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In this issue... | |
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TOP STORY | |
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Retail Seminars at
ORWM
to Focus on Staff Training & Development
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The field
of sales has seen some dramatic and far-reaching changes in today's business environment.
Today's salesperson, as well as today's buyer, is better educated; more informed
and has more options than ever before.
To help develop the salesperson for the future,
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will present a two part seminar series at Outdoor
Retailer Winter Market to provide retailers with the tools to better train and
educate staff to realize increased sales.
 On Wednesday, January 23, Dan Mann from The Mann Group will present Replace
"Training" With "Development" – "101." Dan will discuss streamlined
approaches to store training (development), tactics for the trainer, the understanding
of why you are the best person to teach and using "Experiential Learning" as a method.
"Sales
Development is significantly different from sales training. In training, knowledge
is transferred from one person to another," offers Dan, "Development occurs only
when knowledge is internalized, creating a behavioral change that leads to the
expression of positive, results-oriented skills."
Mann will continue the seminar series on Thursday,
January 24, 2007 with How "Development" Works – "201."
In this second seminar, Dan will explain how to incorporate the three key elements
of development with your staff: demonstration, practice sessions, and feedback.
During this session, attendees will see these techniques demonstrated and have
the opportunity to participate themselves.
The Mann Group (TMG, Inc.) specializes in growing retail through
sales strategy, business planning, staff development, and profitability-based
solutions. The firm has a special interest in growing outdoor retailers to meet
the changing marketplace. Dan Mann has over 25 years experience in retail and
has an uncanny sense of how to manage the retail environment for fun and profit.
His expertise includes sales training, strategic planning, and employee development.
Dan works with retailers internationally to drive top line sales and bottom line profit.
"This development
and training curriculum meets the growing business needs and requests of outdoor
specialty retailers across the country," said Ann Obenchain, vice president of
member services for OIA. "The program is designed to give retailer store owners,
managers, and staff tools to improve their business operations and market competitiveness."
The Schedule
Wednesday,
January 23, 2007, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Replace "Training" With "Development"
– "101"
Downtown Marriott
Thursday, January 24, 2007, 12:00 – 1:00
pm
How "Development" Works – "201"
Downtown Marriott
Sponsored by:
Online Registration Info
Please click here for more information about the OIA Retailer Seminars
at ORWM and to register for the event.
OIA has recently implemented a new database
system with individual user id's and passwords to allow for improved and
customized customer service. One of our new services is our online Member Center,
created to allow members to update company information, sign up for OIA communications,
register for an event, and access membership benefits. Currently, the new database
allows for one registration per person. We greatly appreciate your help in taking
the time to register using this new format and apologize for the inconvenience. |
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EVENTS | |
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OIA Business to Business (B2B) Working
Group
Gathers at ORWM
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The financial benefits of moving information
between business partners using computer and Internet technology can be huge.
However, when potential business partners choose different technologies or standards
for communication, the costs of creating and supporting multiple methods and protocols
quickly becomes prohibitive. To solve this problem, Outdoor Industry Association
(OIA) member manufacturers and retailers volunteered their time to explore
the potential of the electronic exchange of key business documents using industry-wide standards.
The result
has been the creation of industry standards for the electronic exchange of documents
such as purchase orders, vendor catalogs, available-to-sell reports, and others.
Due to its wide availability, affordability and flexibility, the OIA B2B work
group has chosen XML as a document framework. Using XML and the industry standard,
vendor catalogs, purchase orders, and purchase order change requests can be shared
and used by all participants in the outdoor industry.
Over the past five years, the OIA B2B working
group has successfully developed and promoted a technical communications standard
that allows for more efficient manufacture to retailer business through the use
of XML. Today, the second version of the OIA XML B2B Specification is available
to outdoor industry businesses and is being used by more than 46 retailers and
17 manufacturers. Snowsports and action sports businesses have also seen the benefits
of using the standard – including improved ordering capabilities, a lessened need
for double entry, and greater access to vendor inventories. Find out how your
business can benefit from the OIA B2B Standards, how to get your systems ready,
and how to connect with other businesses that are using the Standard.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
OIA B2B Working
Group Meeting
7:30 – 9:00 am
Downtown Marriott
Online registration is recommended.
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OUTDOOR RETAILER | |
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Retailers:
Last Chance for FREE ORWM Registration
Save time and money! |
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 Avoid onsite registration and will call lines. Register
before December 28, 2007 to ensure you will receive your ORWM badges in the mail.
Badges for registrations received after the December 28th deadline will be held
for onsite pick up, and a processing fee will be charged as outlined below:
- $30 per person for qualified buyers
- $100 per person for distributors
- $450 per person for all non-buyer categories:
manufacturers, brands and industry affiliates
Register now online and save money!
