Wow….the last day of summer…..You can tell it's the beginning of fall here in the north when schools reopen, the air gets crisper, leaves begin to change color….and can you believe it….Halloween decorations, costumes and candy have already arrived in the stores…it’s hard to say what is more frightening, spooky costumes or that overwhelming urge to head south to warmer parts of the world!!!
As we “fall forward” I must say that your insights over the last few weeks have been amazing….we’ve learned how to combat slow winter months in summer tourist towns, how to best use the web for marketing, the “WOW…why didn’t I think of that” things you do to keep your regulars coming back….and, honestly…who knew a banana in a jar could be the next anti-pest superhero????
And hey, it’s really all about the relationships….beyond the way you are connecting with each other here at CoffeehouseTalk….one of coolest things that I’ve noticed is how many of you have figured out…in so many different ways…that connecting with and giving back to your community is more than just good karma….it’s good for you, your customers, your community, and usually pretty darn good for business….so my question for the day is….how do YOU connect?
Giving Back
We partner with a local school and adobt a family in need. I purchase an artifical Christmas tree with lights, a skirt, and tree topper. I put a sign on the tree with the family statistics and ask my customers to help decorate the tree and have a jar up front to collect money. I go local businesses in my shopping center and ask for donations of gift certificates etc. A local hair solon cuts the families hair and gives them a coupon for a picture with Santa. They get a picture and family portrait as a gift. My staff and I buy them Christmas dinner. On Christmas Eve our local Santa and a motorcade of Police
escort a fully decorated tree, donated gifts, money and food to their home. We call it our Christmas Tree of Hope.
I have also started a 12 month campaign recognizing civil servants. In conjuction with local newspapers and public service radio stations. Each month we will select a civil service group for example firemen. All participating stores in the area will put ballad boxes in their store for nominations
At the end of the month one person will be selected and each participating store will give the winner a
gift. Thier name will go in the paper and they will be recognized for their outstanding contribution to our community. It benefits us to get more foot traffic and helps increase business. More importantly,
we create loyal and grateful customers.
giving back
We raised Christmas funds for the Family Resources Group of the 82nd Airborne home based in our state by selling mugs commemorating the unit. 100% of sales was directed back to them, the cost of the mugs written of on marketing costs. Also, word from several who would know, and had I known during our campaign, socks, particularly fresh white sports socks, are seriously coveted by those serving in Iraq and other desert areas, so maybe for Christmas others could do a sock drive and send them to their local national guard unit for distribution abroad, or to some other military unit they would like to support.