Jim is an internationally known consultant, keynote speaker, trainer and author and one of North America's leading experts on retail technology, retail selling and service, marketing, retail merchandising and operations, technology and consumer trends.
Jim started his retail career in 1964 in a men’s wear store in Chicago. He was appointed Store Manager in 1971. From 1972 to 1974 he was night Manager of the Sheraton Chicago Hotel in downtown Chicago. From 1975 to 1981 he was employed by Sears Canada where he started in Retail Management in Richmond Hill, Ontario and moved to the Toronto Catalogue Center in an operating position. He was promoted to Buyer, Jeanswear and was responsible for buying and marketing for 68 retail and 958 catalogue stores across Canada. In 1981 he left Sears to become National Sales Training Manager for Levi Strauss Canada. During his time with Levi Strauss he developed one of the most advanced Sales Training Programs in the industry, in addition to introducing a Just-in-Time inventory system to Levi Strauss factories. From 1985 to 1988 he was Executive Vice President of Gilmore’s Department stores in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He repositioned a 106-year-old chain in a highly competitive retail environment. He has taught at Laurier University and Ryerson University in Canada and the International Academy of Fashion Merchandising and Design in Chicago.
Jim is a frequent speaker for the National Retail Federation in Washington DC and the Retail Council of Canada on Technology, Inventory Control, Negotiation Techniques and Store Management, as well as the International Council of Shopping Centers. He has produced six video tapes on Retail Inventory Control as well as authored the definitive retail selling manual titled "Retail Selling Ain’t Brain Surgery, It’s Twice As Hard." He has co-authored the "Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business" for Self-Council Press, which was published in 1998. Jim consults with numerous Retailers in the U.S., Canada and internationally. He is a recognized expert in the North American PC market, a Microsoft Developer, and has experience with over twenty major retail system installs and hundreds of POS installs. Jim also studies and evaluates new retail POS, EDI, merchandising systems and relationship marketing software. He was a judge for the Microsoft© Retail Developer Awards in 1996 and 1997 as well as a Judge for CIO Magazine Top 100 in 1996. Jim has presented over 150 technology workshops across the country for the National Retail Federation, Microsoft, IBM and Northern Telecom. As well, Jim lectures and writes for numerous trade and national magazines on technology issues and on the Internet and its use and misuse by retailers and manufacturers. He has appeared on NBC and Fox News.
He graduated from Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois BS, MS in 1971 and Illinois Institute of Technology Ph.D. (abd) in Industrial Psychology and Marketing in 1975.
What Makes Jim Dion Unique
- He draws on a distinguished career in retailing to provide strategic solutions for retailers along with a strong academic background
- He has access to the best brains and most updated technology strategies from extensive consulting activities as well as insider information from some of the largest corporations in the world
- He has worked on various projects in different continents, and thus is sensitive to cultural and global issues. - He consults in North America, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America
- He has worked on "both sides of the desk" and thus fully appreciate the challenges and opportunities companies face
- He writes, speaks and consults from practical "hands-on" experience
- He has a track record of high achievement and steadily increasing success
Presentation Topics
- The Future: Technology, Business & Consumer Trends
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know! Four Trends Reshaping Business
Four trends are emerging that will play havoc with almost any retail business, price transparency, customers as carp, post 911 schizophrenia and technology creep. Learn what these trends mean to retailers and how to prepare your company, people and stores to thrive in this very interesting new world we are living in.
- Dead Man Walking - The Future of Independent Retail?
The number of Independent retailers is declining at an accelerating rate. In almost every category of retail the top three companies represent over 40% of sales! Clearly there is a tremendous amount of consolidation taking place. Some would even argue that in ten years there won't be any independent retailers around. Fact? Fiction? Learn the most likely future of Independent Retailers in this session, it may surprise you!
- The Art of War for Independent Retailers – Lessons from Sun Tzu
Learn what a 3500 year old book on strategy can teach a retailer in 2002. Written by Sun Tzu, a Chinese General, it is a seminal work on strategy. He taught that a victory without battle was the best victory. Learn how his teachings are not only applicable but indispensable for a retailer facing the “enemy” of big box, category killers and discounters.
- Preparing For The Future – The Customer In 2010
Do you remember 1990? It was a little over ten years ago! What will 2010 look like? A fast paced, thought provoking look at projections on the changes that are taking place with our customers - from demographics to life styles - and a review of what innovative companies are doing to ensure a lifelong relationship with an ever-changing customer.
- Surviving and Thriving in a Recession
Yes, we are in a recession, just what the Retail Industry did not need right now. Some businesses will survive this downturn and some will not. Come to this session and learn what you can do right now and over the next few months to ensure that you are not only a survivor but a "thriver". Many businesses come out of a recession stronger and more profitable, learn how to accomplish this very difficult task.
