Retail loyalty’s big leap

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

My former DMNews colleague, Nathan Golia, wrote a great piece about the growth of retail loyalty programs in a past issue — which I must say, if I can toot…

Are You Driving Your Customers Away?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

One of my favorite vendors... ...is pushing me away. I’ve had my cellphone with the same provider for close to six years.  Yes, I was late in adopting the…

The Art of Waiting

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

When Apple Computer announced the Apple Store, more than one industry pundit predicted the project’s demise. "Apple is a technology company," they said. "They…

Does Starbucks’ new free Wi-Fi offer really raise the loyalty bar?

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

No one who loves Starbucks doesn’t love the fact that they’re now offering free Wi-Fi in its over 6500 locations, right?  My question is: How much will this…

The Mayor of Starbucks, or just your average coffee addict

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

Drink a lot of Starbucks? Now you can become the “Mayor” of Starbucks in your town, thanks to the popular Foursquare application — and as a loyal customer…

Curves: Lessons in Creating a Community

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

One summer, not too long ago, I joined a 2nd gym as I was out of town most weekends.  A charming low-frills outpost of Curves. 

June Quote

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Behind every great customer experience is a great employee experience.

Fuel perks plus retail equals savvy loyalty play

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

With an economy that is recovering slowly and still keeping millions of Americans unemployed and in a recession-based, purse-strings-tightening mode, it’s…

The War for Market Share

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

...watch the Verizon and AT&T ads. For years Verizon has been hammering AT&T with its coverage map, almost with impunity.  Finally, AT&T is…

Premium Prices: How High Can You Go?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Privacy Is Dead... And It Could Be Great

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Facebook recent announcement about its intentions to collect and store personal data has privacy advocates up in arms.  But could the move actually vastly…

The difference between customer experience and customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

"Customer experience" remains a nebulous term for many people, akin to when Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart admitted that he couldn't define what made…

Let's Call Customer Service Counters What They Are: Damage Control

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Customer service to me happens prior to the sale. Damage control is what happens after. Frequently it is run by people dis-empowered to do anything but cut…

Do You Know What You're Selling?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Are you sure? Are you really, really sure? Here’s a test.  Can you tell me what these well-known businesses are selling? Mercedes Benz? JCPenney, Macy’s and…

Pricing: Are You Confusing the Market?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Best Retail in Romania...Hard Rock?

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Great brands don't just deliver a great experience. They deliver a great experience everywhere!

Working Harder, Making Less

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

If I told you to: Expand into new markets to stimulate growth. Dramatically increase your investments in inventory and facilities. Accept 15% to 20% lower…

10 Reasons Your Retail Competitors Have More Business Than You

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

If I hear one thing over and over from small business owners its, "I just need more customers." Heard it before 9/11, heard it after, heard it during the…

Building a Better Bank

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

In the realm of retail shopping, Reluctant Shoppers* are defined by their ability to “put off” shopping as long as possible.  The actual problem might never…

Mirror Images

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.