Business
- Understanding Consumer Needs: A Holistic Approach to Sales
In today’s competitive market, understanding the unique needs of customers is paramount, particularly when assisting families in significant purchases such as vehicles or footwear. Imagine a family entering an auto dealership, looking to purchase a vehicle that accommodates their large family and specific requirements. The initial step in this process is to engage the family in a conversation about their budget and essential features. However, my approach goes beyond simply matching criteria.
Tailored Solutions for Unique Family Dynamics
After establishing a budget, I would delve deeper by asking questions about the ages of their children and any particular safety features they may require. For instance, if there are toddlers in the family, we might prioritize vehicles with advanced safety systems, easy access to car seats, or spacious interiors to accommodate strollers and other child necessities. By focusing on these aspects, I can ensure that the vehicle not only meets their practical needs but also promotes a sense of safety and security within the family unit.
Moreover, I consider the psychological implications of the purchase. A family vehicle serves as a space for bonding, adventure, and comfort. By offering options that encourage positive family experiences, I aim to maximize the developmental benefits for the children while ensuring the vehicle is psychologically beneficial for the entire family.
Why This Matters: Building Trust and Community
This approach is crucial because consumers rely on us to find the right vehicle that meets their needs, budget, and safety requirements. We facilitate significant financial milestones for our customers, often representing a substantial investment for families. By considering factors beyond mere specifications, we can foster a community of growth and trust, enhancing our reputation within the town.
Expanding the Concept: A Holistic Approach in Retail Footwear
This same philosophy applies to retail, particularly when selling footwear. Imagine a family shopping for shoes for their children. The process begins similarly: I would inquire about their budget and any specific features they are seeking—whether it’s durability for active play or support for growing feet.
Finding the Best Shoes Across Price Ranges
To further illustrate this approach, let’s examine how I would guide a family in selecting shoes by identifying three of the best options across three different price ranges: low, medium, and high.
Low Price Range (Under $50)
- Adidas Advantage Base
Description: Affordable, stylish, and comfortable, these sneakers provide good support for everyday wear.
Why It Works: Their classic design appeals to children and parents alike, making them a versatile choice for various occasions.
- New Balance 680v6
Description: A lightweight running shoe with ample cushioning, suitable for active children.
Why It Works: Offers a balance of quality and affordability, ensuring kids can run and play comfortably.
- Skechers Microburst
Description: These shoes feature a breathable mesh upper and a lightweight design, perfect for casual wear.
Why It Works: The emphasis on comfort and style makes them attractive to kids, while parents appreciate the value.
Medium Price Range ($50-$100)
- Nike Air Max Excee
Description: Combining style and comfort, these shoes are ideal for both sports and casual outings.
Why It Works: The Nike brand is trusted, and the Air Max technology offers excellent support, making them a popular choice among older children.
- ASICS Gel-Contend 7
Description: Designed for active kids, these shoes provide cushioning and support for running and playing.
Why It Works: ASICS is renowned for its athletic footwear, and these shoes deliver quality at a reasonable price.
- Saucony Cohesion 14
Description: A versatile running shoe that offers stability and comfort, suitable for various activities.
Why It Works: The emphasis on functionality combined with a stylish design appeals to both parents and children.
High Price Range (Above $100)
- Hoka One One Bondi 8
Description: Known for exceptional cushioning and support, these shoes are perfect for long distances and active kids.
Why It Works: Hoka's focus on comfort and performance makes these shoes a worthwhile investment for serious young athletes.
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
Description: A highly regarded running shoe that balances comfort, responsiveness, and durability.
Why It Works: Its performance features cater to older children involved in sports, while the Nike brand adds an aspirational element.
- Adidas Ultraboost 22
Description: These premium sneakers combine style and advanced cushioning technology for a luxurious feel.
Why It Works: The blend of performance and aesthetics makes them a favorite among trend-conscious youths.
