Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(November 29, 2015 - December 5, 2015)
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As I See it...

In 2014 we made the decision to upgrade our POS system from the system we had used for over 20 years.

I knew how the system worked and felt very comfortable in helping others who used the same system when problems would arise.

I did training seminars for many years, teaching our members how the system could help their stores perform better and  how as managers they could get the information out of the system to make proper buying and selling decisions.

After many months of analyzing multiple POS systems in 2015 we finally settled on a system we thought would be the best for us now and in the long term.

We had the system installed the end of October at one of our stores and then the other two stores the first week of November.

I would like to share some of my thoughts about the whole process so if and when you make a change this may help your transition go smoothly:
  • Do your homework and research. Talk to as many retailers as possible to get opinions on their system pros and cons. Remember they are opinions so take it all with a grain of salt.
  • Demo multiple systems to see how they operate. Visit stores that have systems you're interested in to see how they work in a live environment.
  • Don't make a rash decision. Take your time.  It will pay off in the long run.
  • Find a system you and your staff feel comfortable with. This should also include the relationship with the vendor and if you feel you are being treated fairly and properly.
  • Is the vendor local or out of state? What type of service can they and do they supply?
  • Remember, in today's world, most vendors will remote into your system to trouble shoot. Not many will make a house call like they use to do.
  • Give yourself enough time to get acclimated to the system before your busy time hits, whether it's the holidays or the summer time.
  • Don't pick a system based on the fact so many others are using the same system. Pick a system based on your homework and research.
  • If it is all just too overwhelming, ask any of our board members for help as we all have gone through some sort of conversion over the past 5 years or so.
  • Make sure you involve all of your city departments that may play some sort of part in switching to a new system.
  • Be flexible and adaptable. You will have issues no matter what. So deal with it and fix them.  Don't blame the vendor all the time.
  • Once you have a new system, learn as much as possible and ask questions. It takes time to understand how a new system works. Just dive in and take the lead.  Your staff will appreciate it in the long run.
  • Don't take it personally, but some or all of your staff will hate you for making this change. They will get over it and if they don't,  you know what you need to do.
  • Remember the golden rule- THERE IS NO PERFECT SYSTEM. It is only as good as what you make of it.
Okay I can say it now- boy do I miss our old system!!
 
Now that I have that off my chest I should clarify.

I miss my old system because I knew it so well I could do it in my sleep, just as my staff could.

I am happy and glad we made the switch to s new company, because we made the decision for the right reasons.

The staff and I have learned so much in a short period of time.

I know we made the best choice for our operation based on what I know now.

I hope in a short time that I will be able to share what I have learned on the new system with others who also use it, or with others that are thinking of switching.

Please, if you will be looking at a new POS system in 2016 contact me or others on the board, we are here to help.

I wish all my fellow managers a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Steve Grausam
Edina
Did You Know?

When comparing monthly sales data from previous years, it is important to consider the number of Saturdays in the period.

For example, there were four Saturdays in November 2015, but five in November 2014.






Discovering "Minnesota Nice" and Other Revelations About Minnesota Retail
Minnesota Seal

By Tony Fontana, National Retail Federation
 
Retail's impact in Minnesota is impressive: One in five jobs in the state are supported by the industry that contributes more than $46 billion to the economy every year.

I knew all those stats heading into my Retail Across America road trip, but I was skeptical of the notion that everyone was "Minnesota Nice."

It sounded good in theory.

But in reality?

It would take a week visiting with retailers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Red Wing to find out how true this was - and it was just one of many things I learned during my first visit to the state.

Click Here to Read the Article
MMBA / Coors Light Food Drive Generates 94 Tons of Food!!!  
Food Drive Display
The recent MMBA / Coors Light Food Drive generated the equivalent of 94 tons of food for local member food shelves!!!
 
Congratulations to everyone who participated!! 

Your contributions, large and small, are helping an important need in all of our communities.
 
The overall winners of this year's contest are:
 
Miltona (Under $1 million in annual sales) & Lakeville Galaxie (Over $1 million in annual sales)!!!

Miltona collected the most of all participants with 47,291 pounds, which included over $13,000 in cash.

Miltona has a population of 424. 
 
The food shelves in these communities will be receiving a $1,000 donation courtesy of MillerCoors and MMBA.
 
  
Spring Lake Park
Isanti
Granite Falls
Darwin
Edina
Longville
Rogers
Ogilvie
Nisswa
Brooklyn Center
Minnesota SMART on Twitter

The Minnesota SMART campaign now has a Twitter account!

It's @MnSMARTcampaign
(https://twitter.com/MnSMARTcampaign).

More on the campaign can be found in the right hand column of this newsletter.



The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas.


It is to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel they are valued.



Future Dates to Remember
2016 MMBA Annual Conference

April 16 - 19, 2016
Arrowwood Resort
Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Bill Ludwig
Paynesville
320-250-3325
  
Candice Woods
Hutchinson 
320-587-2762
  
John Jacobi
Isanti
763-444-5063

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-549-3710
Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville 
952-985-4901
 
Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113

 Karissa Kurth
Buffalo Lake
320-833-2321
 
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925
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Minnesota SMART

The SMART campaign: Supporting Minnesota's Alcohol Regulations and Traditions, is a renewed public education and grassroots advocacy effort in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations and three-tier system.

 

We believe Minnesota's current alcohol regulations are smart, balanced, and supported by many citizens and our local small businesses.    

    

They work well for Minnesota!

 

The SMART campaign functions to help you engage in advocacy efforts with state legislators and others in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations, and to oppose issues-such as Sunday alcohol sales.

We want to make it easy and effective for you to engage.

 

Take action and send an email to your state legislators today through the new SMART campaign website.   

 

We have sample letters and legislator contact information put together that is ready to go.   

 

  Click Here for the Website
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Beverage Alcohol Training

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 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
320-766-3871
 


Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

The Courage to Tell a Hidden Story
Eman Mohammed is one of the few female photojournalists in the Gaza Strip.

Though openly shunned by many of her male colleagues, she is given unprecedented access to areas denied to men.

In this short, visual talk, the TED Fellow critiques gender norms in her community by bringing light to hidden stories.

 Click Here 
Purpose of the Dog
A Sunday School helper was delivering a car  full of kids home when a fire truck zoomed past.

Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog.

The children began discussing the dog's duties.
      
      "They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.
      
      "No," said another, "he's just for good luck."
      
      A third child brought the argument to a close.

"They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."

 
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Contact Ste. Michelle Wine Estates


Contact Shamrock Group

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Contact the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
MillerCoors

Contact MillerCoors


Contact Beam Suntory

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