This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert August 2, 2006 Retail Resurgence Over the past decade, we have seen false and failed starts in online retailing. The market wasn’t ready. The technology wasn’t ready. Forward-looking retail entrepreneurs were too far ahead of their time and lost a lot of money. The Internet retail movement lost momentum, as well. Major retailers, as well as thousands of smaller enterprises, have continued to play in the world of electronic relationships, while protecting themselves with a sustaining brick-and-mortar presence. The feeling has been that Internet retail will explode someday; it’s just a matter of time. Many retailers have struggled to maintain a presence on the web so they would be ready when that glorious time finally arrived. The dawning of substantial retail business on the Internet may not be far away. Retailers are learning some techniques that are increasing customer comfort—and sales. Internet sales are expected to increase significantly in 2007---about 20 percent over 2006. Analysts project online sales of US$211 billion in 2006, with an augmentation beyond $250 billion next year. What’s the secret? Surprise! It’s the human touch. Sales growth is attributed in large part to the increase in interactive retail websites. These sales-oriented websites include a personal touch orientation toward customers. Questions are answered instantly using online chats. Product information is forthcoming through prompt, thorough, and friendly interchanges from well-trained customer service associates who know their stores, their merchandise, pricing, delivery, and techniques to assure customers are always happy and satisfied. The resistance to Internet purchasing is gently being overcome by the courteous professionalism of customer advocates. Even though they can’t touch, see, and feel the merchandise, they trust the learning and reassurance that flows through their screen. As interactivity continues to have a positive impact on the field, there will be an increased demand for more knowledgeable, outgoing, and computer-literate retail clerks. This increase in demand comes at a time when brick-and-mortar retailers are having difficulty finding retail clerks to engage in one-on-one conversations with their customers in traditional stores. Opportunities are plentiful in online retail---for those who prepare with education, training, and experience---and they may live anywhere. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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