If I was a discount store March 11, 2008

I need to go out to the store and get some things.  I used to go to a store that I will call “YALMART” for all my incidentals.  Then a new store I’ll call “VARGET” came to  town.   VARGET seemed so much nicer to me.  It was clean and bright inside VARGET, where it feels dull and depressing in YALMART.  I’m sure that the marketing experts could tell me exactly what was done (or not done) in each of these chains to elicit these feelings.  All I know is that I feel happier in VARGET than in YALMART.  Every shelf is stocked in VARGET and neatly organized.  The employees seem happier and more helpful in VARGET.  I want to buy everything I see because of how I feel in VARGET.  On the other hand, I have picked up merchandise many times from the floor in YALMART just so that my cart could pass through the aisles.  Usually I can’t wait to be out of there, often feeling in need of a hot shower.  I still patronize YALMART but only when VARGET doesn’t have what I need (which is not that often).

All this makes me think about the impression I make when anyone first “walks through my doors” so to speak.  I have been like YALMART far too often in my first impression.  Poor lighting (from within) and kind of a mess inside.  I want people to be impressed with my stocked shelves (I’m referring to what I have to offer) and feel calm in my bright and shiny presence.  I want people to not dread their visit.  I guess I have some work to do…..

Pay attention to the people who cross your path in a day. Are they clear and bright and do you look forward to your experience with them, or are you wanting to straighten the things on their shelves and can’t wait to be out in the fresh air again?  Are you warm and welcoming or do people only want to visit when they can’t find what they need anywhere else?