Tag: AQR Academy

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Employment Laws: Part Two

employment laws

To continue our Employee Handbook series, this week we cover wage laws and drug testing. Before we jump into employment laws, read on for upcoming AQR Academy events.

AQR Summer Camp

There’s still time to register for AQR Summer Camp! For a limited time, $100 gets you access to the next three AQR Academy Workshops. See below for details:

  • June 7th 3:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. CT: Tips and Tricks for Stress Free Payroll Processing
  • July 25 10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. CT: Do Your Best Work: Take Back Control of Your Calendar
  • August 9 4:00 p.m. — 5:30 p.m. CT: Your Employee Handbook: The What, Why, How and Who

Last but not least, if you feel like you missed out from the previous AQR Academy LIVE event, you’re in luck. AQR Academy LIVE is coming back Fall 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa from September 27 — 29. Simply email info@americanquiltretailer.com with “Add me to the list” in the subject line and we will contact you as soon as registration opens!

Wage and Drug Testing Laws

Employment laws are constantly changing.

This year 21 states and 26 cities changed their minimum-wage rates. This means that the minimum salary an employee can earn to be overtime exempt automatically increased as well. You can check out a handy Minimum Wage Monitor for your location here.

Other pieces to take into consideration include the number of consecutive days an employee can work, break periods, meal breaks, and more. But the most important thing to keep in mind is your employee handbook can help explain why some employees qualify for overtime while others do not.

Drug testing on the other hand is more of a gray area. Medical marijuana is still illegal in 37 states, but until there are federal guidelines, employers are subject to state law.

This week was part two of Employee Handbook obligations. Stay tuned next week where we’ll cover handbook disclaimers.

Inspiration for this post came from “Employee Handbook 2.0: Aligning Your Policies With Employment Laws,” by Melisa Morrison, published in the April 2022 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

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How Weather Affects Sales

weather

Spring has sprung and warm weather has come with it. Have you ever thought about how the weather affects your sales? Keep reading for insight on how the biggest force of nature affects your business.

Bad Weather Means Bad Business

Did you know that customers are three times more likely to complain on a rainy day? Additionally, the weather only has a 15% chance of being the same as the year prior – so it’s difficult to plan precisely.

So what does this mean? When it comes to staffing employees, think of where and when you need help. Foot traffic increases in brick-and-mortar stores during warm weather, so that’s where your staff should be. On the flip side, colder weather means more online sales. This means shipping costs increase and you’ll need employees to fulfill those orders.

Unfortunately, sales will never even out over time, just like the temperature changes year round. That’s why it’s important to have strategies in accordance with the shopping patterns of customers, while also remaining flexible enough to adjust to the weather.

Inspiration for this post came from “Weathering the Weather” published by Jacob Curtis, CPA in the February 2022 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

Next AQR Academy

Before we go, we want to remind you of the next AQR Academy workshop on April 12, 2022 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. CST. The theme is “Jazz Up Your Fabric Displays” where we’ll cover how to get more product noticed and entice customers to spend more time shopping! Register now and you will also receive a copy of Visual Merchandising 101: Making the Most of Your Store to download instantly.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

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AQR Academy Upcoming Events

Upcoming AQR Academy

There’s a lot going on at American Quilt Retailer, so we wanted to set the record straight. Check out the details below for all upcoming AQR Academy events.

Upcoming March AQR Academy Workshop

To kick things off, our next AQR Academy workshop is taking place next Wednesday, March 9 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. CST. Registration costs $45, and the topic is inventory and how to get it right.

Speaking of registration, there’s still time to take advantage of our discounted AQR Academy All Access Membership. You’ll save $120 and get access to all of 2022’s 90 minute workshops plus bonus information not included in the magazine. Registration is open until March 31.

AQR Academy The Buzz – Spring Fling ’22

AQR Academy is hosting an all day event on Saturday, April 9. We’re calling it The Buzz and it’s our Spring Fling kick off!

Can’t attend the whole day? No problem; join live for what you can and have access to recordings after the event. Note door prizes are still available.

AQR Academy Live

Last but not least, we’re hosting our first-ever AQR Academy Live. Register to attend in-person April 19 – 22 in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

Editor of American Quilt Retailer Heidi Kaisand will be joined with three days worth of guests for learning and networking opportunities we haven’t been able to experience for several years.

Head to the event page for details on room reservations, the event schedule, and what meals are included in your registration fee.

If you can’t tell, we’re excited for the world to open up again and we hope you are too!

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

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Livestreaming: Part One

livestreaming

In this next series, we’ll cover everything you need to know about livestreaming. In Part One specifically, we’ll go over what livestreaming is and tips to increase engagement.

What is Livestreaming?

According to Wikipedia, livestreaming is media that is simultaneously recorded and broadcast in real time over the internet. Additionally, 80% of livestream viewers prefer to watch a livestream than read a social media or blog post.

So, why should you do it? Essentially, livestreaming is a great option to connect retailers to shoppers. Multiple social platforms have livestreaming capabilities and the popularity continues to grow. Since livestreams are shown in real time, you can get information out quickly, and the preparation doesn’t take much more than recording a normal video.

