5 Core Principles to Have in Mind When Organizing Your Retail Store Products

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Retail Store|5 Core Principles to Have in Mind When Organizing Your Retail Store ProductsA successful retail strategy often involves doing a few simple things really well and attention to detail.

If you get the basic principles right it should follow that everything else falls into place much easier and that should ensure that your retail store is ready to attract as many customers as possible.

There are plenty of options to consider when kitting out your retail store, such as buying used Madix shelves as an affordable solution, and if you follow these following core principles it should set you on the right path to potential sales success.

Always focus on the customer

It might be a well-worn phrase, but it always rings true, as the customer is always king and if you don’t arrange your store and select your products with your target customer in mind it is going to be a challenge to enjoy retail success.

It should always be a priority to get to know and understand your customer so that you can give them what you want.

Attention to detail

Another key phrase to keep at the front of your mind when organizing your store is retail is detail.

It is of paramount importance that your business remains consistently focused on every detail of the store so that you respond proactively to customer trends and give them what they are looking for in a convenient format and layout.

Your store needs to be built on solid foundations

Although the face of retail has evolved almost beyond recognition in recent times and shoppers are much savvier and more promiscuous with their purchasing habits there are still some core principles that you need to get right to win their custom as often as possible.

When it comes to retailing, product, price, place, promotion (the four Ps) still hold a great degree of relevancy.

You need to stock products that your customers want and offer a decent product range.

It is imperative that you achieve price consistency across your store.

It is essential that you offer the right place for your customers to make their purchase, which might involve a combination of in-store and online.

Promotional incentives and actively promoting your business are also key ingredients.

Try to benefit from plenty of footfall

Location is always a primary consideration and it is no coincidence that some stores enjoy more success than others simply because their store is in a better spot.

If you are combining an online store with a physical presence you might be able to get away with a secondary location but, if you can, your aim should be to try and locate your store where plenty of potential customers walk past on a daily basis.

Great customer service

Retail can be a crowded space but the companies that go the extra mile for their customers and give great service do tend to enjoy consistent success.

If you treat every customer as the most important person you have seen that day it should translate into a successful interaction that can quickly lead to a sale.

If you focus on these core principles and get your store design right it will put you in the best position to generate as many sales as possible.

10 Key Points to Remember About Die Cutting Processes and Tools

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article | 10 Key Points to Remember About Die Cutting Processes and ToolsBroadly speaking, die cutting is a machine process that allows you the opportunity to create something that has exactly the same shape and dimension every time, although that description doesn’t really do justice to how versatile the process can be.

When it comes to the die cutting tools needed for the job in hand you might want to see products from SBL, for instance, in order to get an idea of what is available and what is possible from a production point of view.

Here are some salient points to note about the die cutting process and the tools you are likely to be using.

Die cutting machines explained

Die cutting machines come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and that is appropriate when you consider that they are being tasked with creating all sorts of bespoke specifications themselves.

The digital age has seen the die cutting machine evolve and a distinct advantage offered by this sort of machinery is that it offers the ability to use a software program in order to browse previous templates and switch easily between them depending on what you want to create.

The die cutting process involves a multitude of cutting options –

Through Cutting

You might see through cutting also referred to as metal-to-metal die or through cutting and what it does is provide the ability to cut through every part of the product in one go.

The need for perforation

Another popular feature you will find on a modern die cutting machine is the option to perforate.

Perforating involves creating a number of punched-in holes that allow you to secure the die cut design in the right place on the chosen stock material.

A key feature is that although the design does not become completely separated from the relevant stock material it can still be detached with ease using the perforated lines.

Working with adhesive lined materials

Another specialist option that is possible with a die cutting machine is to use an option known as kiss cutting.

Kiss cutting allows the operator to cut a custom design through the face and adhesive layer but stopping short of cutting through the backing material layer. The end result is that the die cut design can then be easily removed from the backing layer, which remains intact.

When you need a fold line

It can often be the case that a design you are working on calls for a crease or fold to be applied and the creasing option on your machine should enable you to achieve this aim.

This is different from scoring in that you end up with material that has been reshaped to produce a bending bulge that faces inward between the two parallel stress points you have created.

The creasing process is helpful because it minimizes stress levels on the material when it is subsequently folded.

Leaving a good impression

When you need more than a fold line the answer will be to use a scoring feature.

You may not wish to make a cut that runs all the way through the material you are working on and scoring offers a solution to that requirement. It works by leaving a die impression, or alternatively, an indent or partial cut that is applied at one single chosen stress point.

