Saunderson was in another Eastern Washington community listening to a retailer groan about business being terrible. He said he'd see what he could find out. I walked over and looked at the store. An elderly lady tried to open the door handle but it was locked. The store's hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed at lunch and on weekends.
Small businesses have to decide if they want to treat it as a hobby or as a business.
If they're truly committed to growing their business, they have to realize with those hours, chances are most of the population won't shop there. It's how every employee interacts with customers in person, over the phone, by letter or fax and by e-mail, according to The Art of Customer Focus a workbook by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development's tourism development division. Have them prepared to answer questions and be your ambassador. Train them well. Make sure you act on the recommendations.