Tips to Increase Engagement

Check out these tips to help you increase engagement on your first livestream:

  • Offer a live Q&A: This incentivizes your viewers to come with questions ready and interact throughout the stream.
  • Promote: Promote early to get your followers excited and ready to tune in.
  • Look professional: Investing in a camera mount or tripod will go a long way!
  • Share the replay: Post the livestream on your social for anyone who missed out.
  • Ask for feedback: This is another option for two-sided engagement. Ask if your followers if they can hear you or if they want more information.
  • Send reminders: Create more excitement by posting frequent reminders the day of.
  • Offer a next step: Have a goal for the livestream. This can be to get more followers to your social platforms (or to your store too of course).

And speaking of real time engagement, don’t forget to register for our AQR Academy All Access Membership. By registering before next Tuesday, you can save $120 and have access to an entire year’s worth of networking and educational opportunities.

Inspiration for this post came from “Connect Through Livestreaming” by Sommer Leigh published in the December 2021 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

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Check in on those goals

Goals

Before we jump into today’s blog, we wanted to let you know about an event were throwing next Thursday, February 4th at noon CST.

The first AQR Academy will be a Zoom workshop dedicated to making social media work for you, including Creating Content to Sell and How to Get Your Social Media Moving.

Still not convinced to join? We forgot to mention the workshop will feature internationally sought out content strategist Kristy Honsvick and social media strategist, consultant, and trainer Hollie Clere.

Feel like you’re missing out? You can still purchase the recordings and digital recap from 2020 Academy events.

Now, on to those goals.

Goals, goals, goals

We’re already one month into 2021, which means it’s the perfect time to check in on how your goals are doing.

What was your focus for this year? Reducing expenses? Increasing efficiencies? Improving customer experiences? Whatever it is, know that if you don’t have a metric to measure progress, you’re going to want to find a way how.

As we know, data can be extremely helpful, but don’t get bogged down in having too much of it. Similarly, some employees can be extremely motivated by data. Find a way to publicly post metrics. Of course, you don’t want to make anyone feel bad about their performance, so encourage each employee to hit the same goal each week. If you have a weekly training, schedule time for questions so they can talk to each other about what works (or doesn’t).

Then, check in on the status. If you’re not on track to reach your goal, consider changing your performance (or even altering the goal itself).

Good luck from us friends at AQR! We know you can do it.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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AQR Academy Continued: Social Selling

Social Selling

Miss your chance to attend AQR Academy? We have good news—we’re continuing the series!

Join American Quilt Retailer on November 12 at noon for a Zoom workshop on Social Selling. We’ll cover the ins and outs of selling through social media during a 90 minute class.

Social Selling Workshop

Editor Heidi Kaisand will join a panel of experts for an interactive workshop full of learning and conversation. We’ll help you elevate your online skills to increase sales.

In addition this session will equip you with the resources, solutions, and strategies to optimize social media sales in preparation for the year ahead.

Topics include: What is Social Selling, Benefits of Social Selling, Social Selling Strategy, Social Selling Best Practices and Techniques, and Tricks and Tools.

Help us spread the word; don’t attend alone, and tell your friends! Registration is already open and the event is $25 for subscribers and $45 for non-subscribers.

We also forgot to mention the event will be sponsored by QT Fabrics. Also acting as a contributing sponsor is C&T Publishing. Don’t miss your chance to network with industry experts; invest in your business by attending this workshop today.

AQR Academy

Speaking of AQR Academy, if you missed the original event on October 27 have no fear. You can still get all of the information presented by purchasing the recordings and digital recap of the event.

The fast pace classes include topics covering: Employee Relations, Propelling Your Business Forward in the Digital World, Increasing Profits and Revenue, Inspiration for the Stuff We Sell, and Strategies for Public Relations.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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Register for AQR Academy

AQR Academy

Have you heard the news!? American Quilt Retailer is hosting AQR Academy; a one day virtual event for quilt retailers. Regardless if you have a brick-and-mortar store or are solely online, this event is for you.

Join Editor Heidi Kaisand on Tuesday, October 27 for a day full of fast-paced classes focused on topics needed to be a successful retail owner. Subjects include: employee relations, propelling your business forward in the digital world, increasing profits and revenue, inspiration for the stuff we sell, and strategies for public relations.

In addition, the event will also include opportunities for virtual networking with industry professionals. We all know this year has been unpredictable; tune in for tips and strategies as we enter 2021.

Academy Pricing

Registration for AQR Academy opened yesterday. Early bird registration prices (if you register before October 6) come in at $75 for subscribers and $155 for non-subscribers. After that, prices rise to $95 for subscribers and $195 for non-subscribers. (In other words, become a subscriber today to take advantage of the lower rates!)

And we forgot to mention; AQR will mail a swag back to the first 200 participants! Next week we’ll highlight some of the goodies that may be included during our Virtual Blue Bag series. What are you waiting for, sign up for AQR Academy today.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.