Super Birds Flock to SuperZoo
The following blog entry was written by Nancy Riegler. Nancy has made appearances on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and Larry King Live and will be presenting at SuperZoo.
SuperZoo here we come! I can’t believe how lucky I am to be a part of this amazing event.
Over the past thirty years, I have been training and presenting bird and animal shows in a variety of venues: from theme parks to the San Diego Zoo to state and county fairs across the West. The past twenty years have been devoted to my own family of performing animals and birds and together we have appeared on the Tonight Show, Paulie (the Movie) Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, Larry King Live and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Together with my beautiful, performing birds, we have traveled from San Diego to Tennessee, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Nevada. We have met so many wonderful people… and none so wonderful as those who are crazy about their animals! That is why I am so excited about SuperZoo. I feel like a kid counting days down until Christmas.
I always look forward to opportunities that bring the birds and I up close with people who share a similar passion. I get to teach a lot. I get to LEARN a lot and most of all; I get to share my beautiful, brilliant feathered family with those of like mind.
I just hope we can fit everything we want to share in our allotted show times! We have singing parrots, talking parrots, movie stars and exotic jungle jewels like Maya the Toucan to amazing and entertain. We also have two, brand new little characters… Mango and Tango, the baby sun conures getting ready to make their show biz debut right at SuperZoo. (They are just learning to fly to the hand and they are such little clowns!)
This is going to be a great event and I can’t wait to meet everyone. In fact, why wait?! I’m heading over to the SuperZoo facebook page to say hello right now!
Talk to you soon and see you in Vegas!
Nancy
Come see the Performing Bird Show by Nancy Riegler on Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:00 AM, 1:30 and 4:00 PM, and Thursday at 11:00 AM, 12:30 and 2:00 PM.
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SuperZoo University – Cause Marketing
The following blog was written by Bob Negen, author, retail trainer, public speaker, and founder of WhizBang! Training.
Partnering with a Charity is a Win-Win!
by Bob Negen
One of the best feelings in the world is giving to those in need. And the amazing thing is that the more you give away, the more you get in return. Many of you have probably already experienced this personally, but it’s an idea that can be put to work in your business, too.
Giving money to your customers’ favorite charity or non-profit group is a sure-fire way to build great relationships.
Here are four tips on how to make donating to a charity work for your business – and do some good in the process!
1) Find A Charity That Has An Affinity, A Good Fit, For You And Your Customers.
If you own a tattoo parlor, the garden club is probably not the best place to give your donation. However, if you are a Garden Center, giving to the garden club might be something your customers find valuable and relevant.
2) Big Organizations Are Good, But Local Ones Are Better.
For example, a women’s clothing store might choose to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and that would be fantastic, but the money donated may seem a little remote. Giving to a local women’s shelter where the customers could actually see the result of their giving might be even better.
3) Let Your Imagination Go…. There Are Lots Of Ways To Give.
You could have a special after-hours event (or many events for many charities) where a percentage of your sales go to the charity.
You could designate a different charity every month and give to twelve different charities.
You could donate time instead of money. Run a promotion where you’ll donate a minute of your staff’s time for every dollar spent. Then you’d pay your crew to go help build Habitat for Humanity houses, or work at the local soup kitchen.
4) Toot Your Own Horn!
Make sure the information about your charitable giving is posted in your store so your customers know that their purchases are being used for good works.
Write press releases, especially if you are doing special events to generate contribution dollars. These events are news worthy (so likely to actually be reported by the paper) and could generate tons of free publicity for you. And the more people that know about your giving, the more donations you’ll get.
Partnering with charities is called Cause Marketing and it’s easy to execute, super low cost, super high impact marketing that is a win-win for you and your community.
To learn more, attend Bob Negen’s SuperZoo University Seminar, “Cause Marketing: A Great Way to Get New Customers, Build Buzz and Do Good, All at the Same Time” on Tuesday, September 13 from 1 to 2 PM.
SuperZoo – The Benefits of Attending
Being in business means you are on a budget. With daily expenses to pay for, you may be thinking that spending the extra cash to travel to Las Vegas and attend SuperZoo may not make sense. But with all that SuperZoo has to offer, you really should reconsider.
SuperZoo is not only a place to showcase new products and discuss industry trends, it’s a platform to make important contacts, get good deals, and gain important insight. The many facets of SuperZoo will take you beyond your current business plan and will help you to tap into new resources.
One of the most straight forward ways to get a return on your SuperZoo investment is by maximizing your buying power. SuperZoo exhibitors will be offering exclusive show specials that will help you to increase your profit margins and stretch your budget. Take advantage of the discounted pricing!
SuperZoo University is an important part of SuperZoo, and an important part to learning how you can better your business. With some of the top experts in the industry speaking on topics including Staff Development & Management; Marketing; Sales; Animal Wellness; and Technology/Internet, you are sure to gain insight and generate ideas on how you can better your business.
Networking is a key component to any blossoming business. What better place to network than at SuperZoo, a community of pet industry professionals! By attending SuperZoo, you will build valuable relationships that will help you for years to come. From industry experts to business owners just like you, you can walk away from SuperZoo with invaluable contacts to add to your rolodex.
