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How many times have you heard this lately: \u201cWow, flat is good\u201d? In fact we have heard it said that sales being \u201cflat\u201d is actually \u201cup,\u201d especially when compared to many businesses today.<\/p>\nHow many times have you heard this lately: \u201cWow, flat is good\u201d? In fact we have heard it said that sales being \u201cflat\u201d is actually \u201cup,\u201d especially when compared to many businesses today.<\/p>\n
Over 33 years ago when I started into business at Nashville Wraps I hardly knew which way was up. My dad, who was both my antagonist and mentor, told me something I have never forgotten. It is still good advice today. He said, \u201cKeep sales moving up, because just being flat is really going backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Over the course of the past year we have been talking about the changes in business and society. Our blogs The New Normal and the more recent New Normal goes to market<\/a> tell in part that business is going through an adjustment phase which is redefining what \u201cnormal\u201d is. One of the prominent vendors at the Atlanta Market told me that showroom traffic was down at least 20% and that \u201c20% is the new flat\u201d, according to show management (he said with a smirk). He also said that that for most people flat is really good, although every fiber of salesmanship inside us doesn\u2019t agree…But, \u201cIt is what it is.\u201d Or is it?<\/p>\n Show Traffic<\/strong>: As you would expect, traffic at the Atlanta Gift Show was down compared to a year ago and certainly two years ago. There were telltale, obvious signs, like no waiting for elevators, registration desks with few people registering, short or no lines at the food vendors, and the ability to actually walk at a regular stride as opposed to baby steps while turning sideways.\u00a0 But the the buyers in attendance came to buy and are preparing themselves for an improved holiday season this year.<\/p>\n Positive Momentum:<\/strong> That said, there was a lot of positive momentum building at the show.\u00a0 The question we get asked often is, \u201cHow\u2019s business?\u201d; facts are that we are up and had a great\u00a0show in Atlanta… had a good one in Dallas, and in New York too.\u00a0 I just can\u2019t shake what my dad told me long ago and neither can those of us who work together and make Nashville Wraps what it is today.<\/p>\n New Products:<\/strong> One of my industry friends and associates asked me, \u201cMan\u2026do you ever sleep?\u201d I asked, \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d He responded, \u201cYou guys have been introducing a ton of new products all year.\u201d And indeed we have. It is a part of not being flat. We have added new products, created new designs, and made new partnerships, and will continue to do so.\u00a0 See our New Products at Nashville Wraps<\/a>.\u00a0 Our 2009 Holiday Line<\/a> has frankly been a show stopper, thanks to our world class research and development team.<\/p>\n Opportunity Knocks:<\/strong> No matter which region you live in, a show is an opportunity. It is a place where aspiring new companies come to exercise their entrepreneurial talents and meet their ultimate judge and jury\u2026the professional retailer. It is an opportunity for us as well, to we meet new people and strengthen ties with existing customers and vendors. But more importantly, it is where we come to spot trends, make strategies, form alliances and adjust our thinking, all to accomplish one thing: to do better than \u201cflat.\u201d To this end we have succeeded.<\/p>\n There is a post-it note on my computer screen. I put it there back in January. It says, \u201cFind out what customers need and deliver it to them.\u201d There are many reasons that Nashville Wraps can still find positive sales trends in a down market. (See Don’t just survive…prosper). I believe you can too, because you are still in charge of your own fate in business.<\/p>\n Related articles: Don\u2019t look now, but is business picking up?<\/a>; Transform Your Business By Being Remarkable<\/a>; The New Normal and New Normal goes to market<\/a>.<\/p>\n