PROFITgroups, a division of PROFITsystems, has released the agenda for their upcoming Colossal performance group meeting. The theme for the 2010 Colossal meeting will be: “Thinking about Tomorrow Today-Prospering in the New Economy” and will cover topics in all key areas for retail home goods businesses: Financials, Marketing, (including Customer Relationship Management, eMarketing, and Web Strategies), Buying, Inventory Management, Merchandising, Selling, Back-end operations (including Office, Warehouse, Delivery, and Customer service), and the newest Systems Technology.
Featured speakers are Melissa Galt a design business systems specialist with Prosper by Design, and Rick Stark, former CEO of PROFITsystems. Both have vast experience in the speaking arena and are experts in their topics.
Galt’s session entitled “The 5 Keys to Unlocking a Lifetime of Demand with the Design,” is designed to show retailers the essential steps to working effectively with designers to boost their sales and develop lifelong loyalty. Working with the design trade is a unique opportunity to access clients and customers that a retailer may never ordinarily see or benefit from. Phyllis Zaepfel, VP of PROFITgroups spoke of the need to incorporate designers into retail stores, even if they don’t have their own in-house designers. “In the changed economy it isn’t enough to provide beautiful furniture at a reasonable price. People want to create beautiful rooms and have expert help in doing so. Plus, it is a great way for the store to build a larger revenue stream,” stated Zaepfel.
Stark’s presentation will be on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and will include discussions on what SEO really is, should a business include Pay-Per-Click as part of their plan, and how individual businesses of any size can make an internet strategy work. The attendees will learn what other furniture retailers are doing that has been successful, as well as the critical factors for success with their internet presence.
“Generational Transfer” will be presented by David Lively of The Lively Merchant. Lively will cover the transfer of authority, power, and responsibility while holding onto a business’ reputation and relationships. “As a third generation furniture retailer I had personal experience with the different, and sometimes difficult, discussions that need to be addressed. Many of our clients at PROFITsystems are second, third, and even fourth generation in their store. The ability to transfer the business from one generation to the next smoothly can be difficult and I am thrilled that we can offer insight to the process for them,” expressed Shelley Parlin, COO for PROFITsystems.
Other topics include Team Building through Leadership, Sales management techniques, marketing round-table discussions, Financial benchmarking and analysis, and The Road to Recovery.
Mark Krueger, President of Kelly Furniture in Kirksville, MO is a long time member of PROFITgroups stated “I have learned more about operating profitable retail furniture company through Colossal Meetings (and prior to that, “Profit University”) than any other meetings or organizational events I have attended. In addition to the educational aspect of these meetings, the contacts you make, with like-minded business professionals, have become invaluable. If you can only attend one business event this year, this is the one!”
If you are interested in attending contact Phyllis Zaepfel at phyllisz@profitsystems.com or call 800-325-2018 for more details.
PROFITsystems is a leading total solutions provider of the home goods industry. Key components of their retail solutions include enterprise software, consulting, performance groups, advanced education, group-buying freight programs, e-commerce, and human resources. PROFITprofessionals’ features include real-time inventory management, customer relations management, and accounting systems. For additional information on PROFITsystems please visit their website at: www.profitsystems.com.