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From the Director
"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." ~Anthony J. D'Angelo
A special note goes out to all of our franchisees, their employees, and their families affected by the recent and ongoing storm affecting much of the Atlantic Coast, North East, and states inland. Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out for all of you to be safe. If there is anything that we can do on our end, please don't hesitate to contact me, your FOM, or anyone at Winmark.
82 Days until Conference!
 If you haven't fully committed to attending yet, make your plans now! Below is an interesting statistic that may encourage you to go. This chart shows the average sales volume for 2011 of stores that attended vs. stores that did not. CONSISTENTLY, we see that the stores that commit to attending conference every year are the higher sales volume stores. These franchisees understand the power of knowledge that they gain on new programs being rolled out, what the key objectives & focus is for the brand for the upcoming year, but also the networking they get with their fellow franchisees. Dedicate a few days at the beginning of the year to make a plan on how to achieve your sales goal for the entire year.  Annual conference will be held January 21 - 24, 2013 in
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Category Analysis Planning (CAP) for September 2012
 The above information was taken from the All Combined CAP rollup. Note that the # of stores column is the total number of stores that have 13 months of rolling Key Indicator & Month close information. If an FOM is missing one month of data, it will kick out that store. Check out the regional results on the Extranet. Click on your region to see how well it's been doing! All reports are also housed on the Extranet under Sales Performance> 2012 OUAC Performance> CAP Rollups.
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
All Regions |
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Numbers
The following results are now posted on the Extranet under Sales Performance > 2012 Sales Performance Results.
Click here to see all results.
Click here to see what region your store is in.
Top 5 YTD Results:
1. 20344 Minney $1,750,165
2. 20110 Burtner $1,388,170
3. 20032 Tevlin $1,259,480
4. 20650 Simpson $1,242,387
5. 20620 Kinrade-Palin $1,220,104
Top 5 YTD % Increase:
1. 20803 Gutierrez 64.7%
2. 20801 Kruger 60.3%
3. 20809 Morehouse 58.8%
4. 20386 Suntken 53.3%
5. 20735 Joseph 50.5%
Candian Top 5 YTD:
1. 20675 Henderson $1,038,393
2. 20256 Wright $947,358
3. 20213 Wright $926,005
4. 20622 Eccles $901,394
5. 20395 Tainsh $861,487 |
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Monthly Operational Reminders
 November
01 - Begin using red colored attachers (or your next color)
Begin redeeming bounce back coupons
04 - Daylight Savings Time ends
11 - Veteran's Day
11 - Remembrance Day (Canada)
20 - National Child's Day (Canada)
22 - Thanksgiving Day
23 - Black Friday
23 - Begin Promoting your Clearance Blowout for Dec. 8
24 - Small Business Saturday
25 - Begin marking down product for clearance event
December
08 - Host the Clearance Blowout Event
09 - Hanukkah begins
24 - Christmas Eve
25 - Christmas Day
26 - Boxing Day (Canada), Kwanzaa begins
31 - New Year's Eve
January
01 - New Year's Day
03 - Order additional bags for Grab Bag event
04 - Donate Clearance
05 - Markdown remaining clearance to $1. Replace 50% off signs with $1 signs.
Take additional markdowns on remaining Toys, Equipment, and Furniture.
Prices should reflect 50 - 70% off.
15 - Merchandise for Valentine's Day
21 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Annual Conference begins
25 - Prep store for Grab Bag Event
26 - Host Grab Bag Event
28 - Begin pulling and adjusting remaining clearance for donation.
30 - Plan S/S floor transition for February - March
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Operations Department  It's finally November - things can finally slow down right? Well...not exactly. What are your plans for Black Friday? More stores each year are holding events giving customers a reason to stop in. Even Canadian stores close to the border that could lose customers to the U.S. might want to have some fun with it. Didn't have much luck last year? Check with your FOM - maybe the event wasn't strong enough. Stores are learning more each year about what works and what doesn't so adjust your plans to meet the demands of your customers.
Next...you have clearance to plan and prep for. Make signing part of the plan to ensure your store shouts the message when the time comes. Give yourself enough time to mark your product and don't forget to do the hard lines and toys! Short changing these categories to a last minute scramble leaves you with aging product going into next season. And finally...are you holding an inventory in the next 60 - 90 days? Well chop chop - There is plenty to do between now and then. The biggest to-do? Store prep. A well organized and orderly sales floor, stock room, and counter area will be the difference between a smooth one and rough one. Do you have tubs of misc. stuff like lost tickets, parts, etc? These need to be cleaned out. Stockrooms should be organized for easy access to all inventory stored there. Old fixtures and obsolete inventory should be discarded. You need to familiarize yourself with the guides, whether you are using RGIS or Data Scan, so reading needs to be done.
