Two Minute Tweaks w/ Lisa Uhrik

Tweak #090: Join or Die

Inspired by Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone and Netflix special Join or Die, we're exploring the reason we'll likely have no Christmas parade in our small town this year... and importantly, underscoring the vital importance of the small gatherings we facilitate as bookstores.  As we navigate a world where traditional community bonds are weakening, we are reminded of the power of connection and the importance of revitalizing our communal ties. From the significance of book clubs to the potential of shared community initiatives, this week's tweak highlights why fostering a sense of togetherness is more vital than ever.

Tweak #089: Not Rote, but Real

Peter Miller's Shopkeeping book inspires a look at the way we greet each other in the bookshop. We all are subject to falling into our routines and this is perhaps the most profound tweak yet, rooted in the simplicity of a real "I see you" greeting. 

Let this episode inspire you to foster real relationships and enrich the experiences of everyone who walks through your doors. Listen now!

Tweak #088: Preparing for the Unimaginable

As we think about and offer help to our colleagues hurt by Hurricane Helene, it's a moment to take stock of those things we don't think about every day: insurance, fighting for our rights, and how to get the payouts when we need them. Click to listen now!

Tweak #087: The "Pow" of Specialness and Scarcity at Powell's

If Indiana Jones went for the Holy Grail and found it in a heap of other stuff, it wouldn't seem nearly so worth the quest. Let's look at the power of creating feelings of specialness and scarcity in your displays this week with a great example from Madeleine Moore at Powell's Books.  

Tweak #086: Are We Telling Our Stories This Well?

Inspired by the NPR article on DJ Johnson's Baldwin & Co, we're thinking about telling the story of your store today. How is it possible for a person in TN to know so much about a store in NOLA – to know their story, their initiatives, their whys?  It's rooted in great storytelling, and inspires us all to think about our uniquely wonderful store's stories. Click to listen now!

Tweak #085: Who's The One?

A book display that is for everyone, is not really for anyone. We create powerful connections when we design for a specific person – or persona – that is your focus customer. Learning from an expert in persona identification, apply some simple techniques and identify your target person so that your display can really connect.

Tweak #084: Hope for the Bottom Shelves

After seeing many great stores with some hungry-looking bottom shelves, Lisa brings attention to this valuable space with proven strategies that bring hope (and sales!) to the bottom. The key is visibility and connected content that sizzles. For visibility: if you've got Franklin Fixtures, you've likely got a the superpower of a tipped bottom shelf, or even a flared or tapered case, all designed for visibility and sales. Let's use them!

Tweak #083: We're In a Different Business Than They Are

Join Lisa Uhrik in this week's Two Minute Tweak – a small shift in thinking that hopefully has a big result in your store.

Though I cringe when I watch someone default to Amazon to order a book in the middle of a conversation, my hope and belief lie here: We're different. We are as different from that A store as fast food is from the best farm-to-table restaurant. Grokking that deeply leads to radically different thinking about what we do in our bookstores and how we do it. Listen now!

Tweak #082: The Shelves in the Middle - Part III

We're wrapping up the three-part series on shelving standards with a look in the middle of the floor, where we may see a lot of white paper edges from face-up books. We can do better. Waist high still counts, and so do all the visuals. 

Listen now to continue the Shelving Standards exploration!

Tweak #081: Shelves With Higher Standards - Part II

In part II of this "Shelving Standards" mini-series, let's explore what stops your customers from going all the way. What inspires the most casual browser to stop about one-third of the way in and leave? And how can standards help with that? We're looking particularly at floor fixtures and a tiered display in this episode, with three keys to success. Click now to continue the Shelving Standards exploration!