PMC WINTER SHOW 2012 FREE SEMINARS
(All held in 2nd Floor Learning Forum)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
9:00 – 10:00AM
Presented by Christine Hanna, Director of Seattle Good Business Network
Real Prosperity Starts Here: Getting Your Customers to "Think Local"
A strong culture of buying and sourcing from local independent businesses is critical to thriving regional economy, community and environment. But how do you spread the word about why "local matters," and get people to really shift their buying habits in favor of local independents? Come hear about fresh, innovative approaches that are having an impact in Seattle and throughout the Northwest, plus share your own ideas and experiences in getting your customers to "think local." Christine is an entrepreneur, non-profit manager, and experienced marketer. After receiving her MBA from the University of Washington in 1996, she spent six years working with online marketing companies, including goNextdoor, a marketing services company she co-founded. With a mission of "delivering loyal relationships to local businesses," goNextdoor helped dozens of Seattle-area restaurants, shops, and personal services grow their business through its innovative marketing programs.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
9:00 – 10:00AM
Presented by “A” Liengboonlertchai; Award-winning Owner of Simplicity Décor
Retail Anatomy : “The Check Up”
Do you know if your retail business healthy? When was the last time you really gave it a “check up?” Do you know what the most important thing that will determine the success or failure of your business? Hint, This is NOT just about your sales numbers at the end of the year.
Using the physical check up as the metaphor, “A” will guide you through ways to check the health of your business, and remind you of what can make or break your retail sales in a fun and causal way. Come and learn the keys to having a successful retail business, including proven marketing ideas to boost your sales.
Suraphong “A” Liengboonlertchai; the entrepreneur, interior designer and owner of Simplicity Décor grew up in the retail environment. He studied and practiced law, yet he always had a passion for retail and interior design. In 2006, He opened Simplicity Décor in beautiful downtown Kirkland, WA where “East Meets West Meets Simple.” With his sincere, effervescent personality, passion for superb customer service, great eye for design, and his commitment to giving back to the community, A and Simplicity Décor soon began to attract a loyal clientele, as well as the attention of local and national press and business associations. Simplicity Décor has earned numerous recognitions and awards, including the “50 Retail Stars” award from Home Accent Today magazine, “Best of” 425’s magazine, the “Talk of the Town” award and many more.
A is recognized as a smart, passionate and charismatic businessman who is full of great business ideas. He loves to give and share anything he has in life with others.
Friday, January 13, 2012
9:00- 10:00AM
Presented by Leatrice Eiseman, Color Consultant, Forecaster and Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute and Eiseman Center of Color Information and Training
Color Directions: Twists. Turns and Trends
The road map to color for 2012 is filled with interesting new directions. Some paths lead to exhilarating tones that encourage the prospective buyer to forge ahead into adventures with novel color combinations, while others invite them to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, relax and consider the more classic hues in a different kind of “mix”. The continuing challenge and goal will be in keeping the consumer visually engaged by blending the playful with the practical. To reach that destination, color is the compass.
Leatrice Eiseman is executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, located on Bainbridge island, WA. She is the author of eight books on color, the latest being: “Color: Messages & Meanings, a Pantone Color Resource” and the “Pantone History of Color in the 20th Century’ Her blog on color: www.eisemancolorblog.com is widely followed by people from a variety of fields.
She also teaches color courses in California and Washington state for people who deal with color in retail, marketing, interiors and product development.
In addition, Lee develops a color forecast for business, the Pantone View Home, on a yearly basis and contributes to the international Pantone View Color Planner twice yearly. Also twice a year she does the top ten colors for Woman’s Wear Daily, the “bible” of the fashion industry. She is widely quoted by the media and has made numerous TV appearances.
Friday, January 13, 2012
3:00 - 4:00PM
Presented by Jan M. McLaughlin, CSP, Communications and Image Expert
Having an identity crisis? Time to update your image!
Bring your bags, business cards, promotional materials, even a color print out of your website, and you’ll be able to pull it all together in this fast-paced session!
- Get clear about who your customers are
- Make sure you’re sending the right message
- Woo customers into your store with low-cost promotions
- Discover the seven elements to creating a consistent image
- Establish what’s unique about your store
- Learn how to write copy that captures your customers’ interest—be it a mailer, blog post or tweet
- Discover how to lay out a promotional piece that grabs their attention
- Find out just how to use fonts effectively
- Determine the right way to write a press release
Referred to in the Seattle Times as a “pioneer in the image industry,” Jan was the most frequently quoted image professional in the Northwest for twenty years. After working for a major Northwest specialty store, she co-founded—and created the brand for—a successful woman’s boutique and developed newsletters and promotional material for an innovative accessory store.
