Education

Materials related to five of this year's ABA Day of Education sessions at BookExpo America 2008 are currently available to all ABA member booksellers via downloadable PDFs on BookWeb: "Building and Rewarding Customer Loyalty," "Green Retailing," "Creating Killer Events," "

For booksellers, becoming greener means incorporating environmentally friendly practices in day-to-day operations, as well as meeting the needs of a growing number of consumers looking for reliable information on everything from the science of global warming to public policies and personal practices that can help make the world a better place to live.

For prospective booksellers who may be daunted by the idea of creating a business plan, learning what resources are available to help is a good first step.

For the approximately 500 booksellers who attended the American Booksellers Association's 2008 Winter Institute, there were 24 education sessions to pick from, on topics ranging from developing a business plan to better understanding customer behavior and reaching today's "digital natives."

Hiring and retaining smart, well-read, personable booksellers is one key to staying competitive in the marketplace. While the ability to pay high salaries and offer bonuses and perks can go a long way toward attracting and keeping qualified employees, that's not the only solution to the compensation conundrum. By thinking creatively, and strategically, about the intangible benefits of working in a bookstore, store owners and managers can find ways to show employees they are valued, and that the bookstore is a great place to work, now and for years to come.

The American Booksellers Association has posted online the video vignettes featured in its popular education session "Handselling: Customer Service With Results." The video shorts dramatize 10 potential customer service scenarios to show the best and worst practices in five key areas.

The 2007 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) Fall Trade Show will be held from Wednesday, September 19, through Friday, September 21, in Bellevue, Washington, at the Meydenbauer Center.

The American Booksellers Association will be presenting education sessions as part of the programming at each of the eight regional booksellers association fall trade shows and at the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association sales conference. Here is a first look at what's planned. In the coming weeks, BTW will feature previews of the shows, with details about the time, place, and presenters for each of the association's programs, as well as information about the ABA presence on the trade show floors and opportunities for ABA members to win prizes.

The following article was adapted from the seminar "How to Do Customer Surveys: A Case Study," presented by the American Booksellers Association's Director of Education and of BookSense.com, Len Vlahos, at the 2007 Winter Institute.

Chuck and Dee Robinson of Village Books in Bellingham, Washington, were the presenters of the American Booksellers Association's program on "Staff Development" at the Day of Education at Hotel ABA on Thursday, May 31. During the well-attended session, which was repeated, the Robinsons outlined the basics of hiring, training, and motivating staff, including job application forms, interview questions, low-cost staff incentives, and more.