Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(December 19, 2010 - December 25, 2010)
 Click Here
for the
As I See It....
Inventory 

Ok, there are two big weeks left and then the city contracted auditor drops by for many of us. 

 If you are still doing a comprehensive physical count you have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. 

 For those of you who are doing regularly scheduled cycle counts; congratulations you have seen the light!  More than likely there is no year end physical count for you and your staff, no extra expense, and no last minute headaches. 

Many member cities are employing cycle count methods with great success and realizing great savings as well. 

 There are many potential advantages:

          Little or no year end labor costs

          More accurate tracking of variances in inventory

          Easier identification of high theft items

          Deterrent to internal theft

So when you have that extra time on your hands in the second week of January, give a hard look to your inventory practices and maybe you can save yourself some time and money.  If you are hesitant to go this route for whatever reason, consult your auditor or contact one of the MMBA directors and we can lend a hand.  Here is to hoping you have very little to count after the next two weekends.

Happy Holidays!

Brian Hachey, MMBA Secretary- Treasurer

MMBA / Anheuser-Busch PSA on KSTP 
 Television
MMBA and Anheuser-Busch have partnered to produce a holiday Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the holiday season.

This effort promotes responsibility and a positive municipal liquor operation image.

Click Here to View the PSA
Former MMBA Director Mary Ehler Dies
Dove 

Former MMBA director and Spring Grove Liquor manager Mary Ehler, 67, passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, on her father's birthday, at her home surrounded by family and friends, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

 

Our sympathy to her family and friends.

 

Click Here for More Information

10 Ways to Better Your Business
Money 

By Shari Waters, About.com Guide

Retailers all have the same basic path to success. That is, we must increase sales and reduce expenses in order to improve profitability. The goal is the same but how we achieve each milestone may vary.

Take a look at the following ways to better your business:

1. Reduce Shrinkage
 
You may believe employee theft and shoplifting aren't a problem in your business, but simple pricing mistakes can also cost retailers quite a bit. The average shrink percentage in the retail industry is about two percent of sales. Learn to identify and reduce sources of shrink.

2. Increase Sales Opportunities


Whether you're up-selling to a customer or planning an expansion into a multi-channel environment, retailers should learn to notice and take advantage of every possible opportunity to sell.

 
3. Improve Customer Service

One easy way to better your business is to improve customer service. Retailers should develop customer-friendly policies, train employees to provide outstanding customer service, and learn how to create customer loyalty.


4. Add New Products or Product Lines


One way to keep customers returning to your shop is by offering new and exciting products. When adding new products or expanding product lines, keep in mind that not only should there be a demand for the item, but it must also be profitable and something you enjoy selling.



5. Buy From Vendors with Best Value


The vendor who sales an item at the lowest price isn't necessarily the vendor you want to buy from. When selecting a supplier, consider shipping, terms of sale and other factors to determine the vendor with the best value. These small details may erode a retailers bottom line.


6. Increase Marketing


How often have you said you can't afford to advertise right now? Maybe once business picks up you'll place an ad. Or maybe you're holding those advertising dollars until the holiday shopping begins. Either way, you could be losing potential customers right now. Begin tailoring your marketing efforts to your target audience. If you don't spread the word, no one will know you exist.


7. Lower Expenses


To better your business and return more profits to your bottom line, learn where you can cut operating expenses. Look around your shop. Could buying instead of leasing save money? Are you outsourcing something you could easily do?


8. Get Out of the Store


Attend a trade show or other retail expo. These conferences are developed in order to give retail owners, buyers and managers the opportunity to meet existing suppliers, conduct business meetings, network with others in retail and investigate new products.


9. Add One New Time or Money Saving Piece of Technology


Every time we invest in a new piece of technology, we're always amazed at the results and wonder how we lived without it for so long. Find one new money or time saving piece of technology to implement in your store this year. For example, if you are using manual cash registers, consider a POS system.


10. Provide Training for Staff


Once you've determined how to best implement the nine ways to better your business listed above, pass that information on to your staff. Your retail employees are the ones on the front-line every day and should be trained to reduce shrink, improve customer service and increase sales opportunities.

 

Good leaders understand the history of the organization

 

Future Dates to Remember!!
MMBA / MLBA Legislative Day

January 31, 2011
Kelly Inn, St. Paul
 
 
MMBA Boot Camp

February 21-23, 2011
Breezy Point Resort

Click Here for Details
 
MMBA Scholarship Deadline
 
May 1, 2011
 
 
MMBA Annual
Conference

May 22-24, 2011
Arrowwood Resort

Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Bob Leslie
 Pelican Rapids
218-863-6670

Brian Hachey
Stacy
651-462-2727

Nancy Drumsta
Delano
763-972-0578

Lara Smetana
Pine City
320-629-2020

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Virgene Shellenbarger
Hutchinson
 320-587-2762

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-381-2349

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035

Michelle Olson
Sebeka
218-837-9745
E-Mail Me

Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113

Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925

 
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Wine 101
Wine2
Two Guys Walk Into a Bar...
Lunch
Two guys walk into a bar and sit down to eat their lunch.

The bartenders says, "Sorry, but you can't eat you own food in here."

So they look at each other, shrug, and swap lunches.