- Lessons From Global Companies – Learn Globally, Apply Locally
Because businesses are increasingly global and they are now demanding that companies supply their services and products wherever the client is located, establishing a global presence for many organizations is not an option anymore. Mergers and acquisitions are two of the most common ways to create a global organization, but joint ventures or "green fields" (building something from the ground up) and strategic alliances are other ways a company can achieve a global presence. Whatever way they do it, are they successful or not? What does it take to make it work outside your borders? Learn about the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations that went global and their perspective on the globalization experience.
- Technology of Tomorrow – What Will Impact Your Future The Most
Have you noticed that today it is tougher than ever to run a business and make money? Are you confused by all the changes that are happening? Does the Internet, EDI, UPC, Category Management, ASN and WAP confuse you? Then, this workshop will bring both insights and understanding of what is happening in your business as you try to compete in the new economy.
- The Twelve Most Common Mistakes In Retail Technology And How To Avoid Them
This workshop has been a hit at every major retail technology show over the past year. One of the greatest fears that retailers have is buying the wrong system for their store, or if they already have a system, not knowing if it is doing them any good. This workshop can save you thousands of dollars and years of inefficiency.
- Making Sense Of Technology – How To Choose The Right Technology For Your Company
Choosing technology is one of the most difficult tasks that face a retailer. This workshop focuses on explaining what has to be done before technology is sourced, how to select the right system, how to implement and convert from the old system. The workshop includes complete needs’ analysis, detailed budget, and vendor assessment forms as well as recommendations on the right systems. This is the updated version of a workshop sponsored by both Microsoft and NRF which has been attended by over 2,000 retailers in over 35 cities in the US and Canada.
- The WWW, Facts And Fiction
With all the hype we hear every day about the Internet, it is difficult if not impossible to know what to believe is working, not working and just plain dangerous. This workshop focuses on the facts and demonstrates in a clear concise manner successes and failures on the web today. Drawing on real life sites and stories it paints a realistic picture of how to use the web to grow a business.
- Effective Internet Strategies (B2A, B2B, B2C & C2B)
Many companies raced to a web site without really stopping to think of why they were creating the site. This workshop takes participants through the different strategies behind each type of site and shows how they can develop an effective internet strategy for internal use (business to associate) and/or for suppliers (business to business) for customers (business to consumer) and the most important and least discussed, giving the customer control (consumer to business).
- Retail Selling & Service, Marketing
30 Things To Do When Business Is Tough To Get
This workshop could also be titled Retail 101. It is a fast paced look at basic tactics that any retailer can use today to increase business. Great presentation for store owners, managers, and sales associates. None of the strategies are about discounting price.
- Sell More Of What You Have To Customers You Already Have
Retailers often complain about the lack of traffic and sales. This workshop identifies the ways that you can increase your business by over 20% with the customers who are already in your store. It is a fun, challenging and proven workshop.
- Customer Service That Works, On Line And Off Line!
There are customer service workshops and there is "Customer Service That Works." This workshop focuses on what customers really expect from a store and how we can motivate our staff to use very simple tools to make sure that it happens every time. Most staff really do want to help customers, what they do not want is to be viewed as a "servant." This workshop teaches store and net staff how to amaze customers and themselves too!
- Increasing Sales Through Professional Selling* (Based on the book "Retail Selling Ain’t Brain Surgery, It’s Twice As Hard")
This workshop on retail selling skills is the perfect primer and a great refresher for anyone working in sales. It expands and illuminates concepts that have been explored for many years but does it with a fresh and more convincing eye, and presents a practical guide for applying them.
- The Customer Is NOT Always Right, Customer Service Strategies For Survival Today
Not too long ago we were taught to believe that the customer was always right. Learn how that may not be the case anymore and believing that it is could lead you to bankruptcy. You will be able to tell "Carp" (customers who are bottom feeders) from your best, most profitable customers. See why most retailers may be spending money protecting the wrong assets.
- The Psychology Of Today’s Consumer
Everyone would agree that people today are not behaving like they were even ten years ago. Not only has the world changed, but people have changed, shopping habits, needs, the way that they assess stores and prices. This workshop focuses on the underlying psychological changes that are making customers behave in very different ways today. This knowledge can give any business a significant competitive advantage in reaching and pleasing this new consumer.
- Negotiation Skills For Buyers, Sellers And Everyone!
Are you getting the best deal for your company/yourself? Do you know what you should never say in a negotiation and what you should always say? This workshop is the "Swiss Army Knife" of negotiation skills, giving participants the highest payback skills to ensure a successful negotiation. Handouts include a list of 83 terms that are negotiable with vendors.
- Retail Merchandising & Operations
Price – It Doesn’t Always Have To Be Lower!
Learn the secrets of pricing that no one ever told you about. Do you often just take the cost price and double it? Do you blindly accept the “Suggested List” price? Do you regularly take mark ups or always mark downs? If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, then you need to attend this workshop! Learn how a 1% increase in price has more effect on your bottom line than any other action you can take.
