| I was on my way to Hillsdale, Michigan and stopped | | | | It sets you apart from your competition, sets a tone |
| at a gas station/convenience store in the small town | | | | of professionalism for your staff, and shows your |
| of Quincy. Frankly, I did not need gas, but needed to | | | | customers that you care about them. |
| use the facilities. I planned on going, then going. | | | | Here are four fantastic ways to keep your store |
| But the bathroom changed all that. You see, the | | | | looking ship shape: |
| bathroom was SPOTLESS. | | | | |
| And it had been decorated. It was not exactly my | | | | 1. Create opening and closing checklists that detail |
| style... the flowers were plastic, there were cut-out | | | | everything that must be done to keep your store |
| murals of big bucks shown through the cross hairs of | | | | looking good. |
| a rifle scope, and the top of the toilet's tank had | | | | 2. Lead by example. If you want a clean counter let |
| been transformed into a miniature NASCAR track, | | | | your staff see you cleaning it - often. They watch |
| complete with match box cars. | | | | your feet, not your lips. |
| But it was clear that someone cared enough to | | | | 3. Hire some one to do the jobs that are not getting |
| spend the time and put in the effort to create a | | | | done. For example, dirty windows give a terrible fist |
| bathroom that was great for their customers. | | | | impression. If you can not seem to get around to |
| The pride those folks showed in their business MADE | | | | washing your windows, hire a service to come and |
| me go in and spend money. I did not need anything, | | | | do them for you. |
| but I ended up spending a few bucks on water, a | | | | 4. Give your store a spring and fall Super Cleaning. |
| lottery ticket, (I did not win) and a candy bar. | | | | Throw away all your junk, dust every shelf, get into |
| Remember, 67% of people who stop shopping with | | | | the corners. A sparkling store will do wonders for |
| you leave because of "perceived indifference"... they | | | | everyone's outlook, including your customers. I will |
| think you do not care about them. | | | | leave you with one of my favorite retail sayings - my |
| Now, a decked out bathroom may not work for | | | | past employees will remember it well... "If you have |
| your store, but you can... | | | | got time to lean, you have got time to clean. |
| KEEP YOUR STORE SPOTLESS. | | | | |