Brought to you by the Council of State Retail Associations
Looking for some inspiration? A solution to a nagging problem? The Retail Council’s Retail University Webinar Series is back in 2013 with fresh webinars on pertinent topics. Our free events have been designed with retailers in mind to give you a refresher on core business principles while also providing practical tips and new ideas you can implement in your store.
New this year, webinars will be hosted twice the same day so you can select the time that works best for you: Webinar 1 begins at 8:30 a.m. OR Webinar 2 begins at 11:30 a.m.
Log in to the Members-Only Section to view recordings of past webinars.
Click on a webinar for more information:
An intermediate level seminar on mobile and social marketing
Thursday, June 27
Presented by Jeff Greer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Easyfish Marketing
There are close to 110 million smartphone users in the United States alone. Many shoppers are beginning to use their mobile devices for making in-store retail pricing comparisons. This trend called “show-rooming” is a legitimate threat to independent brick and mortar retailers. How can you turn this problem into an opportunity?
In this webinar, you will learn how to harness the power of social and mobile marketing for your store. You will get expert advice on how to drive new business and increase customer loyalty by properly using these two very important channels.
In addition you will learn:
- Tips and techniques on low cost, high impact ways to combat show-rooming and win the mobile connected shopper
- How to use mobile coupons to drive foot traffic
- Facebook Coupons: What are they and how to use them?
- The smart way to use QR Codes to help you drive sales
Jeff Greer is a serial Internet technologies entrepreneur. He currently is the founder and CEO of Easyfish Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Hickory, N.C. Jeff has built and sold four different Internet related businesses, including the largest privately held Internet Service Provider in the state of North Carolina. He has been an active Internet marketer since 1995. His areas of expertise include search engine marketing, mobile marketing and social media marketing. Jeff resides in Blowing Rock, N.C. with his wife, Kathy, and their twin sons, Cole and Drew.
Q. How long will each webinar last?
A. Each speaker will spend 30-45 minutes presenting on his/her topic. Speakers will then take questions from the audience via computer. We anticipate each event will last approximately one hour.
Q. How do I access the webinar the morning of the event?
A. When you register for the webinar you will receive an email confirmation that will provide directions to access the event. You will also receive email reminders as the event approaches and these provide the same directions to access the presentation and audio. Please note you will need both a computer with Internet access and a telephone to see and hear the webinar.
Q. Do I need to be at a computer to participate? Can’t I just listen to the webinar by phone?
A. Yes, you can listen by phone, but the speaker may reference his/her presentation from time to time (which you won’t be able to see). You also won’t have the opportunity to ask questions. You will receive instructions on how to access the event by computer and/or phone after you register.
Q. What if I have a conflict or emergency and can’t make a webinar?
A. Don’t worry, each event will be recorded. Simply contact our office to receive complimentary access to it.
Q. Are these webinars truly free?
A. Yes! We offer these seminars as a benefit of membership in the Retail Council. Attend one or all events – they are free.
Q. Who is sponsoring these webinars?
A. The Retail Council is working in conjunction with the Council of State Retail Associations (CSRA) to bring these events to fruition. CSRA represents state retail associations all over the country. By working together the associations are able to provide great speakers discussing relevant topics at an affordable cost. You can anticipate retailers from nearly every state will participate in these events.
Q. Who do I call if I have questions?
A. Just call our office at (800) 442-3589 or send an email to rflach@retailcouncilnys.com.
Log in to the Members-Only Section to view recordings of these and other past webinars. View the 2012 Retail University webinar series archive.
Shoplifting awareness – a practical and easy guide for preventing loss for small retailers
Presented by Kevin M. Plante, Owner and President, KMP Security Consulting
Shoplifting – it’s something retailers of all sizes have experienced. Larger retailers have resources and entire departments to help them. But what can a small retailer do? Lots of things! Our loss prevention expert has worked for more than twenty years in the field and has lots of tips for us. From customer service to setting up your store so it’s “anti-shoplifting,” this webinar will give you practical tips to help. Can shopper behavior be an indicator of theft? What should you do and who can help? Don’t miss this webinar – sign up today!
