Award-winning Retail Consultant to Advise Cambridge Area Businesses
March 18, 2010
Cambridge, Maryland
Top-flight retail companies such as Macy’s, Filene’s, and Lord & Taylor have hired business coach and consultant Margie Johnson to help them boost profitability and performance. On March 30, Ms. Johnson’s expertise will be available to local businesses free of charge during a 90-minute training presentation in downtown Cambridge.
The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development’s Main Street Maryland program, which assists and advises the state’s 23 designated Main Street communities on their downtown economic revitalization efforts, is presenting the training. The local nonprofit Cambridge Main Street submitted a successful application to serve as host of the event.
Ms. Johnson’s training, titled “Accentuate the Positive! Tips & Tactics for Growing Your Business in 2010.” is designed for business owners, managers, and front-line staffers in retail, service, and hospitality businesses. She will focus on practical, achievable techniques to help small businesses thrive in the current economic climate. Among the topics she plans to address are:
• Visual merchandising techniques that boost sales and increase store productivity
• Tips on low-budget, high-impact marketing strategies
• Creating brand loyalty with today’s fickle customers
• How to gain more “share” of each customer’s spending
• Key factors that will shape the retail market in 2010
In addition to working with large retail firms, Ms. Johnson has extensive experience working with independent downtown retail and hospitality businesses. Statewide Main Street programs in Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin have all employed her to advise and assist businesses operating in downtown environments.
“We’re very excited to offer this caliber of advice to small businesses,” said Tim Murphy, Assistant State Coordinator for Main Street Maryland. “Margie gets rave reviews for the work she does helping businesses boost sales and improve profitability, and we know that the success of small businesses is critical to strengthening the economic potential of our downtowns and boosting Maryland’s economy.”
“Accentuate the Positive!” is scheduled for 8:30-10 am on Tuesday, March 30 at the City Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street, in Cambridge. The training is free, but registration is required. Visit www.neighborhoodrevitalization.org and click on “Training” to register. Additional information is available at office@cambridgemainstreet.com.
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