Pet Industry Briefs

Registration now open for SuperZoo 2012

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

SuperZoo, The National Show for Pet Retailers, has opened registration for the pet industry trade show being held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Sept. 11-13, 2012. Pet retailers and groomers can now register to attend SuperZoo as well as register for other SuperZoo offerings such as SuperZoo University, Groomer SuperShow Seminars, and Groomer SuperShow Grooming Contests.

Location, location, location: Where to put digital signage in retail

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Brick-and-mortar retailers are discovering that it's just not enough anymore to rent a storefront, slap on some shelves and roll out their products for display. The Internet has given shoppers the ability to track down the cheapest price for a particular product at the touch of a button and have it shipped directly to their door. Although the death of the brick-and-mortar retailer may have been prematurely exaggerated, those retailers do face challenges if they want to remain viable. How, then, can they not only survive, but also thrive?

Creating a recognition-based culture

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Although not all employees may aspire to management, strong recognition-based cultures offer highly motivated workers a clear path to greater responsibility. More so than anything else, a promotion is beneficial in demonstrating to the worker that the business understands and appreciates her contributions.

Made a mistake? Own it with humor

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

You're going to make a mistake or six, but what do you do after? For SuccessFactors chief people officer Jeff Diana, the key is to sprinkle in some self-deprecation, take it off the table, and move on. Watch to find out how.

How cloud computing saved 3 businesses

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Some might find it strange that something as ephemeral as the "cloud" could have as great an impact on businesses as more tangible transformational technologies such as the smartphone and computer. With the cloud, businesses don't have to invest in and maintain costly backroom hardware and software. They are freed from costly, time consuming maintenance and administrative duties and can concentrate on what they really want to do — run a profitable operation.

The Holy Grail of leadership

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Dave Logan, senior partner of CultureSync, writes, "My last haircut was overseen, at least for a few minutes, by Vidal Sassoon — the man. That chance meeting was one of the most subtle and important leadership lessons you can ever learn. Here it is, but it will take a few paragraphs to unpack and make practical: The leader and the led are one."

Five anti-breed specific bills introduced in Maryland

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Five anti-breed specific bills have been introduced in Maryland's special legislative session. The bills come after a recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision, Tracy v. Solesky, declaring pit bulls and cross-bred pit bulls as inherently dangerous dogs. The proposed legislation declares that a dog may not be presumed as "dangerous" solely by breed. Although the special session has been specifically designated for budget discussions and it is highly unlikely the bills will be discussed, there is a second special session planned for later in the summer.

Largest Interzoo opens in Nuremburg

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

The world's largest pet product trade show opened in Nuremberg, Germany, with a record 1,541 exhibitors and more than 1,000,000 square feet of exhibit space. Organizers are expecting about 38,000 trade visitors, similar to 2010's 38,324 visitors. During official opening ceremonies, Hans-Jochen Buengener, chairman of Interzoo's exhibition committee, said exhibitors represented 53 nations and that 79 percent of all exhibitors were from outside Germany.

Shelter cats go social via Kong campaign

21 May 2012 14:04:40 CDT

Pet toy manufacturer Kong Co. launched a charitable campaign called "Pets Need to Play," through which the Golden, Colo.-based company will install live, interactive online toys for cats at several shelters across the country and donate Classic Kong toys for dogs, as well, the company reported today. The goal of the campaign is to increase adoptions of shelter animals, said K.D. Frueh, president of Kong.