Known for her delivery style, Jan interjects humor and invites audience participation in programs loaded with practical information. A former teacher, retail executive and actress in television commercials, Jan was a highly-rated trainer with a leading public seminar company. She toured the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and England for five years conducting a seminar on designing eye-catching material that people want to read.
Today, Jan is considered an expert in communication—spoken, written and visual. She established the firm Your Communication Connection—focused on helping people discover how to positively influence the responses they receive. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation—the speaking profession’s international measure of speaking experience and skill. Fewer than 10% of the 5,200 members of the Global Federation of Speakers earn this designation.
Monday, January 16, 2012
9:00 – 10:00AM
Presented by Branda Na, CEO of Ethicus Group
Search Secrets: How to Drive More Traffic and Sales to Your Website
Learn how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be leveraged in your businesses’ favor and how industry leaders such as Amazon and Expedia use it to drive sales and profitability. Find out how to prevent making mistakes in organic search (listings on search engine results pages that appear because of their relevance to the search terms, as opposed to their being paid advertisements). Discover how to develop an extremely efficient paid online strategy for your website. Specific elements of organic SEO that will be covered include: keyword research (possibly the most critical phase of finding "opportunities" on the Internet), link building to get your website a higher amount of ranking "authority". Pay Per Click basics will also be covered.
Hailing from the Internet's Top Marketing Departments and Strongest Engineering Teams, SEO Consultant & CEO of Ethicus Group, Brandon Na is helping small to medium sized businesses get a step in the right direction on the Internet. Na's past includes working for the Internet's top brands including Amazon, Expedia and Doubleclick, currently a division of Google.com. In addition to his management roles with Seattle Organic SEO and Ethicus Group, he is the Business Development Director for the Seattle SEO Network, the Co-chair of the largest SEO group in Seattle's Biznik, and a Radio host for SEO Radio on the The Owners Group Inc Network (Toginet.com)
Week 2:
Thursday, January 26, 2012
9:00 – 10:00AM
Presented by Pam Hammond, Award-Winning Retailer and Owner of Paddington Station
Tricks of the Trade Show
Pam will walk you through how to get the most from your market experience. Be prepared to laugh, relax and absorb Pam’s thirty years of attending markets across the country. The last fifteen minutes will be opened up for questions and comments from attendees. So bring your best tricks and questions to share with others. Pam would love to have experienced and novice buyers attend, along with sales reps and company owners to get a great discussion going. Prepare to be energized.
Pam lives for retail. She started back in the dark ages as an assistant department manager for a department store chain in Los Angeles, working herself up the corporate ladder to a women’s ready to wear buyer, buying for fifty stores. In 1993, she and her family moved to Ashland Oregon, where they purchased Paddington Station, a 9000 square foot, three story gift shop in the center of downtown Ashland. Pam and her staff take great joy in delighting their customers by offering an eclectic emporium filled with the newest trends and beloved classics.
Friday, January 27, 2012
9:00 – 10:00AM
Presented by Steve Crandall, Managing Director of Promotion Holdings
Building an Online Presence - The Retail Edition
Would you trust a business without a web site? Are your customers and prospects fans, friends or followers? Today, 40% of consumers are interacting with retailers online and through social networking sites according to a recent survey from Deloitte. In this fun, easy to follow, and informative session you’ll learn how an effective online strategy can help you manage, market and differentiate your business. Find out what generates real ROI and what is just a fad. Learn how to build an online presence and use social media in intelligent, creative and cost effective ways to not only attract new customers but create loyal customers.
Friday, January 27, 2012
3:00 - 4:00PM
Presented by Jan M. McLaughlin, CSP, Communications and Image Expert
Keep your customers coming back—again and again!
Of course, it’s important to hire sales associates who are good with people, present the right image and can sell the goods you offer! It’s just as important to train them in the way you would like them to greet customers, answer the phone and follow up. A key to keeping customers is consistency—consistency in the service you offer, attention to detail and interaction with customers. The details include everything from how customers are greeted when they walk in the door or call on the phone; whether or not they receive a thank you note or personal email about something of interest; or if they’re kept current with a timely tweet or blogpost. Train for consistency and keep your customers coming back!
� Discover the keys to creating exceptional customer relations
� Find out what customers really want
� Make customers feel welcome
� Build rapport and trust with customers
� Hold the phone…it’s a customer calling!
� Avoid fighting words that drive customers away
� Stay connected with your customers
� Develop an action plan for your store and sales associates