Nov

30

Insurance Protection, Getting Orders, Writing Contracts

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INSURE YOUR SUCCESS

Years ago I recall gift basket businesses being disrupted by floods and fires that occurred in their neighborhoods. The same has no doubt happened again to designers located in Southern California.

Wednesday’s newsletter reminds you why insurance is crucial to protect your inventory and other supplies that support your business. The bottom line: take pictures, and get enough coverage for your investment.

WHAT RECESSION?

In past newsletters I’ve mentioned that one of your best defenses against corporations canceling orders is to make slim, yet tall gifts that are less in price than your grand baskets. The lower-price alternative is working for some designers, as examined in an article mentioned here.

You’ll also see a photo of the partial contents for the grand prize in the gift basket business contest, which ends today. My apologies for stating in recent blog posts that the contest ends Monday. Good luck to all!

SECURING CONTACTS WITH CONTRACTS

A designer who’s preparing to work with a hotel wonders if a contract is necessary. I share my advice on this at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. What do you think? Will a contract ensure that the hotel does the right thing?

Nov

26

Will Insurance Problems Hinder Your Holiday?

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The design part of making gift baskets is truly the fun part, and best of all, you get paid for your expertise! But there are also parts of running this business that must be taken seriously.

Sooner or later, a mishap may occur. Three problems I can immediately think of are a:

  • Client who trips on a stair because she insists on picking up the basket from your location.

  • Telephone call notifying you that a recipient is hospitalized because of a product consumed from the gift basket.

  • Courier who delivered your basket to a teenager who became drunk from a bottle of wine you included, a bottle you hoped wouldn’t be a problem this one time.

    • Liabilities happen at the least-likely moment, and you must ensure that you and your firm are protected against circumstances that may end your business and lifestyle.

    Insurance is not as glamorous as designing gifts, but it’s a product that lets you continue to create beautiful designs while maintaining your peace of mind.

    Many insurance carriers call our specific type of coverage “crafter’s insurance,” but don’t let those hobby-sounding words fool you. This coverage contains a minimum $1 million in liability protection and more to let you sleep soundly at night.

    Click here to review your insurance options before another day goes by. This holiday season, you want the media talking about your glamorous gift baskets, not damages incurred by a customer you’ll meet in court.

    Remember to enter the gift basket contest with three prizes valued between $100 and $300. Deadline is 11/30. Get details here.

    Aug

    31

    Your Retail Store Policy, Insurance Protection, Wholesale Supplies

    Filed Under Insurance, Wholesale Suppliers | Comments Off

    READY TO LAY DOWN THE LAW?
    Most retail stores have a policy that outlines the buying, exchange, and return procedures that protect them from customer liabilities that may occur during the store’s existence. I say most stores because you may not have a policy, but that’s about to change.

    Wednesday’s newsletter tells what happened to me when a client complained and the good and bad I experienced that finally convinced me to put store rules in print.

    HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
    Do you consider business liability insurance to be an investment or expense? Like all insurance plans, it may be a burden to pay, but you certainly want coverage in place for unexpected disasters.

    This blog article explains three reasons why insurance is to be taken seriously in today’s litigious society.

    BEFORE I INCREASE THE WHOLESALE SUPPLIES LIST…
    During September, the www.GiftBasketWholesaleSupplies.com site will expand to include new suppliers of baskets, foods, enhancements, and more. Is there a different or additional format that will help you find what you need?

    Reply to this newsletter, and let me know. About 100 more listings will be added, and I appreciate your feedback on what will assist you on this site.

    http://www.giftbasketwholesalesupplies.com/

    Jul

    27

    How to Sell in the Summer, Insurance Tips, Target Market

    Filed Under Insurance, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Comments Off

    YOUR SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE
    July and August are two months with notorious reputations for slow sales, but that’s not true for designers who’ve prepared a number of promotions that turn the tide from slow to super. Wednesday’s newsletter explains why it’s not too late to increase your sales right now. Try one of the options next week.

    COVER YOUR ASSETS
    I operated my gift basket business without insurance the first year I started designing. Then I read how someone working in another industry might lose their personal possessions because they were uninsured. Are you also working without a net? Learn more here about business insurance and how protect what your own.

    HOW TO TARGET YOUR MARKET
    Who is your customer? What are their traits, and how do you find them? Here’s one definition of target market, and this quick article shares information I cover in my PR and marketing seminar, which I’ll share in detail next weekend at the Orlando Gift Show.