Sat, 01 Feb 2025 05:44:34 -0800WeeblyTue, 20 Dec 2016 02:44:04 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-running-related-blog-posts-i-like-to-write-but-not-sure-how-to-do-it-without-making-enemies1. Do the ends justify the means in the Olympics
2. Why obstacle course racing is not that tough, running a 8k cross-country race is way tougher and that is why nobody likes to do it
3. I hate fad diets
4. Direct marketing of brands
to consumers works because humans are suckers
5. Why USA should stop sending cheating sprinters to the Olympics
6. The Internet and social media has caused the slowdown in the average finish times at The Boston Marathon
7. Why I will never train for and run the Boston
8. Why hero worship hurts US distance running on the international scene
9. Many running shoe stores are behind the times and should just close before they cause us all agony
10. There's no more innovation in running shoes because running shoe companies are led by managers not entrepreneurs.
]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:43:19 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-sensible-articlesblogs-id-like-to-write1. How do I get faster? Run faster!
2. The Internet will never replace a live coach aka don't coach yourself via Google search
3. Why treadmill gait analysis is a crucial tool
4. 52 Shoes Review (one per week)
5. Favorite runs from the store
6. Favorite runs in other locations
7. Why the calcaneus is the most important bone in the foot
8. Interviews of medical professionals
9. Religious dimensions of distance running
10. Hot trends in running right now

]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:42:30 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-revenue-generating-business-extensions-for-running-shoe-stores1. Road race management
2. Sell team gear to high schools (non-running)
3. Consulting to startup running stores or other startups
3b Have people who are interested in opening a store pay you to work with you and learn your tricks
4. Rent out space after hours to yoga instructors
5. Running city tours and art runs
6. Running self defense lessons
7. Bike storage for bikers/triathletes living in small apartments
8. Personal running buddy for tourists
9. Dog runner (promise to tire them out better than a dog walker)
10. Write "turn-key" training programs to sell to other stores or running groups.
11. Buy closeout product and set-up a clearance pop-up shop using a "food truck" model where the truck is in a different location every day
]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:20:47 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ways-an-iphone-can-improve-your-business1. no more register counter, use phone as pos
2. check inventory and orders on sales floor, no going into backroom
3. video gait analysis anywhere
4. instant pictures of new products
5. use the level function to hang pictures
6. make instant b2b orders
7. record customer feedback
8. track steps of each employee and have contest based on mileage done in store
9. create customer feedback app and have customers fill out immediately
10. use it to write your 10 idea lists
]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:17:54 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ideas-to-find-and-hire-new-staff1. reward current staff referrals with $$
2. advertise in e-newsletters
3. go to nearest big box retailer and hang out in shoe section and see who helps
4. ask your best customers
5. offer customer reward for referring
6. attach postcards to gift certificates given to race participants
7. create an internship for a local high school or college
8. Facebook ad
9. reward to previous employees
10. reward to employees that replace themselves

]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:16:26 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ideas-to-inspire-staff-sales-performance-improvements1. say thank you all the time
2. give out $5 gift cards on the spot when you notice a good sale or deed
3. pay for lunch on busy days
4. have hourly and daily contests
5. give a paid day off a month to a top performer
6. assign non-sales tasks for each staff to own and reward
7. let staff choose sales floor music (within reasonable selection)
8. have theme dress days (Seahawks Sunday, college/HS sweat shirt day)
9. managers/owners doing the dirty work i.e. Clean the toilet once in a while, take out garbage
10. stay late and let staff go home early once in a while
]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:14:16 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ideas-to-promote-your-store-at-roadtrail-races-better1. have a mini BBQ to make pancakes or hot dogs
2. have inflatable chairs and make a lounge
3. have fun bar games like darts to win prizes
4. have a massage therapist in the booth
5. lead warm-up exercises before the race
6. music
7. come up with themes for the booth and have staff wear "costumes"
8. have real running celebrities
9. have a faux celebrity by inventing a personality played by an actor and act like its a big deal
-10. have a big sign that says "hi five booth"
]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 01:36:52 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/december-19th-20161. Park a logo'd vehicle in front of my closest competitor (big box store, don't do to another running store), play loud music and give out coupons all day
2. Put coupons/fliers on windshields in the parking lot of a sporting goods store.
3. Do my distance runs inside a mall wearing logo'd apparel or a shoe costume
4. Replace all the paper beer coasters at a local bar with coasters with my stores name on them
5. Set-up a finish chute and arch on a park path and cheer people who run through it....boo people who avoid it
6. Act like I get hurt while running in a park, then when people try to help tell them that only the people who work at "that great running store in town" can fix it and ask for a ride there.
7. Try to photobomb celebrity pictures wearing logo'd apparel
8. Set up waterstops at races I don't officially sponsor
9. Hire a band to play an impromptu concert in front of the store
10. When I sell products online if someone within 10 miles of the store makes and order I'll personally deliver it instead of using mail and let them know that a real store is only 10 miles away

]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 01:35:16 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ideas-to-appreciate-your-customers1. Say "thank you" and mean it (because, admit it, you think they need to thank you for your expertise)
2. Make it personal, tell them about yourself, be willing to look insecure or foolish
3. Post pictures of customers in social media
4. Put up pictures of customers in the store
5. Give hugs when appropriate
5b.  Give high fives otherwise
6. Set-up a customer advisory panel and ask for feedback (buy them beer and pizza)
7. If you add products based on a customer suggestion send them a thank you note
8. Send handwritten thank you notes to you best customers
9. Have stickers on hand and give to all the kids in the store
10. Admit your mistakes (we've all messed up a special order, just be honest about and fix your mistake)

]]>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 01:33:43 GMThttps://www.stridesports.net/10ideasblog/10-ideas-for-the-running-store-of-the-future1. Pop-up "food truck" stores to bring shoes to customers
2. Nationally recognized fitter certification programs or college degrees in shoe fitting
3. 3D printed products (no inventory/best JIT inventory)
4. Disposable motion capture sensors for gait analysis
5. Drive through window for return customers
6. Gait analysis over Skype or FaceTime and then a file for a custom 3D print shoe emailed
7. Sensors that recognize return customers in the parking lot so that shoes can be pulled out of the backroom before they walk in the door.
8. Stores that go total old school and hand customize everything
9. Smart shelving with sensors that send your buying software info about inventory levels
10. No register counter. All transactions done by handheld devices by staff wherever they are in store
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