Different types of die cutting options-

Flatbed for thicker materials

As you would expect from machinery that is designed to be as versatile as possible and offer a solution to many different manufacturing challenges there are several types of die cutting services that you can call upon.

Although commonly referred to as flatbed die cutting you might also see this service referred to as steel rule die cutting, and it is a process that involves using a flatbed die cutting press combined with a customized steel rule so that you can convert a material into the custom shape and design that you want.

You will find that a flatbed die cutting process will often be suggested when you are working with thicker materials.

Converting materials without dies

A digital die cutter offers the distinct advantage of faster production times and low manufacturing costs without compromising on precision or quality.

Using lasers that are guided and controlled by software on your computer the process can deploy blades and various tool bits so that all the necessary creases, cuts, and scores are applied as quickly and efficiently as possible.

When accuracy and precision is a key requisite

There will probably be tasks that you want to complete where a high degree of accuracy and precision is vital to the success of the production process.

Rotary die cutting provides that solution and the fabrication process involves using a cylindrical die that is mounted onto a rotary press to convert a material that could be flexible and delicate.

If you are looking for a die cutting service that delivers a high degree of accuracy that is combined with fine precision, a rotary die will help you achieve that aim and still perform well when tasked with high-volume production runs.

Working with many different materials

The world of manufacturing involves many unique and diverse production challenges and it also requires an ability to be able to work with a great variety of different materials.

The good news is that the die cutting process is perfectly capable of letting you work with all sorts of different materials such as plastic, paper, foam, various fabrics, wood and others besides.

As you would expect, the type of material that you need to work with will be key to the type of die cutting process that you follow in order to achieve the right outcome.

Versatility and customized capabilities aptly describe the die cutting machinery and tools that are at your disposal and it is highly likely that you will be able to find a manufacturing solution to the challenge you have been presented with once your design takes shape.

Many manufacturers would struggle to produce their products with being able to call upon their die cutter.

Improving The Workflow Of Your Factory Operation

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Workflow |Improving The Workflow Of Your Factory OperationOne of the most important aspects of building up your business is understanding the areas of productivity where you need to improve. Workflow is vital, and in the manufacturing industry where there is a focus on the practical aspects of production, the workflow can be a concept open to interpretation. But with this in mind, are there any ways for you to improve manufacturing productivity? Is it all about changing the layout, is it minimizing the processes, or a combination?

Examine The Current Workflow

To solve any problem, we have got to see if there is a problem and admit to it. We need to look at the workflow of our factory, and gauge the current state. Examine individual components such as workbenches, and see if there are individual components that are holding up the entire process. If, for example, workers are too busy fiddling with air fittings, when it can be achieved by automating this process, putting the stops in place to make this a reality can take some time. But when you look at how much effort will be saved, so workers can focus on other tasks, it becomes necessary. The current workflow needs a stringent examination. Only then can you improve.

Acknowledgement Of Your Employees

Collaboration is a difficult process to implement in a factory environment. After all, people are working individually, but when we look at the bigger picture, this can encourage collaboration. But we also have to remember that we need to collaborate with our employees to get their opinions. Ultimately, they are on the floor, not you. They will have better insights than you on developing a more efficient workflow. This could very well be to do with something like the culture, working practices, or it could be something to do with the technology. A lot of workers are reticent of automation because they may feel they are being put out of a job. This is your responsibility to highlight that automation is designed to aid the employee rather than to take over them.

Invest In Preventative Maintenance

If technology is a barrier to increased workflow, is it because the equipment keeps breaking down? Preventative maintenance could very well cause issues in the short-term, but when you look at the impacts of workflow over time, it may be essential to invest in planned maintenance, despite downtime, to ensure that the equipment does its job. We only have to look at how a manufacturing operation can falter when one piece of equipment breaks down. It could very well shut down operations for the entire day.

Improving the workflow can also be done by encouraging accountability, as well as managing expectations. In a factory setting, where people feel like they are pieces of a puzzle rather than a whole unit, employees need to be encouraged to have more accountability so they are taking more responsibility for their work. But this means we have to implement a culture that can encourage people’s ability to speak up when they see inefficient actions. This is easier said than done in an environment that is perpetually noisy.

