Your business is making money
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are paying your bills on time - especially invoices with discounts
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your vendors and suppliers are shipping you with terms
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are current with your taxes, permits, and licenses
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your business is trending up overall since you opened
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your business is trending up compared to last year
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You reconcile your checking accounts
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are producing regular, consistently formatted statements
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You operate with a rolling cash flow 12-18 months out
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your receivables are current
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Shrinkage (bad debt, interal and external loss) is less than 2% of gross revenue
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
There is a sales plan in place
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your lease is competitive
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your payroll is an acceptable percentage of sales
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
A basic ratio analysis corresponds favorably to industry benchmarks
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You match packing slips with purchase orders with invoices and check quality of goods
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your system allows for orderly register 'closings' at C.O.B.
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You make bank deposits daily
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You keep UPS or postage records for mailed merchandise
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have policies for damaged or spoiled supplies received from vendors
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You record weather on your daily business summary report
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You anticipate business needs and work loads based on weather predictions and/or seasonal variations
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You periodically 'drop-in' on your day off to see if your management is as good as it should be when you are not there
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
There is adequate inventory to support the sales plan
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Inventory turns maximize investment dollars
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You follow a purchase plan or open-to-buy
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You 'know' your inventory including all backstock
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Markdowns are done in a timely and well-promoted fashion
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You take advantage of manufacturer's stock programs and special order capabilities
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You inquire if certain vendors will hold key items specifically for you in their stock
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are continously looking for new merchandise that would add daily to your marginal sales team even if the margins are a bit lower than you would like
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Merchandise is clean
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Merchandise is well displayed, grouped, and accessible
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Lighting is adequate (or even enhancing)
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Merchandise is priced, well marked, and/or clearly signed
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The store looks full and 'ready for business'
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Merchandise is maintained throughout the day
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You re-merchandised on a regular schedule
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The front/entrance of your location is clean and in good condition
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Windows are clean
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
All light bulbs are working and interior is well lit
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Window displays and signage are effective and in order
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Windows are changed on a regular schedule
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The floor is clean
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Signage is effecitve and informative
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The music is appropriate
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The shop opens daily 'ready for business' regardless of your presence
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Staff is stable and turnover manageable
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Employees clearly understand performance standards and friendly customer service
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Operational policy and procedures are clearly stated
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Employee discounts or purchase program are clearly defined
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Employees have an understanding of product knowledge, selling techniques, and use of downtime
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Training is provided
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Employees are properly groomed and attired
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
The compensation system incentivizes behavior
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
All behavior receives appropriate feedback, redirection, or reinforcement
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You solicit and listen to employees' ideas and suggestions
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You can describe your customer in detail in two or three sentences
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Merchandising policy, promotional, marketing, or replacement decisions are made from a customer service perspective
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your customers are greeted when they enter your shop
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Your employees answer the phone in a prescribed manner
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Customers are thanked when they spend money with you
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have had your store 'secret shopped'
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have identified the most effective means of communicating with your customer
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You capture customer information for mailing or direct contact
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You contact customers on a regular basis
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have a marketing plan and a budget
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You patronize the competition
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are familiar with competitors' marketing, pricing, and policy practices
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You are beating the competition
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You consider having 'loss leaders' that are readily reorderable and might enhance customer loyalty
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You understand where else a customer might spend the dollars that would be spent in your shop
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Loss Prevention and Safety
Shop and register keys are in management's possession at all times
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Customer entry chimes or bell works
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Stockroom and office doors are closed and secure
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Rear entrances are locked
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You conduct regular inventory plus 'spot check' inventory on costly goods
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Emergency numbers are clearly posted in front and rear of shop
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Fire extinguisher and first aid kit are in good order
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Exits clear, exit signs and emergency lights are working
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
Dressing rooms and bathrooms are monitored by staff
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You employ a computerized Point of Sale system that provides effective data and control
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
IT integrates to accounting and inventory systems
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
IT captures customer information
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have a website
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick
You have done a 'Technology Assessment' to determine appropriate technology applications and cost/benefit for your business
N/A
Healthy
OK
Sick