Sylvan Goldman, the Oklahoma grocer who invented the shopping cart in 1937, had a problem that prevented him from increasing sales at his store. The women who frequented Goldman’s stores (and in the 1930s, they were mostly women) stopped buying when their hand baskets were full. I can imagine Goldman sitting in his office after a long Saturday, thinking about the problem and thinking, “How can I grow my business by making it easier for these women to shop?”
With a larger basket, his customers could buy more things. Since the basket would be too heavy to lift, Goldman put it on wheels, using a folding chair for the frame. His “prototype” was a bit bulky, but Goldman thought it was good enough for a market test.
Like most entrepreneurs, Goldman found that his target market was extremely resistant to change. He studied his customers’ complaints: women said the cart reminded them of a baby stroller, and men objected because pushing a cart didn’t seem “manly enough.”
Convinced he had a good idea, Goldman hired men and women to push the carts. He also added an assistant to offer the carts to customers at the entrance to the store. It worked. The carts caught on, Goldman patented his invention, and made enough money to become one of Oklahoma’s multimillionaire philanthropists.
Goldman also sought to grow his business by offering better service to his customers. And like any successful entrepreneur, he had a solid exit strategy, licensing his shopping cart patent to a company that improved the product to the telescoping baskets we use today.
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A few years ago, when newspapers realized that Google News and Craig’s List were eating their lunch, the bean counters in charge started to cut costs.
One of the ways they did that was to slash editorial budgets.
Content is content, they said. We can share content between papers.
So that’s why you started seeing articles in your local newspaper about distant towns. Or auto ads in the classifieds for cars that were 200 miles away from you.
The bean counters were happy.
But…
…it accelerated the downward death spiral that newspapers were battling.
Some very smart and experienced people say we are looking at a deep business decline, and you should cut business costs to survive. Others say the economy will continue as it is, challenging but workable.
My own opinion (no I am not one of those very smart and experienced people, but I do monitor trends carefully) is as business owners we ALWAYS should be monitoring costs, cutting fat while not trimming the muscle that propels our businesses.
While others are cutting advertising, marketing, payroll and the muscle of their business, a smart business owner will keep their business in front of existing customers and new prospects. Day after day. Week after week.
I am of the opinion a web site is the muscle of your business, reminding your existing customers you are still around and ready to take care of them, and prospects a place to discover you exist and to learn more about you. The cost is minimal in the grand scheme of things.
Consider adding to your marketing, especially if we are approaching a downturn. AmeriWeb Hosting can help boost your web site responses. We are SEO experts. Our goal is to make your phone ring, and we’re pretty darn good at it. Call or email for more information.
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Non Violent Joliet, an organization dedicated to cultivating peace and justice, is reaffirming its mission to promote nonviolence through a variety of educational and outreach programs. The organization, which operates under the name Non Violent Cities Project-Joliet, aims to build a more peaceful and fair society by empowering local communities and individuals.
Non Violent Joliet’s initiatives include peace-building workshops, community dialogues, and conflict resolution training. By offering these resources, the organization strives to ensure that peace is accessible to everyone in the Joliet area, regardless of their circumstances. The group also collaborates with local leaders and community efforts to tackle social inequalities and advocate for a just society.
In addition to its educational programs, Non Violent Joliet provides vital community services, including access to resources that promote nonviolence. Through their work, the organization hopes to inspire meaningful transformation and help individuals and groups build a harmonious future.
To learn more or to get involved, please contact Non Violent Joliet at nvcpjoliet@gmail.com.
Intentionz, the alternative/indie rock duo from Plainfield, Illinois, is proud to announce the release of their debut album, “Long Story Short.” Founded in 2020 by members Dom and Kyle, the duo’s first full-length project is now available on all major streaming platforms.
“Long Story Short” showcases a diverse range of genres and influences, highlighting the unique sound that Intentionz has been cultivating since their formation. The album is a testament to the duo’s creative vision and hard work, and marks a significant milestone in their musical journey.
Intentionz is currently in the studio, working on new music to follow up their debut release. Fans can listen to “Long Story Short” and stay tuned for future projects.
Did you ever want to know what you’d look like in a blister pack? Introducing Ameri-Man , not coming to a store near you!
ChatGPT now lets you make an AI action figure of yourself, complete with accessories and blister pack packaging. So let your businessworkload slide for a few minutes and become that super hero we all secretly want to be. You know you want to!
Just upload a selfie, type in a prompt and boom: You’re a 1:6 scale collectible. You
can even list accessories, like sunglasses, a belt or in my case a sword and shield.
To try it, type something like: “Use this photo of me to create an action figure of myself inside a blister pack, styled like a high-end collectible toy. The figure should be standing upright with a smile. The blister packaging should say ‘[ACTION FIGURE NAME]’ and this underneath:
‘[SUBHEADING]’. Add accessories inside compartments such as: [LIST OF ACCESSORIES].”
Warning: Free users only get three prompts a day, so use them wisely. Or
turn yourself into a cowboy three times. No one’s judging.