How To Ensure Your Factory Floor Is Running Smoothly

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Business Operations|How To Ensure Your Factory Floor Is Running SmoothlyWhen you’re running a factory or a warehouse area, you need everything to be like a well-oiled machine – pardon the pun. If everything is flowing correctly, then you’ll have a better chance of hitting targets and creating lots of output. You might be able to get away with a little leniency and looseness, but that will eventually catch up to you in the end.

How can you create a smooth-running operation then? Well, fortunately, there are loads of different things you can do that will affect all aspects. The environment will obviously need to be on point, for starters. You’ll also need to get the workforce firing, too – they’re pretty integral to the way the entire business performs! Here are a few specific ways you can get all these kinds of things sorted out:

Make A Plan And Stick To It

Without preparation, you’ll probably falter at some point. Some businesses like to be fluid and free-flowing when it comes to all aspects. The majority need to have more of a cautious and collected approach to things. If you know exactly who’s going to be doing what, and exactly what’s going to happen, then you’ll have a clearer view of the future.

Create a plan for the week again, but be sure to outline your vision for the upcoming months, too. The long-term is just as important as the long term.

Create A Certain Way Of Operating

This might sound a little totalitarian to some people, but having a particular set of steps might make everything a lot slicker. Sure, autonomy is nice, and nobody likes being shackled by a certain style, but it’s a great way of getting things done smoothly. If your workers have a style drilled into them, then they’ll systematically fire through their jobs with little time for stalling and overthinking.

Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

This is pretty basic, but so many businesses don’t check themselves on a regular basis. If you don’t have certain parts or the right equipment, then you’re going to struggle to get things done. At the beginning of each week, be sure to take stock. You don’t want to have everything ready, then realize you’re missing a few swivel eye bolts, or that a particular machine is malfunctioning.

Hire The Right People

We mentioned before that the team is kind of important to the productivity. Well, if you have competent, efficient, and hungry staff, then they’re going to be more motivated than most. When you have active workers, the entire system will flow better. Unmotivated and sluggish people will always bring the rest of the team down and slow everything up.

Be sure to regularly train the staff, too. They will always need a kick up the backside because they’re human. New techniques and methods regarding all aspects of work are surfacing, too, so they’ll need to be up to speed.

Safety First!

Make sure everything is completely safe and good-to-go in the workplace. If things are looking a little ropey, then that’s only going to hinder the productivity and the flow. Errors will probably be made during the day, and the staff might be on tenterhooks throughout.

Never Take Your Suppliers For Granted

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Suppliers|Never Take Your Suppliers For GrantedThere are many pillars upon which a competent business rests. See how even the most successful business operates with only 20% of its staff turning up for work, or only 20% of its IT systems functioning that day, and you’ll see just how quickly even the most titanic corporations can lose value quickly.

This is why it’s important to never take those pillars for granted. Included in this definition, often forgotten, is the network of suppliers you use. No business can function without a supplier of some kind, even the most self-reliant and self-sufficient firm that seems to construct most of their output themselves. Even those businesses that craft raw materials for other production capabilities will need to rely on tools, security, IT infrastructure and more from a separate source, and this applies to your business also.

This means that it’s important to consider the value of your suppliers, and to understand just how to build that business relationship effectively. This can help you both isolate the best and worst suppliers you may have to use, and that can be important.

Consider the following advice:

Customized Services

The best suppliers offer customized services to help you realize your ambitions as a firm in the best manner possible. This is because over and above the normal applications your firm may have for their product line, applications such as metal stamping, plastic moulds and storage solutions can add or subtract from your final product depending on how you use certain implements. When you realize this, you can hold onto those suppliers that are familiar with your firm and are willing to work with you to the best solution.

Loyal Goodwill

There’s a sense of goodwill that develops when you continue to use the same services. Perhaps this may even run two-ways. If you are known as a client that pays their invoices within a matter of days, if you have clear and consistent communication and you’re also forthright about your needs surrounding a new project, then you are both an exciting and dependable client to work for. If you appreciate your suppliers in return and practice goodwill from time to time, they will return that, potentially even placing you at the top of their priority list.

Supporting Your Local Businesses

Supporting your local businesses can be a worthwhile stance to take in itself. Sure, blindly supporting the businesses around you without any consideration for how they treat their customers or clients is not the way forward, but at the same time, if you have the choice between two suppliers and one is local and smaller and can fulfill your orders just fine? It may be worth utilizing them, to bond with the strength of community, and to abide by ethical business practices that may just return back to you. You never know just how this web of complex mutual support can truly improve and raise a local economy, and help you craft more thorough business ties.

With this advice, we hope you’ll never take your suppliers for granted.