What does my registration include? Admittance
to the Backcountry Base Camp (BBC), January 22, 2008 and the Outdoor Retailer
Winter Market, January 23-26, 2008. This includes all seminars and official Outdoor
Retailer events. |
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RESEARCH | |
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Internet
Sales Continue To Increase
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According to Outdoor Industry Association's
(OIA) Topline Report, the Outdoor Internet channel increased 16% in units and
17% in dollars comparing October 2006 to October 2007. Sales for the rolling
year (November 2006 to October 2007 versus the prior rolling year) were up 18%
in dollars and 14% in units with average selling prices up 4%.
On a rolling year
basis, sales in the Outdoor Internet channel now account for 16.56% of the outdoor
industry compared to 15% for the previous rolling year. If the gap between the
growth rate from the Outdoor Internet channel and the brick-and-mortar channels
persists, then a full quarter of all Outdoor sales would be online by in five to ten years.
Outdoor apparel
increased 15% in units and 19% in dollars from October 2006 to October 2007. Apparel
sales in brick-and-mortar channels were relatively weak in October. While outerwear
lost 33% in October in the Outdoor Specialty channel, outerwear sales increased
19% in Outdoor Internet. Equipment accessories, footwear, and sportswear were
all strong performers in Outdoor Internet in October, with sales gains of 21%,
13%, and 24% respectively. |
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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | |
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Congress Funds Public Lands Agencies
in Last Minute Spending Bill
National Park Service is the big winner
while fire costs continue to dominate Forest Service budget |
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Congress passed a scaled back spending bill this
week which includes money to hire new rangers at the National Park Service and
funds to jump-start the National Park Service Centennial Initiative.
The National Park Service (NPS) was the big winner
as the bill includes a $122 million dollar increase for NPS operations which will
allow the hiring of several hundred seasonal rangers. The bill also includes $25
million to allow for initial funding of signature park projects envisioned under
President Bush's 10-year National Park Service Centennial Challenge. The $25 million
in government dollars must be matched 50-50 by the private sector.
The stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) remains
at minimal levels with $25 million set aside for the program for FY2008. Stateside
LWCF is the government's main program for funding close-to-home trails and parks
and has been targeted for elimination by the Bush Administration but kept alive
by congressional advocates of the program.
Another OIA priority, the National Landscape Conservation System, will
receive $53.2 million in fiscal 2008, which is $5 million more than the White
House requested but $15 million less than OIA's request.
The system consists of major Bureau of Land Management
conservation areas in 12 western states, including 15 national monuments, 13 national
conservation areas, 36 wild and scenic rivers, 148 wilderness areas and 4,264
miles of national trails. These special lands account for one-third of BLM's total
recreation use.
Fire costs continue to dominate the
Forest Service budget. In FY2008, fire costs are expected to absorb 43 percent
of the Forest Service's overall budget. As a comparison, fire costs were 13 percent
of the Forest Service budget in 1991.
Finally,
the spending bill includes a new $4,000 fee for each application for a permit
to drill oil and gas wells on public lands. This new fee is predicted to raise
$25.5 million annually and is supposed to allow increased spending on restoration
efforts to mitigate the heavy energy development in the Rocky Mountain region.
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Holiday
in the National Parks |
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"There is nothing so American
as our national parks."
– Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1936
Our nation
is ripe with beautiful natural treasures, and the White House has designated this
holiday season to celebrate the abundant blessings found in the National Park
system. From breathtaking landscapes to important historical sites, generations
have marveled at the magnificent scenery and cherished memories of visits to these special places.
This year,
the White House Executive Residence staff, along with several artists and volunteers
from across the country, has made possible the White House Christmas decorations.
Photography and paintings adorn the walls of the President's home, and and to
view the hand painted national park ornaments adorn the national tree, transporting
visitors on a vivid trip through the national parks, intertwined with White House history.
President
Bush has signed an initiative investing over a billion dollars in to parks over
the next decade. The funding will allow for improvements in our nationals parks
and the ability to bring in more park rangers.
For more information, please visit the
White House or National Park Service websites. |
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | |
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Great
Holiday Gifts at the OIA Wireless Center
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 Skip the crowded parking lots and long lines
at the mall and shop online at the OIA Wireless Center for everyone on your holiday gift list. Choose
from a huge selection of wireless carrier plans, accessories and the very latest
cell phones at substantial savings – up to $100 on some phones!
Compare your options
and choose the best value for your family, your friends, or yourself. You'll get
the same great rate from the carrier you select, plus a better phone at a lower
price than you would walking into a retail store! The OIA Wireless Center offers
a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and seven-day full refund guarantee with no restocking
fee. Your order will even be sent FedEx at no charge!
Plus, you'll receive
an OIA Member Exclusive FREE companion airline ticket when you sign up for a new
calling plan – a great stocking stuffer for someone special on your list, or a
well-deserved gift for yourself.
Shop smart at the OIA Wireless Center to give cool gifts, save money and have
more time to enjoy the holidays. |
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