Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

Show Notes

If we want to make real progress, we need to stop setting more goals.

I am thrilled to introduce you to a new way to think of progress with my good friend and fellow coach, Richard Ralston.

Richard has been a coach/mentor for 30+ years and focuses on helping his clients realize their full potential and make true progress on their goals. A champion of community and for communities, he specializes in helping people make progress and has created a methodology called The Progress Pod Accountability Group System where he helps people set up small mastermind groups to help them continue making progress. Within those small groups, they use the Next Tiny Step Method.

We've all felt overwhelmed when it comes to goal setting and reaching our goals. We set goals, and when we don't reach them, we set even more goals. More goals = Overwhelm. So, in order to reduce the overwhelm, Richard created the Next Tiny Step Method where instead of putting the focus on the end result, you start at the tiniest first step at the beginning.

It's really down to two questions. What do you want? And when are you going to do it?

The Next Tiny Step is the process of making one single action. An action that is so small it's immediately doable and you see the progress right away, which in turn motivates you even more and rids you of overwhelm. If life happens to get in the way of your next tiny step - shift it to the next available white space in your calendar. It's that easy!

So grab your pen and paper and take notes - we've got a mindset shift you'll want to use not just in your shop, but in your life! It's time to gain clarity on your goals, take action, and make progress!

"Goals are a direction to go in, not a destination to get to." - Richard Ralston

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/142/

Show Notes

Are you running the store that you dreamed of?We all had a dream when we were that what our shop would be and look like, right? We were meticulous and we carefully curated our shop to create that dream.

But things change and evolve over time. I often see two things happen:

1. Creep sets in - Simply put, things get off track and bad habits are created.
2. We stop dreaming - This is when we stop evolving our business. Whether that's with your shop culture, your staff, front windows, inventory - things need to shift and change.

Here ere are four things to consider and that I share on this episode to help you level up your shop:

1. Shop Standards - Is everything the way you pictured it would be? Does it feel the way you want it to?
2. Your Team - Is your team cohesive? Are they doing the things you want them to? It might be time for some team meetings, performance evaluations, etc. How about your business advisors - do you have the right team around you?
3. You are the CEO - Are you comfortable in this role? Has your CEO role evolved alongside your business? It's time to level up your skills and knowledge!
4. Customer Experience - Is the customer experience actually what you had envisioned it to be? Understand your customer's experience from finding you, to shopping, to buying, to sharing.

It's time to walk through your shop with fresh eyes and put your Dreamer / CEO hat back on!

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/141/

Show Notes

How do we keep up with the ever-evolving retail trends?

Today's Creative Shop Talk episode is all about how to make sure your business stays fresh and exciting as the inventory and customers buying trends change.

Today's episode covers 2 types of trends:

1. Product Trends and how to do the right research for your product lines
2. Buying Trends and what trends are predicted for customer buying patterns

How do we know what to buy? Trends can change based on the time period or where you live. But it's also important to not just go with what's trendy because it's new, but choose inventory that is aligned with your brand.

Know your inventory mix. It's OK to dip your toes into what's trending. But those trendy items shouldn't make up the entire bulk of your inventory (for most shops).

Stay true to your customers needs and wants. But how? Pay attention to what your customers are actually buying. Pay attention to brands, associations, newsletters, magazines, Pinterest/Etsy, and pop culture news. Travel, and go to trade shows or other shops - it's all about the research.

As trends come and go,remember a key focus is on the customer journey, add a fresh new mix to your inventory as the trends are popular, and keep your CEO hat on so you can make the right choices for your brand, your customers, and your values.

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/140/

Show Notes

Welcome to Season 4 of The Creative Shop Talk Podcast!

Where we spend our time and attention it can be overwhelming.

As we have been welcoming new members into my Retailer's Inner Circle and Mastermind groups, we've been discussing different ways of running our businesses. Focusing on getting creative, innovative, and really putting new eyes on how we run things.

