend less on themselves and make fewer impulse purchases during this economic downturn, we can expect to see more of people's disposable income directed towards gifting, making occasions like Valentine’s day all the more important for retailers. Now, as product business owners, most of you will have gift-able items, but perhaps their relation to or suitability as Valentine’s day gifts isn’t immediately apparent. That’s why in episode 129 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to give you my take on why the broadening of the concept of Valentine’s day means you have nothing to lose by embracing the love and capitalising on a major spending occasion. In this podcast, we’ll look at date nights, gifts for your loved ones and showing your appreciation to your pals and gals. We’ll also discuss self-gifting, landing the right messaging for your audience and how even the family cats and dogs are getting in on the fun. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. Register today for my FREE 5-day challenge, running 23rd - 27th January 2023 at: Tinyurl.com/sales2023
Jan 19, 2023
20 min
So, we’re well and truly into the new year now and just as the pains and challenges of the Covid pandemic are starting to fade gradually, we’re now stuck looking for ways to deal with a whole new set of challenges in the form of a cost of living crisis and the fact that the UK economy is now officially in a recession. It all may sound a bit bleak, but in episode 128 of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I want to use my in-depth research and share with you the conversations I’ve been having with a variety of experts - from business consultants to trend forecasters - to cover and explain the major industry trends that will shape retail this year. In today’s episode, we’ll look at the steadfastness of gift-giving during periods of low consumer confidence and study the rising popularity of the resale and second-hand markets. We’ll also discuss and break down the post-pandemic shifts in e-commerce and channel diversification, as well taking a look at how retail relationships are shifting from brands and customers to individuals and fans. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. Register today for my FREE 5-day challenge, running 23rd - 27th January 2023 at: Tinyurl.com/sales2023
Jan 12, 2023
36 min
So, we’ve made it - 2023 is here! Times have been tough for the retail industry for a good, long while now and who knows what unforeseen events lie ahead as we enter a new year, but against the odds and throughout the uncertainty I still believe the most important thing I can recommend you do for your business this year is to plan, plan and plan! Now, you may well be asking, “Catherine! Why make a plan when things are always changing?”, and it all comes down to perspective - we’re a very outcome-led society and I want to suggest that the value of a plan is not in its success but in the thought process required to put it together. In this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I’ll discuss how planning is a highly creative process and why it’s important to find a way to plan for your business that feels natural to you. We’ll talk about setting financial, functional and fun goals and discuss how mapping out your vision of success can help keep you more focused, prioritise what’s important and help you make better decisions. Don’t forget - use the code: 10podcast to get £10 off your first month when joining The Resilient Retail Club. Register today for my FREE 5-day challenge, running 23rd - 27th January 2023 at: Tinyurl.com/sales2023
Jan 5, 2023
23 min
That’s it! Christmas Day has come and gone, and with any mercy, you can take some proper time out in these few days before 2023! It’s been a tough year, with the combined challenges of post-pandemic life, postal strikes and the cost of living crisis (to name a few!) hitting small product businesses hard and no doubt causing founders and business owners alike untold stress. That’s why in this episode of The Resilient Retail Game Plan, we're doing something a bit different as I speak to my incredible yoga teacher Martyna Borek about the importance of stress relief and how we can all seize a moment of calm in our often chaotic lives. In today's podcast, we talk about the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and the consequences for our body and mind when we’re forever in 'fight' mode. We also discuss the concept of the threat bucket and the importance of allowing ourselves to ditch the mediation and freak out when things get too much. But most importantly Martyna kindly shares her tips for ‘hacking your brain’ with some illuminating neuroscience and cleansing breathing techniques. Check out Martyna's classes, workshops and retreats at: https://martynaborekyoga.com/ And connect with her at: https://www.facebook.com/martynaborekyoga/ https://www.instagram.com/martynaborekyoga/
Dec 29, 2022
29 min
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