Sorry about the lack of a post yesterday.

MSN is in the process of bringing out their new search engine results - currently they use Yahoo. You can test what your results are at the following link -
http://techpreview.search.msn.com/

You can read some more details at the article below -
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3376041

Build A Bear -

During our vacation we visited a shopping center / outdoor mall called Broadway on the Beach. My daughter Haley has more stuffed animals than I can count but she decided that she wanted a Build A Bear (although she ultimately chose to build a stuffed dog).

Advertising -

How did Haley know about it - she saw several kids walking around the mall with boxes, which were the new bears homes, and what the new animal was placed in.

The Process -

The buying process was more of an experience than a process. We stood in line outside the door (again another good advertisement, after all if folks were willing to stand in line then it must be worth it).

We then stepped inside the store with about 10 other folks at a time and got to choose which animal that we wanted. Samples of the finished product were on display and prices varied from about $20.00 to $40.00 or so. Haley choose a dog, then we had the choice of adding sounds. Samples of the sound could be played (try before you buy). Haley of course chose a bark.

Next stop was the stuffing station where Haley got to stuff the bear. She put a tag into the dog so if it was lost it would be returned to her at no cost (added value). After stuffing the dog we gave it a bath (with compressed air and a brush (which by the way they sold the brushes - which Haley of course had to have one).

About half the store was dedicated to accessories for the stuffed animals - clothes, dog toys, brushes etc. The whole time I observed no one just had something stuffed but at least a handful of accessories as well.

Customer Care -

Everyone in the store was friendly and went out of their way to make your feel special.

Back end sales -

As I mentioned everyone had at least as many accessories as they could hold.

Follow up -

In order to get a birth certificate Haley entered her information on one of several computers that were setup - Name, address, age, email address etc. I'm not sure of what their follow up schedule will be but I'm sure they will be doing something.


Hopefully that you gives you some ideas on how to improve your own business.

Tim