Hello! This is Orcel Saito.
At the end of the year, I'm making a final push to run an online shop for a sukiyaki restaurant.
The goal is 4.5 times the previous year's figure.
However, the key product that was supposed to account for half of sales was unexpectedly unavailable within the first week of sales.
We had been developing this new product in preparation for our end-of-year goal, but it is no longer being supplied, making it hopeless to achieve our goal.
At that time, the customer
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I
"It's going to be difficult to achieve our goals if we can't supply the products that are crucial to our success."
customer
"That may be true, but you're a professional, so I hope you can achieve the goals you've set for yourself."
"In the first place, I wish Saito had said that he wanted us to secure a supply of the products, and that if they didn't sell, he would buy them all."
I
"Well, that's none of my business."
"And it's the first time I've heard of it not being supplied in the first place."
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We had a conversation like this.
I still think it's natural (laughs).
However, both I and my customers were determined to achieve our goal, so we decided to fight back with the products we had and do everything we could, and we worked hard every day to increase sales.
・I will thoroughly review all of my products, although there are only two types, and take various measures to increase access and conversion rates even if only slightly.
・The customer secured staff (5 people!!) to handle deliveries until New Year's Eve, and provided rice from their parents' home as a bonus.
・And above all, I believe that together we can achieve it.
I literally did everything I could.
As a result, we were able to come very close to achieving our goal.
Not only that, but by achieving this despite the lack of a winning product, the possibility of further sales growth next year and beyond has increased significantly.
There were many dramatic events over the past month, but I was able to reaffirm the importance of the motivation to achieve my target numbers, as well as the joy of it.
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I was speaking with a consulting client yesterday, and I felt that this year especially, some people who have been running or managing online shops for a long time have lost their enthusiasm due to the various hardships and experiences they have had up to now.
Anxiety about the uncertain future, pride (or perhaps misconception) that you have already done everything you can, the excuse that you are busy, a lack of motivation to take action, giving up, and getting stuck in a rut.
I am well aware that there are various problems, such as increased competition, suppliers starting online shops, and rising shipping costs and raw material prices, but that does not mean we should reduce our enthusiasm.
Rather, I think it is the shops that are struggling that need to remember when they first started their online store or launched their company and work hard with renewed energy.
We supported many shops this year as well, but it seemed to us that in many cases the cause was a decline in enthusiasm and motivation.
I can't say this clearly to your face.
There was a passage comparing passion to love.
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1. I want to know everything about the person I like (curiosity)
2. I can see and hear the person I like even in a crowded place (interest)
3. Trying your best to get the person you like interested in you (creativity and ingenuity)
4. I'm willing to sacrifice myself (risk my life) to protect the person I love.
5. If it's to meet the person I like, getting up early is not a problem at all. In fact, it makes me happy and excited (positive thinking).
6. Imagine a date or a fun scene with your crush.
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Some people may say that they have no hope for online shops and that their business has no future, so they cannot have these feelings.
But it is a business that has fought alongside me up to this point and continues to support me to this day.
Instead of giving up easily, it might be a good idea to have the attitude of ``I want to go back to those days and give them a second chance.''
We have been running our sukiyaki restaurant for a year now, and although we are competing with only two products, we are generating sales that have other long-running restaurant managers saying they are "envious."
With a year of time and enthusiasm, things will definitely turn around.
Finally, I would like to introduce my favorite "Poem of Youth."
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Youth is not a period of life, it is a state of mind.
It does not refer to rosy faces, crimson lips, or supple limbs, but to strong will, a rich imagination, and burning passion.
Youth is the freshness of life's deep springs.
Youth is the courage to reject cowardice
It means a spirit of adventure that casts aside the feeling of comfort.
Sometimes a 60-year-old has more youth than a 20-year-old.
People don't get old just by getting older.
You only grow old when you lose your ideals.
Time wrinkles the skin, but loss of passion withers the heart.
Anguish, fear, and disappointment drain your energy and turn your mind to rubbish.
(Samuel Ullman, "Poetry of Youth")
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However, we live in an age where it is difficult to increase sales using only the techniques used in online shops up until now.
Not only to increase sales of online shops,
Where do you source the products from?
Where should the product be made?
How to create a marketing strategy
How can I get staff involved?
How to build a network of contacts
How to create a sales network
How can I sell to overseas markets?
・I want to find a partner to start a new business with, but what should I do?
・I have something I want to do, but I don't have any good ideas?
Please feel free to contact us with any concerns you may have.
That is what we are working for.
Thank you very much for your support this year.
We look forward to your continued support next year.
I hope you have a happy new year.
Poem of Youth
