Here is one person’s opinion about pricing. Do you know what MAP pricing is? How do you decide to price items? Have you given much thought to how discounting affects your business and the industry as a whole? Are pricing standards a good thing or not? You be the judge.
Utsuri are a popular variety of koi. One of the lesser known versions is the Ki Utsuri, and its metallic cousin, the Kin Ki Utsuri. While the well known and loved Shiro Utsuri dominates sales of the variety, with its bold black and white features. There are also Ki (yellow) and Hi (red/orange) Utsuri. Get the whole story about Ki Utsuri in this issue.
Video can be a very powerful tool for businesses of any size, but YouTube ‘s free-to-use model, ease of use and mass market audience means it’s a great channel for small businesses. Like any tool, in order to get the most of it, it needs to be used well. Here are the dos and don’ts of using YouTube from a behind-the-scenes perspective.
Many pond builders and retail koi store owners are in the business because they truly enjoy it. But if you don’t enjoy what you are doing, or maybe would like to figure out what you would like to do, this is a must read for you. Ten steps to finding your passion. Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. (Confucius)
Algae is one of the most often heard problems customers face with their ponds. Learn what can cause algae and some suggestions on how to clear up the problem. The key to algae control is understanding the root of the cause specific to that pond. If you understand the cause then you can recommend the products to meet the need.
No matter the size of your company, these tips will help you improve your business. Marketing expert, Pam Greiner, will show you how an hour here, an hour there can make a big difference. Take a look at seven different areas, that if you spend just a small amount of time on – will increase your sales and much more.
*Thank you to Ecological Labs, Eastern Nishikigoi, Industrial Test Systems, Mars FishCare, and Tetra Pond for providing the photos. * Those of us in the business understand that in spite of our best efforts a customer’s pond paradise may turn into a nightmare if they do not perform some basic maintenance tasks. To make sure …
(Excerpt from the book KOISHI)
An in-depth interview with the creator of the koi variety Kikokuryu, Mr. Haruo Aoki. Learn how his childhood koi experience inspired him, and about the creation of a new koi variety. This is a sample chapter from the new book KOISHI.
Have you had a customer say, I wonder if they come in blue? Well, the varieties Asagi and Shusui both have blue on their bodies. They are unique, one with a beautiful netting pattern and one with “armor” scales down its back. Start here to learn how to recognize their qualities and how to sell them.
Does pipe size make a difference in Pump performance? Yes, learn from 25-year water feature expert. Easy to follow Flow Rate diagrams. See how you may be undersizing the pipe/tubing sizes in your installations. Help your clients by providing well-optimized pond systems that get the most out of every pump.