In 2023 seeing a small shop explosion, shopping local has new eyes and attention. Retailers are really working to pay attention to the needs of their customers. I'm breaking it all down and sharing with you six things that we should be focusing on to help shift our energy into a positive focus for 2023.

1. We are in the hospitality business - Remind yourself of this. Although money matters, it's all about the connection with people. Bring humanity to your business and focus on the experience and how you're making your customers feel.
2. Build a positive marketing strategy - You need marketing that connects with your buyers to turn them into allies and believers. It also needs to align with your brand.
3. Systems - This is the time to be stable and organized with your standard operating procedures. Ask yourself, "what would make this easier?"
4. Shop culture norms - Focus on HOW you do things. Your team, your mission, your values and shop standards - make sure they are all working for you and your team. Be the leader and be present for your team as well.
5. Profits - Make sure your numbers are under control. Pay attention to your margins, your expenses, as well as your products and inventory. Make sure you are paying yourself and your team. Be lean, but excellent.
6. Frictionless buying - Our customers and clients want ease. Make shopping with you easy , think about the way you serve, the hours you are open, the way people pay, and your policies etc.

2023 is the year to keep your CEO hat on tight and pay attention to all the details!

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/139/

Resources to help you this week:

Business and Planning Guide - a free guide to help you plan your next steps Retail Made Simple - my signature course with special BONUSES

Level Up MastermindPlan your best year series - Encore presentation, 4-part podcast series

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 115 - How To Tame All of Those Great Ideas

Episode 100 - Why It's Important to Celebrate Your Business MilestonesEpisode 94 - Where to Spend Your Time and Focus Within Your Business

For more support from Wendy

Retail Made Simple - the on-demand course for independent shop owners in the messy middle of business

One on One Consulting

https://www.instagram.com/wendybatten.biz/

More ways to get support from Wendy

Resources to help you this week:

Business and Planning Guide - a free guide to help you plan your next steps Retail Made Simple - my signature course with special BONUSES

Level Up MastermindPlan your best year series - Encore presentation, 4-part podcast series

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 115 - How To Tame All of Those Great Ideas

Episode 100 - Why It's Important to Celebrate Your Business MilestonesEpisode 94 - Where to Spend Your Time and Focus Within Your Business

For more support from Wendy

Retail Made Simple - the on-demand course for independent shop owners in the messy middle of business

One on One Consulting

https://www.instagram.com/wendybatten.biz/

More ways to get support from Wendy

Show Notes

It's our final episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast for 2022!

At the beginning of my mastermind group sessions, members share quick wins, insights, lessons and struggles. It really makes us take the time to acknowledge what's truly going on in our businesses.

Wins - what are you currently celebrating?

Insights - what have you observed lately?

Lessons - what have you learned?

Struggles - what areas within your business need the most help?

So, in today's episode of Creative Shop Talk, I'm getting personal and sharing my wins, insights, lessons, and struggles:Wins -

1. I'm excited to say that I've gone back into coaching with my coaches. I invested heavily in hiring coaching with real determination of what I want.
2. All of your wins are my wins as well. Hearing from so many of you this past year and all of the success you've had is a big win for me as well as working with all of my amazing retailer clients.
3. The Creative Shop Talk Podcast downloads are going up substantially every week.
4. I got out of my comfort zone and attended a conference for Canadian exporters.
5. My husband and I bought an RV and took a month-long trip to Newfoundland, Canada.
6. I have been very attentive to my health.
7. I faced another fear and invited Jo Packham be a guest on the podcast which in turn, provided many other opportunities to work with Jo. In 2023, I will be writing a business column inside her magazine, What Women Create.
8. Lastly, I have a crystal clear vision and plan for 2023.

Insights -

1. We don't have to be cookie cutter. We all need business foundations, but how we create those systems and foundations is going to be different than anyone else. There are many ways to run your business.
2. We need to be intentional about who we surround ourselves with. Be super selective and find your true allies.
3. Don't play small. There's zero growth in our comfort zone.