As consumer trends change and the pet industry changes, businesses need to change with it in order to succeed. SuperZoo will allow you to follow these changes and take home the new ideas and information you need to compete in today’s economy. Register today!
SuperZoo – Control Your Inventory
The following blog was written by Susan Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Training and business expert. Susan will be a guest speaker at SuperZoo University.
Manage Your Inventory Like Your Business Depends On It, Because It Does.
By Susan Negen
Chances are you have more money invested in your inventory than anywhere else in your business. It’s your largest asset and your biggest expense.
Too much inventory or the wrong assortments of inventory are heavy financial burdens to carry in difficult economic times. They can easily drag you under.
Here are three important strategies for managing your inventory in uncertain times.
- Use “open-to-buy” planning. This is the most powerful way to keep your inventory at an appropriate level.
- Always buy bestsellers. Don’t fall into the trap of stopping all purchases if your sales drop and inventory levels balloon. You still need to generate sales and your customers count on you to have their favorites in stock.
- Be ruthless marking down the “dogs”. Excess stock sitting on your selling floor should be turned into cash to pay the bills and cover the payroll.
There are many, many more ways to “buy smart”. Start doing it today!
To learn more about managing your inventory, attend Susan Negen’s “Control Your Inventory, (Don’t Let it Control You)” seminar at SuperZoo University on
Wednesday, September 14 from 1 to 2 PM.
SuperZoo University – Reptile Husbandry from Zoo Med Labs, Inc.
Are you still trying to decide which seminars to attend at SuperZoo University? Check out the following information about the seminar “Reptile Lighting & Heating Facts” hosted by experts from Zoo Med Labs, Inc.
Specialty lighting and heating are the most important topics in reptile husbandry, and also one of the most misunderstood. Come join your friends at Zoo Med to learn the basics of these categories and learn sales techniques that will drive sales and help you become a resource for your customers. The lighting and heating category should lead to add-on sales with every reptile sold. A solid understanding of this category will make the difference between success and failure for your customers.
We will discuss commonly used terms such as; UVA, UVB, UVC, Heat, Photoperiod & Thermoregulation. Learn how to set up Lighting and Heating devices for different species of reptiles and in different terrarium applications. Learn to build sales at the store level through customer education and the importance of reptile specific Lighting and Heating. We will also be discussing different types of accessories stores should carry to complement reptile specific Lighting and Heating sales. An open question and comment forum will allow store owners to ask specific questions about this category.
Speakers:
Keith Morris- National Sales Manager
Andy Quinn- Education Coordinator
Seminar Times:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 1-2 pm
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 8-9 am
SuperZoo University – Adding On Adds Up to Bigger Sales!
The following blog was written by Bob Negen, author, retail trainer, public speaker, and founder of WhizBang! Training.
Adding On Adds Up to Bigger Sales!
By Bob Negen
If you want to give your staff a fun and easy way to increase sales, designate one or two push items to show customers at the cash register.
Make sure these “add-ons” are fun, easy to sell, and perhaps most importantly, are high margin items. One of our customers used a “Fizz Ball” – a bath salts ball in beautiful colors and delicious scents that fizzes when you drop it in the tub. I used to sell a “Whistling Balloon Helicopter” that never failed to make it in the customer’s bag once it was demonstrated to the customer.
But there’s an important secret to adding on correctly…
The secret to making this a super sales generator is to make sure that your staff shows every customer one of the push items at the cash register BEFORE they give the total dollar amount for the sale. Then they haven’t already mentally cashed out prior to the extra sale.
Try it in your store, I guarantee this little tip will generate thousands of extra dollars in sales per year if you use it consistently.
To learn more, attend Bob Negen’s SuperZoo University Seminar, “Turn Your Staff into a Selling Machine” on Tuesday, September 13 from 11 AM to 12 PM and Thursday, September 15 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
World Pet Association Co-Hosts Inaugural Pet Industry Executive Summit in Conjunction with SuperZoo
The World Pet Association is pleased to hold the Pet Industry Executive Summit in conjunction with SuperZoo. Please read the press release inserted below for more information…
World Pet Association Co-Hosts Inaugural Pet Industry Executive Summit in Conjunction with SuperZoo
The World Pet Association, Pet Industry Advisory and Pet Product News International magazine partner to provide pet retailers, manufacturers, distributors and media professionals with an outlet to discuss industry challenges and find industry solutions
MONROVIA, Calif. – The World Pet Association, Pet Industry Advisory and Pet Product News International magazine will host the 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011. The Summit will precede SuperZoo, the World Pet Association’s annual pet industry trade show.
The 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit will provide an outlet for people to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the pet industry and uncover new solutions and strategies by bringing together pet retailers, manufacturers, distributors and media professionals – the decision-makers and thought leaders in the industry.
The Pet Industry Executive Summit will feature eight seminars covering the pressing concerns of pet industry businesses with topics ranging from market demographics and legislative issues, to consumer buying habits and how to spot the next hot product. The majority of the seminars will provide attendees with multiple perspectives from each side of the pet industry – retailer, manufacturer, and distributor.
