It shouldn’t surprise you that this famous quote comes from John Maxwell, one of the most respected experts in the field of leadership. If anyone copes with change day in and day out, it’s the business owner. But the irony is that we are the very same people that fight change the most.

Look around your business, have you added any new product lines or services lately? What about new partnerships with vendors or collaborations with other local businesses? Have you attended any new trade shows, participated in a new training program or sponsored a local event?

Most of us think that we are playing it safe in business by sticking with what has been and what has worked. Staying in our comfort zone is what seemingly keeps us protected and is what keeps us in business. But actually, when we work against change, we work against growth. We close the door to new conversations and possible opportunities. It’s like swimming upstream with the same determination as the current against us. You feel like you're working hard and getting things done but in reality you are only staying in place, or worse, drifting backwards.

In the spirit of the changing seasons, I challenge you to pick one area of your business this month where you will consciously stop swimming upstream, turn around and allow the current to take you in a new direction. Call that vendor who has been trying to reach you and find out about their services. Sign up for that trade show that you’ve always wanted to go to but never got around to attending. Sit down and talk with that employee who seems to be full of energy and new ideas.

Get excited about embracing change in your business and I promise you that growth will soon follow.

​Become courageous!
Eliana Barriga
​eliana@retailobserver.com

As you look to the right of this article you will see a list of buying groups and associations that make up the core of the Kitchen and Bath, Home Furnishings and Consumer Electronics industries. The Retail Observer proudly supports these group associations and actively participates in their tradeshows and industry events throughout the year. The ways independents can get ahead in today’s competitive environment through group associations are limitless! Think about it. We started with only 6,000 paper subscribers 12 years ago and now The Retail Observer is delivered to more than 18,000 locations in North America, has more than 6,500 digital subscribers and is available to over 125,000 people in more than 37 countries through social media sites with more than 35k hits to the website monthly.

That’s proof of how leveraging your membership with these associations can increase your exposure and help your business grow. Using all of the member benefits available to you through your buying groups and associations will no doubt have an impact on your business. But the key is to go beyond just being a member. Here are a few ideas on how to supercharge your partnerships!

• Local magazines and newspapers are always asking organizations for expert commentators or guest articles to fill space in their publications. Why not contact your association’s media relations person and let them know that you or someone on your staff is interested in contributing to a monthly feature or providing quotes for their press releases?
• Does your group have an “Ask the Experts” panel discussion at their tradeshow or member meetings where you could publicly share your knowledge as a dealer? Maybe they have a special booth or speaker presentation that your business could sponsor. Even if they don’t, it wouldn’t hurt to lay your ideas on the table. Co-branding with your buying groups and associations on the local level is another great opportunity.
• Minor league ball games and other community events that are well attended and fit your business model could attract customers for you and new members for them. Buying group and association partnerships have allowed us to reach more readers with an informative monthly magazine. They have also been vital catalysts for the success of the independent dealer. We look forward to hearing about the new opportunities you’ve harnessed through your buying groups and associations.

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com