Lessons -

1. Investing in coaching, teams, business growth, and myself has been huge for me and I see it huge for others as well this past year.
2. Raise the bar when it comes to things like tech skills, and what I can do.
3. I am more comfortable with moving to the next level.
4. I need to remind myself that I am capable and a strong decision maker.
5. My wildly most important goals - I have my 3 big focus goals set.

Struggles over the past year

1. I have too many ideas. I need to corral all of my ideas and make strong decisions on what I can execute.
2. Imposter Syndrome. It was in my head this year that everyone else had it together and was bigger and better. I need to remind myself that I am not for everybody and that's ok.
3. Impatience. I am impatient with my website updates, learning, making my team really cohesive, etc.

I am so excited for what's coming in retail in 2023 - my clients, the podcast, and the ripple effect it all creates!

My Retail Made Simple course is OPEN and if you decide to purchase through December, you'll get an amazing BONUS offer. A personal shop audit from me!Jump in and say YES to a successful 2023!

Full show notes https://wendybatten.com/138-2/

Show Notes

Cheers to another coffee break, friends!I've had this particular phrase in my head for a little while now…

The Line of Fine.

Dr. Meghan Walker talks about it a lot on her podcast in conjunction with the healthcare system. For instance, let's say you have sleep problems. You go into the doctor, they give you a few steps to help you sleep … and now you're fine. But what caused the sleep issues in the first place? Isn't that something we should know?

There's no investigation into the why, just the focus on treatment and moving on. I see this in business as well. Why are we not digging deeper and taking a forensic look at the root cause of what the problem is within our business?

We just keep working on "getting more customers" or "more social media"...but the root cause is deeper.

No systems, poor foot traffic, team culture, poor inventory management…whatever may be going wrong, ask yourself these questions:

What is the root cause? How did we get here? What do we need to do? What do we have to learn? Who can help us through this? The line of fine is not fine. Don't settle for fine in your life or business.You need to be more than fine so you can thrive!

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/137-2/

Show Notes

Ready for another coffee break, friends? I sure am!

My husband John and I have been self employed for 27 years now. For the last few years, we've been intentional about doing an annual weekend excursion to plan goals and intentions for our life and businesses. I was asked to share what we do in these goal planning sessions when I shared this with my Inner Circle group.

I share a lot about paying attention to your revenue buckets, how we're making money, but today I'm focusing on the life buckets.

During our annual planning sessions, we bring some "pre work" questions about what we're thinking, how we're feeling, etc. We also individually look back over the highlights from the past year. The good and the bad. It's a lot of fun, and so good to take the time to reflect.

We then look at our Wheel of Life and figure out what life buckets are important to us. Health, environment, hobbies, etc. We also look at our Thrive List. What do we need to thrive? Then we can focus on our business goals because we looked at our life buckets first. Designing a business to fit around our life.

When annual planning, don't just focus on the 20-30% revenue increase you'd like to see in your business. Your life buckets have to be part of the equation.

Full show note here https://wendybatten.com/136/

Show Notes

Let's have a quick coffee break together.

It's Game on!'Tis the season to be all about the customer. They need your service, they want and need your products, and they need your expertise.

At this stage of the game, it's not about attracting new customers and putting marketing strategies in place. It's all about nurturing the people you already know, love and trust. Remind them that you exist and that you can help them. Focus on your nurture marketing.

Here are two things you can do that will help you and your customers this holiday season:

Humanize Your Business via Social Media - Stop. Showing. Products. Instead, focus on videos showing your shop, your wonderful staff, and your holiday favorites. Be genuine. Be real. Don't focus on perfection.

Contact Your Email List - Whether you have 20, 2,000, or 20,000 people on your email list, send them updates and info throughout the holiday season that are intentional, nurturing and helpful.

To make your holiday email sending a bit easier, I've created six done-for-you email templates that you can copy, paste and schedule now. Grab them here while they are available.

Let's help our customers through the homestretch!

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/135/