WHERE TO FIND GOOD NEWS IN YOUR BUSINESS

It is not uncommon for small business owners to be drawn to bad news or what could be seen as bad news. We think that is unhealthy for the individual and for the business. Hence, this advice on places where you might find good news in your business:

1. Data. Often, deep in business performance data, is good news. Even the smallest data point can be good news. It could be a category in a department, or one supplier in a large department, or even a single item.
   1. One store saw stationery decline 25%. Within stationery, one brand of pens were up year on year. That cold be a starting point around which to grow.
   2. One store saw an overall decline in revenue by 12%. However, once an analysis of what was sold was gone, the GP$ achieved had increase thanks to migration to higher margin product.
2. Customers. Their good stories are your good stories. By telling good stories people will know you like them and will be more likely to share their good stories with you - in-store and on social media.
3. De-clutterting. This is healthy work, making for a better, leaner business. Mental health experts say that decluttering the home is good for mental health. We think the same could be true for business. decluttering helps you find good news.
4. Action. Good news can be found in action, in taking a step forward. Complaint is not action. Action is changing a display, quitting dead stock, moving stock, recasting the counter, anything you can do that is designed to attract more shoppers and get shoppers buying more.

We urge you to resist spending time on bad news and to, instead, look for good news. If that is difficult, set on a path to create good news.

Reach out for help. That is what we are here for.