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Notice ~ Update to Operations Manual ~ Notice  The OUAC Brand Operations Manual has been updated to include how to handle personal items left in used purchased or in items to be purchased. These can include illegal drugs, weapons, or personal items (cash, jewelry) and instruct the franchisee what to do in such cases.
The OUAC Brand Operations Manual is found on the Extranet at:
Operations/Brand Standards/OUAC Brand Operations Manual. Page 41, "Personal Items left in Used Purchases or Items to be Purchased" has been added. Please ensure you review this new section, and then ensure you team understands what your policy is.
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CPSC Searchable Database Website  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) required the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create a searchable public database of reports of harm (Reports) related to the use of consumer products within the jurisdiction of the CPSC. Congress required that the Database be publicly available, searchable, and accessible through the CPSC's website.
This website is www.saferproducts.gov and can be accessed from the link "search SaferProducts.gov" on the CPSC's homepage. Check out the How to Search video. This is a much improved method of searching for CPSC recalls. A keyword search of Brand + Product Type then narrowing the search to only recalls will bring up links to only the pertinent recall press releases.
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Multiple Store RequestsInterested in opening another store with Winmark? Check out the Multiple Store Request Requirements that are located on the Extranet. If you have any questions, contact your Field Operations Manager.
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Marketing & Advertising
 Stationary
Let us count the many uses for the Once Upon A Child stationary: - Professional and fun letterhead to correspond with contacts
- Customize messaging and insert in your counter mat, including Most Wanted, the return policy and events announcements
- Customize price points and sales information and insert into the acrylic sign holders from DE
This is just 4 ways of the many uses for our stationary. Order a pack today at MHC! Website Renewal
There are still a significant number of websites that need to update their credit card information in the Portal. If you are renewing your site this year, your credit card info needs to be reentered. If billing information isn't updated, you have a 30 day grace period before your website is deactivated. If you have any questions, contact Josh at Treefort or your Marketing Manager.
 'Sell. Buy. Repeat.®' Slogan Now Available as a JPEG
There have been many requests for the photo format of the brand's popular slogan. The slogan is now available to download off the Extranet Image Gallery. Add these to your website, Constant Contact and online listings.
Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Marketing Materials Need flyers, receipt staplers and counter mat inserts to promote the BIG weekend? We have it all on the Extranet in Marketing > Event Marketing. All pieces are customizable and are ready for printing, whether you send to a local printer or use your home printer. Remember to complement all these pieces with a timely Constant Contact email.  Coming Soon! 2013 Operations Calendar We're excited to send you a complimentary copy of the 2013 Operations Calendar. Full of operations and marketing tips, monthly to-do lists and important dates, you should definitely keep a copy in your back room or office! The calendar will be shipped and in your stores by mid-December.  MHC Feature Item: Baseball Caps Now available: baseball caps in Youth and Adult sizes! Put in your order for staff, family and friends. Great for stocking stuffers and event give-aways!  Facebook and Promoted Posts Some of you who have store Facebook pages have mentioned that you are now seeing the number of people who see each of your posts displayed beneath them with an option to "Promote" the post. Promoted posts are a paid service that Facebook has recently begun providing to get your posts in front of more people. However, this can be very costly. Another way to ensure that your posts get in front of the most people is to post engaging, interesting content that encourages interaction from your fans. The more fans who are liking, commenting on and/or sharing your posts, the more people that will see your future posts. Please also be aware that the number of your fans seeing your posts has not changed, Facebook has simply made that information available in an effort to encourage businesses to use their Promoted Posts option. As always, Facebook Ads are also a great way to reach your customers on Facebook. These are a separate service from Promoted Posts. If you have any questions about Promoted Posts or Social Media, contact your FOM or Marketing.
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What's your Email Marketing Schedule?
Tip: Stay top of mind and relevant! Remember you have plenty of templates that you can reuse to promote your store-specific specials and events. Here are our recommendations: November Options New - Black Friday New - Toy Stock Up December Options New - Boxing Day (Canada) New - Toy (sell message) Reuse Blizzard of Savings Have other campaign ideas? Let us know!
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Recap of The ABC Kids Expo 2012
 The 10th edition of the ABC Kids Expo was held in Louisville, KY October 14 - 17, 2012. With 1.0 million square feet of exhibit space taken up by more than 800 exhibitors in over 3,000 booths it's a bit overwhelming. Much of the products on display are either too upscale or in categories not purchased by Once Upon A Child.