Kevin M. Plante began his loss prevention and security career as a pick up window checker with a national retailer in 1989 while he was working toward his B.A. degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Lowell in Lowell, M.A. Over the course of the past 20+ years, Plante has worked for a number of national retailers in a myriad of positions within loss prevention, most recently in an executive level position within the corporate structure of one of the premier retailers in the U.S. Plante has also been involved with the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Loss Prevention Committee since 2002, and has been the Chairman of the Committee since 2004.
He is a leader in the loss prevention industry and has been a guest speaker at The 2012 National Retail Federation’s Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO, the 2009 Retail Industry Leaders Association’s annual Loss Prevention Conference and Nichols College (2011 and 2012), Dudley campus. Plante was honored by having an article he authored on biometric access control published as the feature piece in Loss Prevention Magazine in the spring of 2010.
In his spare time, Plante volunteers for New Hope, Inc., an organization that assists survivors of sexual and domestic abuse in central Massachusetts. Plante is owner of KMP Security Consulting, a security / investigations / loss prevention consulting firm. Plante resides in Central Massachusetts and is a proud parent of a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
Consumers are mobile and social. Are you keeping up?
Presented by Jeff Greer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Easyfish Marketing
There are close to 110 million smartphone users in the United States alone and most consumers have their device within two feet of their person 24/7. Consumers are using their smartphones right now to read reviews of local businesses, check-in to a local business, update their Facebook status, get directions and receive instant coupons, promotions and special deals. Do you have a mobile and social media marketing strategy for your business?
In this webinar, you will learn to cut through all the hype and gain practical tips and techniques on how to use mobile and social channels to grow your business. Get answers to the following:
- How can you effectively use mobile devices to market your business?
- Why is social and mobile marketing the most direct and cost-effective way to promote and market your business?
- How do you advertise your business on Facebook?
- How can you promote a positive online reputation and encourage customers to leave you rave reviews online?
Jeff Greer is a serial Internet technologies entrepreneur. He currently is the founder and CEO of Easyfish Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Hickory, N.C. Jeff has built and sold four different Internet related businesses, including the largest privately held Internet Service Provider in the state of North Carolina. He has been an active Internet marketer since 1995. His areas of expertise include search engine marketing, mobile marketing and social media marketing. Jeff resides in Blowing Rock, N.C. with his wife, Kathy, and their twin sons, Cole and Drew.
What retailers must know about healthcare reform (as of 3/2013)
Presented by Randal Limbeck, Partner, Omaha, NE Office, Jackson Lewis LLP
Major components of the Affordable Care Act are scheduled to take effect in 2013. This webinar will cover issues every employer must know about the ACA including:
- Who is covered
- Important dates
- Individual and employer mandates
- What are “grandfathered” plans
- Minimum essential coverage
- Reporting requirements
- Notice to employees
- Waiting periods
- Penalties
- Nondiscrimination rules
- Definitions of some of the terminology
- What is still up in the air
Randal Limbeck is a Partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, which is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law with over 650 attorneys practicing in 47 cities.
Mr. Limbeck has spent more than 25 years specializing in representation of clients in the areas of ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation. Mr. Limbeck has represented clients in a broad range of industries and size, including service industries, healthcare, government, technology, manufacturing, agribusiness, information services, banking and professional practices. Mr. Limbeck’s employee benefits and executive compensation clients include large, publicly-traded companies (including Valmont Industries, Inc.) and well-known private companies (including Mutual of Omaha, The Nebraska Medical Center, First National of Nebraska, Inc., Louis Dreyfus Corporation, and Physicians Mutual Insurance Company), and a wide range of professional service organizations.
Mr. Limbeck’s practice involves design, document drafting, employee communications, litigation and assisting clients in dealings with the IRS and Department of Labor.
Best Lawyers in America has included Mr. Limbeck for more than 15 years and named him Omaha’s 2011 Best Employee Benefit Lawyer. He is also listed in the Great Plains Super Lawyers and the Chambers USA as a Leader in his Field. Mr. Limbeck is “AV” rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
Mr. Limbeck is admitted to practice in Nebraska and before the U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska. He received his B.S./B.A., cum laude, from Creighton University in 1976, and his J.D., cum laude, from Creighton University in 1978. Mr. Limbeck is also a certified public accountant (inactive).