- Is This Business Really Worth Anything?
Have you wondered what your business is really worth? Are you planning on retiring, or possibly selling your store sometime in the near future? How do you determine what your store is worth if you had to sell it tomorrow? Are there things that you can do now to increase the value of your business when you are ready to sell it? The answers to these questions and more will be yours at this exciting and fun workshop. Fill out a business valuation worksheet and calculate the worth of your business today and learn how to increase that worth over the next three years.
- Five Proven Ways To Make Your Inventory More Profitable
Learn five simple actions that you can take that will dramatically improve the profitability of your inventory. These are simple steps that any store can take right after attending the workshop that will lead to improved performance, better customer service and more cash in the business.
- Simple Open To Buy That Works
A look at a simple open to buy process that can be done at the total store level and will keep the store from over buying and not being able to pay for the merchandise that was purchased. Presented in a simple, easy to understand format with both paper forms and spreadsheet formats.
- Maximizing Inventory Productivity, JIT For Retail
Inventory is often the largest investment a retailer has. It is critical for sales, profit and customer service. Most retailers have far too much inventory. Learn how to not be like the "pig who ate the snake" and get control of your inventory and still provide incredible assortments for your customers.
What Is Really Driving Your Business?
Did you ever want to know the truly important things that you should be aware of to really make sure that your business is on track? This session looks at the twelve most important numbers in the retail business, shows you how to calculate them, how often you should look at them, what good performance looks like, why it is important and what you can do to improve them.
Something no one wants to hear! But it may be the truth. Are you over bought? or under sold? Markdowns are tuition that we pay for an education about our customers. Learn how to pay the lowest possible tuition for the greatest amount of learning! This workshop focuses on proven markdown strategies that maximize profits and maintain customer’s confidence while clearing out all those "ugly babies."
- Beat The Big Box Retailers, Provide Outstanding Customer Service And Use Technology To Your Advantage – (Based on the book "Start And Run A Profitable Retail Business")
A highly valuable workshop that provides clear instructions and knowledgeable advice on how an owner-operated retail business needs to be organized and managed to survive and prosper in today’s highly competitive retail environment. This workshop is like having your own personal retail consulting session.
- People Still Count! Finding, Selecting & MOTIVATING Outstanding Staff
It’s been called a million dollar decision and often that is the case. A "bad" hire can cost a company a tremendous amount in lost productivity. This is a real working session for managers who are responsible for hiring new employees. This session not only provides the "how" to interview prospective candidates, but also comes with a complete interview guide with questions and goals to help the hiring manager make the right decision.
- Turn On Your People, Turn On Your Company
Everyone knows that people are what really make the difference between a good company and a great company. But not many people know the secret of how to really turn employees on and make them cheerleaders and champions. This workshop reveals the secrets of turning people into superstars.
- Managing People Is Never Easy; Leading Them Is Even Harder
One of the most difficult tasks of any manager is to lead their staff. This workshop takes the participants through the best of the leadership theories and helps them to choose one that is right for them and their business.
- Harnessing The Power Of Teams
No company makes it on the performance of one individual. Using the analogy of successful sports teams this workshop focuses on the most successful techniques used to create and manage teams. Teams produce more than individuals working alone and properly motivated and directed a team can add hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional sales and profit.
The most often heard complaint of most people is that they do not have enough time. We all have the same amount of hours in each day, and the same number of days in a week. How is it that some people are more effective in the hours that they have? This is a hands on workshop that delivers very simple and very effective techniques for working smarter and not faster or harder.
The number one killer of most Americans, and far and away the number one cause of burn out and poor performance in too many organizations. Explore the source of stress, learn about both good and bad stress and how to keep it from harming you and at the same time learn how to use it to your advantage.
Testimonials
“I consider you one of those rare individuals with the enviable ability to think 'beyond-the-norm' and your depth of understanding of the small, specialty retailer's world is second to none."
Miller Freeman
“Jim, Thank you for delivering an AWESOME series of Workshops! During my 8 years at Microsoft, this was one of the best training programs delivered to Microsoft reps and partners that I have seen. The workshop was incredibly insightful, interesting, and enjoyable! I hope there is an opportunity to work with you again sometime in the future."
Microsoft
“Jim Dion has developed and delivered training sessions at each level of our general management curriculum over the past several years. Participants consistently rate his sessions very highly. He demonstrates three key attributes that differentiate himself from many other speakers and which contribute to the success of his sessions: his content is always fresh, relevant and expert; his delivery is engaging and energetic; and his knowledge and experience base extend well beyond just retail so he integrates his material into much of the other course content."
Bata Limited
Past Clients
Bell Mobility
Coca Cola
IBM
Maytag
Peoples Drug Mart
The Body Shop
