mu·sic /ˈmyo͞ozik/ noun
Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
Music can change the environment in our stores (and at the conference).
It can also affect how customers feel about their shopping experience.
In traveling to many of our MMBA member stores I've experienced several genres of music for seasonal effects; the traditional Christmas tunes, Cinco D mayo, St Patrick's Day.
One day I stopped into a newly built store with a new manager and he said "I can't believe the previous manager enjoyed the silence, it's almost a deafening."
A former employee at my store preferred silence and no music in our store and never turned music on when she opened.
When other employees arrived we would walk in and first thing we would do turn on the tunes.
There are several sayings and thoughts regarding music:
Dance like nobody's watching. Sing like nobody is listening.
Live Music is better. Neil Young
A reflection back to our spring conference in Alexandria:
Sunday evening was incredible. For those who were unable to make it this year our entertainment was Dueling Pianos.
We were not forced to tap our toes, hum, sing along, conga or even do part of the chicken dance.
But WE DID!
The music that night allowed us to escape temporarily from our jobs, the sales reps, advertising ideas, in-store promotions, staffing issues, and on and on......... for some it may have been time to just let go and live in the moment.
