Security & Sound Systems
Erika Engle reported in her Friday Honolulu Star Bulletin article that Security & Sound Systems is the first Hawaii business to win a national Retailer of the Year award from Mobile Electronics Magazine. President Kent Izuka said that he was among the magazine’s top 12 installers in 2005.

Special Delivery
Some of you may recall this Blog story on Valentine’s Day when I delivered a Retail Selling Made Easy audio book to Kent via limo. When I saw the Star Bulletin story yesterday, I called Kent and congratulated him. Today I went to see his business.

20 Year History
Kent started out as an installer while in high school, getting paid for doing what he loved doing. Seven years later he took over the company. He is still doing what he loves doing, but now he has four employees to help with the installations. When you find something you love to do, you never “work” a day in your life.

$700 Sale
I had the opportunity to listen in as Kent helped this customer get just the right car alarm, and then add on the hood alarm and rear direction camera. The service is as good as his selling skill. He was able to assure her that they would have her car ready for her when she returns from a walk around the block to get some lunch. I witnessed several happy customers while I was in there, and those that know me know that I am not that easily impressed.

Years of Awards
There were almost as many trophies and awards on display as there was merchandise. These awards amount to a testament of good business, good merchandise and good service. They have obviously done a great job over the years and I found Kent to be open to new ideas and desirous of going to an even higher level. There’s no complacency here.

Lots to Sell
Kent stayed busy selling the entire time that I was in the store. The sound systems, cameras, security devices all make for a “candy store” for the auto enthusiast, and we have no shortage of those in Hawaii.
Congratulations Kent, I am looking forward to meeting with you (away from the store) to share more thoughts and ideas for your expanded success.

“Get Off This Plane!”

When I first read about the woman being denied access to a seat on a Southwest Airlines flight, I really wanted to see that outfit. The (male) flight attendant told her that she was dressed too inappropriately to board the flight.

Having now seen this photograph of her in that “skimpy” outfit, my thought was that Southwest had better not even think of trying to operate in Hawaii.

I’m all for employee dress codes and uniforms to be sure that all employees represent the firm in the way it wants, but when it comes to the customer, I think those rights end. I cannot help but think that this was the “personal opinion” of the flight attendant, and not the policy of the airline.

The truly shocking thing was the lack of an apology from Southwest. I have a few Southwest flights scheduled this month in Texas. I hope the service will be better than their judgment and diplomacy.

For a close up look at this outrageous outfit, click on the photo and then click on your back button to return to the blog.

THE MIGHTY MO

Missouri was decommissioned a final time on 31 March 1992, having received a total of eleven battle stars for service in World War II, Korea, and the Persian Gulf. In 1998 she was donated to the Missouri Memorial Association, and is presently a museum ship at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
I went to the Battleship Missouri today and met with Vice President Paul Dyson along with his managers for The Ship’s Store, Victory.

I am proud to announce that they are our newest Morning Report customer and 15 copies of Retail Selling Made Easy are on their way to the ship.

For a closer look at me along side of the ship click on the picture and then click on your back button to return to the blog.

Anything for the Customer

Bob and I stopped at the Le Jardin Smoothie shop at the Hyatt Waikiki to check our e-mail following my presentation to the staff at Seafood Village.

Le Jardin owner Ellen Poon whipped up a great fresh vegetable juice drink. It was delicious. She asked me if I would like to have something to eat, and I told her that I would be going out to dinner soon. She said, “How about a piece of toast (on the house) to hold you over until dinner?” When I said, “Okay”, she asked, “White or whole wheat”. I asked for the whole wheat.

A moment later she returned saying, “We are out of whole wheat”. I told her that I really didn’t really need it, and she said, “Okay, I’ll give you a rain check”.

A few minutes later Ellen appeared with two nice pieces of whole wheat toast, and said, “This bread is about as fresh as you can get”. I was shocked. She actually sent someone running to get some whole wheat bread to fulfill her commitment to me.

Well, guess where I will be grabbing smoothies, juices and sandwiches from now on when I am in Waikiki. Service sells! Stop by and meet Ellen; you will be glad you did.

Click on the photo for full view and then click on your back button to return to the blog.

Best Retailer of the Year 2007

The Hearts on Fire Diamond Company held their 2007 Hearts on Fire University this past week in Las Vegas. At that event they name “Best Regional” and “Best National Retailers” of the year out of a field of 570 stores.

This year Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Indiana won both the Regional Mid-West and Retailer of the Year awards.
Congratulations to owner Dan Moyer, sales manager Kerry Phillips, and the entire staff at Moyer Fine Jewelers.

Success Dynamics is proud to list Moyer Fine Jewelers as a client. As a part of their Morning Report we recognize the sales associates in their store for their sales of Hearts on Fire Diamonds.

We also track Hearts on Fire sales for James and Sons in Chicago. They were named “Best Mid-West Retailer” at the 2006 convention.

Other Success Dynamics clients tracking Hearts on Fire sales are:
The Wedding Ring Shop, Naser Jewelers, Pave Fine Jewelry, Wesche Fine Jewelers, and Southborough Jewelers.

Private Party

I was on hand Friday evening to congratulate Paul Clayton on his new Skin Industries store in the in the Windward Mall. This is Paul’s second store, and our newest Morning Report client.
The “Private Party” was… well “Private”
The store opened to the public on Saturday morning.

Click on the photos to enlarge, and then click on your back button to return to the blog.

Start Fast - Finish Strong!
That’s the key. A strong finish without the fast start can amount to hitting goal at the last minute. That’s better than missing it, but it is better to do as one of my clients preaches, “Kill the Goal”!
To Kill the Goal, a fast start is crucial.
GO!!!

Here’s a good one. In a restaurant recently a wait person asked me if I would like some more coffee. I had about a quarter cup left, and said, “You can warm this up, thank you”. He took my cup to the kitchen, micro-waved the existing coffee and brought it back to me, “warmed up”. Actually it was now too hot to drink.
Be careful what you ask for, it just may be taken literally.