Understanding Developmental Needs in Footwear
Beyond the initial questions, I would explore the developmental stages of the children. For younger children, I would emphasize shoes that promote healthy foot development and provide ample support. For older kids involved in sports, I would recommend shoes that cater to their specific activities, ensuring that they enhance performance while minimizing the risk of injury.
Just as with vehicle purchases, the psychological aspects are significant. Shoes are often tied to self-expression and confidence, especially for children. By guiding parents to select footwear that not only fits well but also resonates with their child’s personality, we create a positive shopping experience that contributes to the child’s overall self-esteem and comfort.
The Food Industry Perspective: Marketing and Consumer Engagement
In both the automotive and footwear industries, the holistic approach can also be mirrored in the food sector, where understanding consumer preferences is crucial for effective marketing and engagement. For instance, consider a family shopping for healthy meal options. A grocery store can implement strategies similar to those in vehicle and footwear sales.
Tailored Recommendations: Just as we inquire about a family’s needs for vehicles and shoes, grocery stores can engage customers by asking about dietary restrictions, family sizes, and meal preferences. This information can guide staff in making personalized recommendations.
Product Range Selection: Similar to identifying the best shoes across different price ranges, grocery stores can curate selections of healthy foods across various price points. This may involve offering budget-friendly options like store-brand products alongside premium organic choices.
Community Engagement: Establishing trust with consumers is crucial. Grocery stores can foster community by hosting cooking classes or health workshops, encouraging families to make informed choices. This aligns with the concept of facilitating significant purchases—like food that nurtures and sustains families.
Promotional Strategies: Marketing campaigns can focus on the developmental benefits of nutritious food for children, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits. This could involve collaboration with local schools or pediatricians to reinforce the message.
Conclusion: Enhancing Customer Experience Through a Holistic Lens
By adopting a holistic approach in automotive, retail footwear, and the food industry, we not only fulfill the immediate needs of our customers but also contribute to their long-term satisfaction and well-being. In doing so, we cultivate trust, loyalty, and a strong sense of community—key components in establishing a reputable business. Ultimately, our goal is to serve not just as salespeople but as facilitators of meaningful experiences that positively impact the lives of our customers and their families.
- Moody's poised to lower Israel's credit rating again amid escalating security situation
In February, Moody's downgraded Israel's rating to A2. The upcoming change reflects not only the geopolitical escalation but also Moody's lack of confidence in the Israeli government's ability to manage fiscal consolidation and reduce debt.
Credit rating agency Moody's is set to release an updated rating on Friday which is expected to downgrade Israel's credit rating to A3, equivalent to an A- rating by other agencies.
- Intel and US race to finalise $8.5bn in chips funding by year’s end [Financial Times]
cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/43492652
- Salesforce to close Portland office, asks employees to relocate or take severancewww.businessinsider.com Salesforce to close Portland office, asks employees to relocate or take severance
Salesforce is closing its office in Hillsboro, Oregon, and asking employees to relocate or take a severance package.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20257795
> "In virtual meetings Thursday afternoon, the cloud software giant notified staffers who report to its Hillsboro office, thirty minutes outside of Portland, of its decision. Customer-success employees, who account for much of the Hillsboro office's staff, were given until November 26 to decide whether to take a severance package or relocate to Indianapolis, Atlanta, or Seattle, where Salesforce also has offices. Other employees were told they could continue to work for Salesforce remotely."
- Shein Workers Have Had It—and They’re Going Publicwww.wired.com Shein Workers Have Had It—and They’re Going Public
Workers have been sharing videos alleging the precarious working conditions that have allowed the Chinese ecommerce giant to target unstoppable growth.