The Product Steering Committee - Diana Maunsell, Kara Tomashek, and David Reising along with corporate buyer Barbara Treas and Director of Buying Operations Todd Treml worked the show on behalf of the Once Upon A Child system. We had meetings with our key CORE vendors, touched base with many others we are in business with and connected with additional vendors for potential business partnerships with Once Upon A Child.
We met with all the key gear vendors including most of our CORE vendors. Our focus as we shopped the show was finding vendors with impulse products to compliment the growing trend in our add-on and accessory business.
The committee will sort through all the data and details from the show to put together the Once Upon A Child New Product Buying Guide and Trade Show for 2013.
See the complete show recap to read product trends and safety news from show.
The ABC Kids Expo returns to Las Vegas in 2013.
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New Store Openings!
 Congratulations goes out to Lori and William Forrest who opened their first Once Upon A Child location in North Oklahoma City, OK. They opened on October 4th, with a knock it out of the ballpark day with over $23,000 dollars in sales. Please wish the new team in N. OKC well at lforrest1@cox.net.
 Sending warm wishes and congratulations to Suzanne and Artie Mogavero who opened their first Once Upon A Child location in Jensen Beach, FL. They opened on October 25th and had Grand Opening day sales of $15,764.19! Way to go team and please wish them well at ouac.jensenbeach@gmail.com.
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New Clearance Bins available through Designed Environments
 New clearance bins are available through Designed Environments. The bin is exactly the same size (dimensions) and weight as the current standard blue shoe bin and costs $17.55. They can be ordered now, but will be in stock by the middle of November for shipment. If anyone has any questions or to place an order, call 800-342-0852.
For complementary signage, order the clearance shoe sign from MHC.
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HR News: Tagging Gun Safety
 Tagging gun safety can be an important consideration in the retail business. There are currently jurisdictions that have created laws and standards relating to the use of tagging guns. For example, California has a blood borne pathogen standard specific to tagging gun use. Because of this fact and based on experiences shared by franchise owners, we recently added template guidelines to both the Operations Manuals and Template Employee Handbooks.
Tagging guns used to attach price and information tags on clothing and other goods in retail establishments can potentially pose a blood-borne pathogen hazard to workers. Franchise owners and their employees need to understand the risks of using tagging guns and precautions in safety to avoid potential exposure.
Our sample policy in the Template Handbooks and guidelines in the Operations Manuals include the following:
- Assign each employee their own tagging gun.
- Educate yourself and new employees in the safe use of tagging guns and about the risks of sharing tagging guns.
- Always ensure the needle guards are in place when a tagging gun is being carried or not in use.
- Disinfect tagging guns regularly and dispose of needles safely.
- Place the garment on a clean, hard work surface to tag it. If at all possible, wear gloves when using a tagging gun.
- Train your employees to immediately report any injuries.
As guidelines can vary from state to state and province to province, consult an employment law attorney in your region to determine the appropriateness of these practices for your business.
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WBS Online: Yelp cracking down on fake reviews
 The majority of small business owners are well aware of online customer reviews websites such as Yelp. Owners also know how these reviews can make or break their business in some sense, as millions of people check reviews before they visit an establishment. Many small business tips emphasize the importance of getting good reviews from their customers to build a bigger business, but it is not advisable to create false reviews to do so.
Yelp recently announced it will be cracking down on fake reviews, because they can easily mislead a person to go to a restaurant, gym or retailer.
Read more.
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Leadership Moment - What does accountability mean to you?
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The word "accountability" has taken on negative connotations. "They need to be accountable!" is the same as saying, "They are going to be in trouble." It's time to rethink what true accountability means.
Accountability is "the voluntary acceptance of responsibility for one's performance." When people demonstrate accountability for their performance it benefits the individual, the team, and the entire organization.
To create an environment where accountability thrives and leads your team to stronger performance, begin by holding yourself accountable for your own performance. No excuses. Model the expectations you would like to see. If you are a team leader, hold yourself accountable for the performance of the team you lead.
When performance expectations are missed, err on the side of using the incident as a teachable moment, not a punishable moment. As a leader, examine your role in the missed expectation and make sure that you did not neglect something that could have increased the likelihood of success.
Your interactions with the team member whose performance fell short should focus on coaching or training their performance back up to standards - making sure that you outline a clear path back to success.
So, redirect energy formerly wasted assigning blame into taking responsibility, coaching, and training. You team's performance will greatly improve.
