Spring 2020 Strategies

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ready to Win the Future

F or me, 2020 is going to be a year of vision. For starters, I am going to walk my eldest child, my daughter, down the aisle later this fall. This

Contents Ask the Expert 4 Blish-Mize Services 8 Online Traffic 10 Spring Market Preview 14 Featured Products 20 Operations: Social Media 24 Customer Feature 30 Tanco Lumber Customer Feature 36 Glenwood Farm Equipment Hardware House 41 News 42 On the Cover John and Carla Stauffer, owners of Tanco Lumber in Branson West, Missouri.

is a vision I’ve had in my head for a few years now, and one that brings our family joy and happiness. Another vision is that of growth for our company and for you, our retail partners. As humans, we all tend to worry about the future and try to predict what is next. Although we don’t have a crystal ball, Blish-Mize does offer some of the best tools in the business to set our customers up for success. First and foremost, our Buying Markets are the perfect opportunity for our company to connect with our customers, share goals and insights—and learn more about each business and how we can help drive additional sales through your doors. One great prediction tool is our Market SmartBook, featured on Page 16. It works as an ordering adviser or guide book, showing how much of an item you have purchased from us in the last year, and helps you determine how much you should purchase at the Market to get the best pricing and savings. In this issue, we also tackle a subject that is both challenging and important to explore for the future of your business: succession planning. We interviewed expert Gary Pittsford on the best ways to protect your future and the future of your family and business. Our cover retailer, Tanco Lumber, saw the need for better business practices to survive in this industry. They focused on customer service and providing a personalized experience to ensure they retained customers for the long term. It is a great strategy and one we can relate to. Read the story starting on Page 30. Another retailer, Glenwood Farm Equipment, realized that they would need to become a retail destination to set themselves up for future success. So, they did it! Read on Page 36 how they added products and modified prices with our Retail Programs to drive traffic from far and wide. Next year, we will celebrate 150 years in business. That’s another vision I’ve had for a while now. I can imagine my predecessors being proud of how far this family business has come in the last 150 years. One of the things that has kept us in business is our commitment to our customers—our vision for your success. I wish you a profitable spring and hope to see you at our Buying Market!

Advertising Information Hardlines Strategies is published twice every year by Blish-Mize. Copyright 2020. For advertising rates and deadlines, please contact:

Blish Connor Blish-Mize

Jonathan D. Mize CEO and President

223 S. Fifth St., Box 249 Atchison, Kansas 66002 Toll free: (800) 995-0525 (913) 367-1250

(913) 375-2505 (cell) (913) 367-0667 (fax) e-mail: blish.connor@blishmize.com

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