Also scheduled for this one-day event are four panel discussions. The discussions scheduled are:
• Building Effective Partnerships Between Distributors, Manufacturers and Retailers;
• Differentiating Your Store from the Competition – Proven strategies to jump start your customer acquisition campaign;
• Channel Wars: When Products Migrate from Independents to Big Box and Mass; and
• Social Media: When Customers Talk, Are You Listening?
The 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit is set for September 12, 2011, the day before SuperZoo, a trade show that is also dedicated to improving the pet industry through networking and collaborating with other industry professionals. SuperZoo will take place September 13 to 15, 2011, also at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Special rates for the Pet Industry Executive Summit are available to SuperZoo attendees.
For more information on the 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit, visit www.SuperZoo.org/pies.
About the World Pet Association:
The World Pet Association (WPA), formerly the World Wide Pet Industry Association, is the oldest industry organization promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services. As society’s “humanization” of pets grows stronger, WPA knows it is important to inform and educate the general public to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for our animal friends. WPA plays host to America’s Family Pet Expo, the largest consumer show in the world, hosted annually in Costa Mesa, Calif., and beginning in July 2011 in Puyallup, Wash. The organization also holds SuperZoo (www.superzoo.org), an annual pet industry trade show that showcases a comprehensive collection of exhibits and offers a variety of informative educational seminars known as SuperZoo University. WPA also offers Pet Industry Briefs, a free weekly e-newsletter containing vital industry information at your fingertips. For more information on WPA or to sign up for Pet Industry Briefs, please visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
Isn’t it Time for your Pet Business to Use Social Media?
The following blog was written by Lynn Switanowski-Barrett, founder of Creative Business Consulting Group. Lynn will be a featured speaker at SuperZoo University.
Another survey came out this week talking about business owners not using social media as a marketing tool. The survey shows that more than 47% of small business owners are NOT using social media in their regular marketing efforts. (Hiscox Insurance) The number one reason why: Business owners suggest that they don’t see the payoff for the time and energy they invest.
At CBCG, we couldn’t disagree more. If we met to discuss marketing your pet business, I’m sure we would both agree that the goal of marketing for any business – large or small – is to connect with customers and share insights and information about the business. The key to successful marketing is to deliver the message in the right forum where your customers will read it.
If that premise holds true, then I suggest that there is a prime opportunity for pet business owners to use social media as a marketing tool. If your customers are spending time on Facebook, or watching videos on YouTube or Tweeting on Twitter, than you should be there marketing your business and engaging with them WHERE THEY ARE.
Reaching customers today is no different than when you marketed your business 20 years ago. You used newspaper ads, radio spots or yellow pages to deliver marketing messages because that’s where your customers were. Today, many of those same customers have migrated to social media to connect with businesses.
The challenge is that some small business owners (pet store owners included) are not as comfortable using social media as a marketing tool as their customers because they know less about it or feel behind the curve when it comes to adoption of social media practices.
That uncomfortable feeling is limiting your success at connecting with customers and driving sales for your business. I promise, the tools are not that hard to figure out and once you decide to jump in, there are many resources available to you to help you create a message using social media that will reach your customers effectively.
The time to start using social media for your business is NOW. Your customers already are.
Lynn Switanowski-Barrett is the founder of Creative Business Consulting Group, an international retail-consulting firm based in Boston, MA. CBCG works with businesses of all size to create and implement social media, marketing and inventory management strategies. For more information, please contact CBCG directly at (617) 437-9191 or visit us on the web at www.cbc-group.net
Connect with us via social media:
Twitter:@retailhelper
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cbcgroup
Hear Lynn speak at the following SuperZoo University Seminars:
Social Media Workshop for Retailers – Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 8am-12 pm
Customer Connection 2.0 Media Trends for 2011 and Beyond – Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 8-9 am and Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 11 am-12 pm
Creative Styling in Grooming Could Equal Cash Prizes!
Groomers – put down your sheers, pick up your props and get ready for some stylin’ fun! Ok, maybe you shouldn’t put down your sheers just yet, but you SHOULD get your creativity caps on as one of the Groomer SuperShow Grooming Contests at SuperZoo is the Creative Styling Competition.
Sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Animal Health, The Creative Styling Competition allows you to put your talents to work by not only designing your dog’s do, but also staging the set! Using props and music for the presentation, you can exhibit your exquisitely groomed dog. How does it work? At the competition, you will be given a designated 5’x5’ area to set up with props. Your dog must be completely groomed and finished before pre-judging begins. Contestants will then be judged on the originality and creativity of the design and theme, the quality of styling techniques, and the quality and harmony of the final presentation.
Are your creative juices flowing? Register today for the Creative Styling Competition at SuperZoo’s Groomer SuperShow. Then put your ideas on paper and plan out your props so you can take home the $2000 1st Place cash prize!
For more details on the Creative Styling Competition as well as the other SuperShow Grooming Contests, visit www.SuperZoo.org and click on the “Groomer Super Show” tab.
