Two Minute Tweaks w/ Lisa Uhrik

Tweak #061: Bookselling is a Profession

What we do matters. Let's talk about how and why.

In today's tweak, we're pondering the power in talking about the profession of bookselling with staff and customers. We're framing what we do as a social science/art/business competency set and lingering on nuggets of wisdom from experts. Click to listen now!

Tweak #060: Hiring in a Sansdemic

In this episode we're following up on the art of hiring when flexibility, fun and feeling good is today's currency. Bookshops have a special advantage -- click to listen now as we talk about leveraging that advantage in ways that work for everyone and move the mission forward.

Tweak #59: The Four Questions for Employees Today

We're thinking about staff and volunteers and about the ways that bookstores can be models of a new adult-adult working relationship (shifting from the parent-child expectations of employer/employee in the past). There are four great questions to ask when someone leaves... and it is a good idea to put those questions on the table on the first day as well, setting the expectation for their contributions, their development, and their ability to move forward and stay connected with our book culture work in some way. 

Tweak #58: Do you have your 3 things?

Taking a cue from author Donald Miller, Lisa and Plenty Bookshop store manager Ashley identified three critical actions for booksellers every day... a way of aligning the action and really building cohesive progress. Hear how it's working and what three they chose, while thinking about your own in this 2 minute moment. 

Tweak #57: Wheee — The Ladder Ride

Bookstores are happy spaces. And it's so wonderful when people let their happy really shine. In the face of so much that is tough about life right now, those things that make us giggle are more important than ever.

Tweak #56: Creating Child Caves

We all love spaces that make us feel big -- an important part of creating welcome in our bookshops. With a fresh story that happened yesterday, Lisa revisits the pattern language known as "Child Caves." 

It's a small idea (wink) with big potential for all of us. Click to listen now.

Tweak #55: What They Brought

They brought things. Our customers brought treasures for the store. If you've experienced that, isn't it gorgeous? It doesn't happen anywhere else that I know of in the world of retail which suggests that our world of bookshopping is a rare space -- one that others feel inspired to add to.

Let's explore that a little in today's Two Minute Tweak. Click to listen now.

Tweak #54: Spaces that make us feel big

In this episode, we're exploring the power of child caves -- and thinking about the adult equivalent too. Do you have spaces that make people feel big? Ensconced?

Saving a MONTH of Effort

Sustain: The Final Five S Strategy

This little idea can easily save you a month (or more) every year and I say that with confidence. I've seen it happen a lot.  It's even happened to me, and that's saying something.

We're looking at the last of the Five S strategies -- with a review of the first four in case you missed it -- with the hope of giving you a clearer, more efficient space to do your thing.

Making Time to Make Time: Standardize and Shine

This segment is the follow up to the 5 step organization method (called Five S) started two weeks ago called Sort and Set in Order.  (What can I say -- we teach what we need.)  Today, we're talking about the 3rd and 4th S's with a review of the first two just to keep us all in the loop: standardize and shine.  

 

While some will drum their fingers in delight, others may feel this is less than the most fun of topics.  But it can be fun and meaningful and just plain useful for everyone, even the least organized among us (perhaps me).  Here's how you claim a couple of your hours of life back each day --- which is most necessary if you are going to save the world with books.  

Let There Be Light: A Two Minute Tweak #051

We need easy strategies that improve the browse experience. This short podcast from Lisa Uhrik offers a small challenge you can use to see the shadows and bring things to light -- literally and figuratively. It's a little bit of focus that can yield immediate and profound results. Click to listen now.

 

Saving Time with Sorts & Sets

We all work around things that cost us time and are nagging annoyances in our cash wraps, offices and storage areas. Using Sort & Set In Order -- the first 2 steps of the Five S strategy -- can help us make quick improvements so that we can redeem hours of time each day for the things that matter most --

connecting people and books.

We teach what we need and I really need this right now -- hoping it's helpful to you too!

Warmly,

Lisa

Something More Than Sidelines: A 2 Minute Tweak #049

Words matter and the word we're thinking about today is: sidelines.

Rethinking that word leads to a fresh perspective on all the "other-than-book" things we carry in our stores and, perhaps, how to make it all work a little bit better. 

Cultivate the Art of Browsing

Inspired by Jeff Deutsch's book In Praise of Good Bookstores, Lisa is chewing on an old idea with new depth. Browsing is an art, an experience and one of a bookstore's best offerings. 

What Has You Feeling Stuck?

Taking a look at a challenge with a fresh perspective can turn that obstacle into an opportunity.

Lisa shares a small idea that's had a powerful personal impact in the face of on-going flooding situations, with hope that it provides some helpful inspiration for you.