> In a video uploaded to the Chinese social media platform Bilibili in October, a Shein warehouse worker in southern China with black-rimmed glasses tells the camera he picked 650 clothing items during his last shift—a feat he claims to have accomplished, in part, by not taking a single bathroom break. The worker says the sacrifice would help him reach his goal of earning 10,000 RMB (nearly $1,500 at the time) a month at his job picking and packing customer orders for Shein, the global fast-fashion juggernaut valued last year at $66 billion. > > In a separate Bilibili video posted a few days later, a different Shein staffer says that he is “sweating profusely after picking goods all night,” but he’s grateful, at least, that his team leader is friendly. In a third clip shared to the short-form video platform Kuaishou in November, another Shein worker with long hair pulled back into a low ponytail tells the camera she is having trouble lifting her left hand after completing an 11-and-a-half hour shift at a Shein warehouse. “My first time working in logistics, there won’t be a second time,” reads the caption.
Note: title is drawn from the article, and I'd argue is rather exaggerated given the contents. A better title might be, "A Look Into Shein's Reliance on Gig Workers". Just realized this may be behind paywall for some, archive link in the event of that.
- Justice Department Probes Server Maker Super Micro Computer [Wall Street Journal]
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20268258
- Mark Zuckerberg: creators and publishers ‘overestimate the value’ of their work for training AIwww.theverge.com Mark Zuckerberg: creators and publishers ‘overestimate the value’ of their work for training AI
Meta could strike deals for “really important” work.
> Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says there are complex copyright questions around scraping data to train AI models, but he suggests the individual work of most creators isn’t valuable enough for it to matter. [...] > [...] > Zuckerberg said Meta’s future AI content strategy would likely echo its blunt response to proposed laws that would add a fee for links to news stories. The company has typically responded to these rules by blocking news outlets in countries like Australia and Canada. “Look, we’re a big company,” he said. “We pay for content when it’s valuable to people. We’re just not going to pay for content when it’s not valuable to people. I think that you’ll probably see a similar dynamic with AI.”
- Disney Layoffs Underway: Hundreds Of Corporate Staffers Impacteddeadline.com Disney Layoffs Underway: Hundreds Of Corporate Staffers Impacted
Disney is in the middle of a new wave of cuts as part of a "cost-saving initiative," sources tell Deadline.
- Amazon UK pays corporation tax for first time since 2020www.theguardian.com Amazon UK pays corporation tax for first time since 2020
End of ‘super-deduction’ means Amazon UK Services paid £18.7m last year, as British arm raked in sales of £27bn
- Powell's Books donates portions of banned book sales to lawsuits fighting book ban lawswww.kgw.com Powell's Books donates portions of banned book sales to lawsuits fighting book ban laws
Between Sept. 22-28, for any book bought from Powell's Banned Book list, 20% of the sale will be donated to help fund ongoing lawsuits against book ban laws.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20190118
> Between Sept. 22-28, for any book bought from Powell's Banned Book list, 20% of the sale will be donated. There are over 150 books on the list available to be purchased, including book titles such as "Hunger Games," "1984," "Heartstopper" and "The Color Purple." > > Also applies to www.powells.com > > https://powells.com/banned-books
- Arm Is Rebuffed by Intel After Inquiring About Buying Product Unit [Bloomberg]
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20238941
> Source Bloomberg article
- Department of Justice sues Visa, alleges the card issuer monopolizes debit card marketsapnews.com Department of Justice sues Visa, alleges the card issuer monopolizes debit card markets
The U.S. Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Visa, alleging that the financial services behemoth uses its size and dominance to stifle competition in the debit card market.
- Stellantis CEO follows Chinese route to avoid EV tariff 'trap'
- Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares calls tariffs a 'trap' shielding legacy automakers
- Stellantis' joint venture with Leapmotor gives access to Chinese EV technology
- U.S. and EU have differing strategies on Chinese EVs and technology
LONDON/DETROIT, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Stellantis wants to adopt the low-cost mindset of Chinese EV makers despite the European and U.S. tariffs CEO Carlos Tavares lambasts as anticompetitive, but the world's No. 4 automaker must navigate trade barriers on both sides of the Atlantic if it wants to succeed.
