Trade Shows 101
from MSNBC
MSNBC's Your Biz columnist attended a trade show down south last week and was surprised at how busy it was. In spite of the economy, attendance by both exhibitors and attendees was strong. In fact, many companies say that this is not the time to skimp on marketing. While most of them are not planning any over-the-top campaigns, they're still continuing with efforts to attract leads and customers. But now more than ever, if you spend thousands of dollars on a trade show, you want to make sure you get a return on that investment. More

Bringing Out the Best in Your Team
from Inc. Human Resources Blog
With all the anxiety in the marketplace, it’s only natural that employees may feel concerned about issues on the home front as well as job security at the office. Yet, with many managers focused on making numbers and closing sales, it’s often too easy to overlook their number one asset--the internal team. More

Best Hiring Practices for Pet Businesses
from Pet Product News
Many potential employees know retail and exhibit good work ethics. However, do they truly love animals? Résumés and typical interview questions about goals and schooling provide only part of an assessment when retailers discern whom they should hire and who should work elsewhere. More

How Twitter, Facebook Can Save You Money
from Smart Money
Merely maintaining customer loyalty just isn’t enough for businesses these days. Now companies as varied as Sears, Fiji Water and Gold’s Gym want to be friends with you, too -- through online social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Indeed, in an effort to ensure warm feelings, some companies are even offering exclusive discounts and deals in exchange for the privilege of your friendship. "There’s definitely a business advantage to having a presence there," says Tim Ross, principal of Kendall Ross, a Seattle-based retail branding firm. "It’s free, targeted advertising." More

Weddings Going to the Dogs
from San Jose Mercury News
Man's best friend has turned into the best man as an increasing number of couples are using dogs in their wedding ceremonies. This new breed of wedding guest has created a niche industry that caters to Fido's appearance on his owner's big day. More

Five Recession Driven Opportunities
from Pet Business
While it can be all too easy for business owners to see gloom and doom behind every door in this type of selling environment, it’s important to keep a positive outlook. The recession is having a profound effect on every industry–many of which have been hit much harder than the market for pet products–and this pervasiveness is creating some real opportunities for retailers who are brave enough (and healthy enough) to take advantage. More

Pet Owners Bypass Extras But Still Buy the Good Stuff
from Pet Age
Pet owners see rising prices everywhere so they understand rising pet food prices, according to Connie Packard Kamedulski, who owns Animal Fair Pet Shop L.L.C., a pet supply store in Ridgefield, Conn. “What they won’t tolerate, however, is a formula change to lower quality in conjunction with a bag size decrease and a price increase,” she said. More