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Gold Standard
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Congratulations are in order for the following stores who achieved "Gold Standard" for their store:
3rd Year Winners: Jonathon & Kelly Craig - Boardman, OH
Andy & Kim Burtner - Indianapolis, IN
2nd Year Winners:
Sue & Fred Hyde - Pittsburgh and Monroeville, PA
Melanie & Dean Drake - Cambridge, ON
1st Year Winners:
Javier & Benay Lizarazu - Miami, FL
Tiffany & Laurence Carr - Newmarket, ON
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Celebrations!
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Lynell Johnson and her team in College Station, TX have once again claimed top honors for the Best of the Brazos Valley - Best Children's Boutique. This will be number 6 out of 7 years - no small feat. Congrats to the entire crew - your pride is showing!
Jennifer Anderson and Kim Schultz from the Sherwood Park, AB store won this year's Small Business Award from the Chamber of Commerce. Having only been open since July they obviously made quite the impression. Congrats to the whole team that helped make this happen!
Million Dollar Store
Bob Tevlin - August - Florence, KY
Becky Finger - August - Cincinnati, OH (Anderson)
Brian & Shannon Lopoukhine - September 8th - Rochester, NY
April Dutille - September 10th - Lexington, KY
Diana Maunsell - September 25th - Danbury, CT
Cami Scott - September 25th - Enfield, CT
Ben Brinn - September 27th - Lafayette, IN
Tammy Henderson - September 29th - Surfside, SC
Tab & Judy Bradford - September 30th - Wyoming, MI
Tab & Judy Bradford - September 30th - Walker, MI
Becky Finger - September - Cincinnati, OH (Fields Ertel)
Brian Gaer - October 3rd - Wethersfield, CT
Kim Lawler - October 4th - Clarksville, TN
Scott Dyer - October 5th - St. Peters, MO
Andy & Kim Burtner - October 8th - Indianapolis, IN
Julie Anderson - October 11th - Minnetonka, MN
Karen Wright - October 11th - Hamilton, ON
Karen Wright - October 13th - Burlington, ON
Demetri & Monica Vassiliadis - October 13th
Gary & Debbie - October 16th - Fort Myers, FL
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Buyer Certification
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Reno, NV
Kendall Clanton
Alyce Sanders
Megan Bain
Michael Poudrier
Cristal Hipolitio
Rachel Sliker
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Kudos
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Letter #1: I love you, Once Upon a Child. Not only are you clearing my house...you are paying for Christmas. I got 120 bucks just this week for one bin worth of stuff!
Letter #2: Mrs Kimberly Soloman,
You may or may not remember me, but my name is Becky Sacra and I have purchased several items from your store. One day I purchased a barbie hotel and was unable to give it to my daughters because my husband thought it was too big and would break wehn we move. I brought it back late (day 8 or 9) and was unable to return it and instead brought back later to resell it to you. You were so kind. You listened to me and upon the kindness of your heart you gave me a full refund!! In cash!! When I told my husband of your kindness, we were so touched. You showed such amazing customer service. It meant so much to me. My husband and I took some of the money and bought you this gift card as a gesture of thankfulness. So many businesses would not have handled the situation like you did and it was your kindness and compassion. I bought the gift card that week but was unable to bring it to you because of the health of our youngest daughter (she is 3). She contracted c cliff and salmonella poisoning and has been hospitalized twice. She is still hurting and it will take 6 months+ to recover. I am so excited to return to your store and shop and see the renovations that you did. I continue to tell everyone what a great store you have. Thank you for being so thoughtful and kind. May your business be richly blesses!
Love, Matt & Becky Sacra
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Opportunities
I have had this issue before, but since yesterday's occurrence I thought maybe I would let someone know my concerns. When it comes to dropping product off to be looked at there is always quite a line of boxes by the door. The last time I was there of course they are like put it over there, fill this out and it will be about an hour or so. Last time I did and when I went to leave I noticed that no one even looks at the line of stuff by the door. I actually watched an unattended child picking things up out of my box. I then walked over, moved it and put my bags on top of it. I felt very uneasy leaving and coming back as no one kept an eye on the boxes. Yesterday it happened again. I actually wanted to drop and leave but as we took a minute to shop I noticed a man walking in and out carrying the things that had not been taken back out to his car. I literally watched him come in for his 4th trip and grabbed one of my boxes. I told him that was one of my boxes and he put it back down. I'm sure it was an accident as he had quite a few boxes and bags but of course I felt uneasy and stood around the whole hour AGAIN. I really think you need to look at the stores and how incoming product is staged that is awaiting disposition.
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