Tavares calls tariffs a "trap," arguing they will hurt legacy automakers by shielding them from the reality that Chinese rivals make electric vehicles for about a third less.
The best way to compete is instead to "try to be Chinese ourselves," Tavares said at a Reuters Events conference in Munich in May.
That belief led Stellantis to purchase a 21% stake in China EV maker Leapmotor last October, creating a joint venture giving Stellantis access to Leapmotor technology and exclusive rights to produce its EVs outside of China.
- Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares calls tariffs a 'trap' shielding legacy automakers
- US Justice Department accuses Visa of illegal monopoly that adds to the price of ‘nearly everythingwww.cnn.com US Justice Department accuses Visa of illegal monopoly that adds to the price of ‘nearly everything’ | CNN Business
The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing Visa of illegally monopolizing the debit card market.
- Ubisoft Starts Internal Investigation. Recent Slip-ups Spark Concerns; There May Be Layoffs at the Very Topwww.gamepressure.com Ubisoft Starts Internal Investigation. Recent Slip-ups Spark Concerns; There May Be Layoffs at the Very Top
A procedure will be implemented at Ubisoft to examine the company's operations under the current CEO, Yves Guillemot. The goal of the fact-finding committee will be to improve the French studio's performance.
- Coca-Cola is pulling its newest ‘permanent’ flavor from store shelveswww.cnn.com Coca-Cola is pulling its newest ‘permanent’ flavor from store shelves | CNN Business
Coca-Cola is discontinuing the production of its new Spiced flavor just six months after the soda hit shelves, marking the end of a disappointing attempt to attract younger drinkers.
Coca-Cola Spiced, BTW.
- First post-IPO Raspberry Pi results in, and they are strongwww.theregister.com First post-IPO Raspberry Pi results in, and they are strong
The little computer-that-could benefits as supply chain eases
> The little computer-that-could benefits as supply chain eases
- Brazil's Lula says he is ready to sign EU-Mercosur trade deal
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he is ready to sign a trade agreement between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc, but that it is now up to the EU to conclude negotiations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Lula said his country was surprising investors and credit rating agencies with stronger than expected growth, and offering new stability now that tax reform has advanced in Congress.
"If the EU is ready we can sign the trade agreement during the G20 meeting in Brazil," he told reporters, referring to the Group of 20 rich nations summit in Rio de Janeiro in November.
"I have never been so optimistic about the EU-Mercosur accord," the Brazilian leader added.
A European diplomatic source said there had been progress towards resolving differences at a face-to-face meeting of negotiators in Brasilia on Sept 5-6.
- Murdoch family fights in secret over future of media empirewww.bbc.com Murdoch family fights in secret over future of media empire
A succession drama has played out in a Reno courtroom - and the outcome is likely to be withheld from the public.
- Intel Gets Multibillion-Dollar Apollo Offer as Qualcomm Circles [Bloomberg]
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20126672
> Source Bloomberg article
- Chip Giants TSMC and Samsung Discuss Building Middle Eastern Megafactories [WSJ]
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20125774
- Vegan cheese won't save the world — but this brand hopes you'll buy it anywaygrist.org Vegan cheese won't save the world — but this brand hopes you'll buy it anyway
Plonts, a new plant-based cheese, is taking an irreverent approach to swaying consumers.
- When you call a restaurant, you might be chatting with an AI hostarstechnica.com When you call a restaurant, you might be chatting with an AI host
Voice chatbots are increasingly picking up the phone for restaurants.
- Sorry, there’s no way Qualcomm is buying Intelwww.theregister.com Sorry, there’s no way Qualcomm is buying Intel
Is this from the same gossips who were wrong about Altera and Mobileye or the DoJ subpoenaing Nvidia?
- How breaking up Google could lower your online shopping billarstechnica.com How breaking up Google could lower your online shopping bill
A DOJ win in Google's ad tech monopoly trial could benefit everyone, experts say.
- Dow hits 42,000 for first time in Fed fueled runwww.foxbusiness.com Dow hits 42,000 for first time in Fed fueled run
Investors celebrated the Federal Reserve's super-sized interest rate cut and what is likely the start of a longtime coming easing cycle that should lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.
- Cinema Chains Put $2.2B Bet On Box Office Rebound With New Upgradeswww.hollywoodreporter.com Movie Theater Chains Put $2.2B Bet on Box Office Rebound With New Upgrades
North American theater owners unveiled plans for fresh capital investments over three years to draw moviegoers out of the house with a more premium experience at the local multiplex.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19949217 > North American theater owners new capital investments draw moviegoers house premium experience local multiplex.
- Tupperware, company known for its plastic containers, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcywww.usatoday.com Tupperware, company known for its plastic containers, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Tupperware is best known for its once-iconic, colorful food storage containers. Here's what we know so far after the company filed for bankruptcy.
- US Senate Warns Big Tech to Act Fast Against Election Meddlingwww.wired.com US Senate Warns Big Tech to Act Fast Against Election Meddling
In an Intelligence Committee hearing with representatives from Google, Apple, and Meta on Wednesday, senators stressed that foreign influence is far from a solved problem.
- IBM quietly axing thousands of jobs, source claimswww.theregister.com IBM quietly axing thousands of jobs, source claims
We did warn you, Big Blue tells The Reg, as Cisco also swings the ax as promised
- Substack, a newsletter service, is now also a live video companywww.engadget.com Substack, a newsletter service, is now also a live video company
Substack is adding a live video component to its newsletter service. In its announcement post, the company positioned this feature as providing real-time audience engagement for creators.
- Former MoviePass CEO admits the $9.95 ‘unlimited’ ticket scheme was fraudwww.theverge.com Former MoviePass CEO admits the $9.95 ‘unlimited’ ticket scheme was fraud
Unlimited movies were too good to be true.
- After Shark Tank, Mark Cuban Just Wants to Break Shit—Especially the Prescription Drug Industrywww.wired.com After Shark Tank, Mark Cuban Just Wants to Break Shit—Especially the Prescription Drug Industry
Billionaire Mark Cuban is done with his hit TV show, but he’s still invested in fighting pharma’s middlemen, being a dad, and needling Elon Musk.
- Intel ejects Foundry as independent subsidiarywww.theregister.com Intel ejects Foundry as independent subsidiary
Pauses European fabs, scores secret US gig, teams up with Amazon, re-orgs its innards, and more!
- Home Depot to pay $2 million settlement for overcharging customerswww.cnn.com Home Depot to pay $2 million settlement for overcharging customers and false advertising | CNN Business
Home Depot will pay nearly $2 million to settle a civil enforcement claim from California district attorneys that the home improvement company was engaging in false advertising and unfair competition.
"The complaint filed in San Diego Superior Court said that when people at Home Depot brought an item to checkout, they would be charged more money than was written on the shelf tag or on the item itself."
- Biden moves to crack down on Shein and Temu, slow shipments into USarstechnica.com Biden moves to crack down on Shein and Temu, slow shipments into US
Rapid growth of Temu and Shein threatens US businesses and consumers, Biden says.
> Rapid growth of Temu and Shein threatens US businesses and consumers, Biden says.
- OpenAI is reportedly moving away from its complicated non-profit structure next yearwww.engadget.com OpenAI is reportedly moving away from its complicated non-profit structure next year
Sam Altman has reportedly told OpenAI staff members that they're moving away from its non-profit structure.
> Sam Altman has reportedly told OpenAI staff members that they're moving away from its non-profit structure.
- Senators slam private equity–fueled hospital giant in charged hearingwww.motherjones.com Senators slam private equity–fueled hospital giant in charged hearing
Steward Health Care declared bankruptcy in May—after years of sacrificing patient care for profits.