Alaa Hassan

The Most Passionate eCommerce Coach & Advisor

Personal Skills

11 Reasons Why You Should Love Winter

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winter love

I am actually trying to embrace winter this year but it’s simply not working.  Today, I decided to create a list of things I love about winter.  Isn’t it the most exciting season ever!  I’m sure you agree.

Reasons:

  1. The constant worry that winter is coming is simply exciting
  2. You actually experience the sunrise everyday
  3. There are no outdoor chores except snow removal
  4. Spending time with family at home since it’s too cold outside
  5. You finally get a chance to wear many fashion accessories like a tuque, mittens…
  6. The feeling you get after drinking warm beverages like hot chocolate
  7. You get to try & eat all sorts of soups
  8. You can get fat and still be able to hide it under all the layers of clothes
  9. You don’t feel bad having a dirty car since everyone else has one too
  10. You get to plan a summer vacation!
  11. You get to experience the feeling of Winter is finally over

 

 

Why I'm Addicted to Podcasts!

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I love Podcasts

After switching from Samsung S4 smart phone back to the iPhone, I’ve discovered a new world that has truly changed the way I consume knowledge.  The world of Podcasts!

Before listening to podcasts, I was consuming knowledge through:

  • Books (physical & digital)
  • Online articles/blog posts
  • School
  • Conferences, Seminars, Workshops

But all those channels wouldn’t allow me to multi-task (I could be wrong about the school part because I would be on Facebook while the teacher was lecturing).
With podcasts, I’m able to consume them while..

  • Driving (to work, drop/pickup my daughter from school)
  • Working on the computer
  • At the gym
  • Walking

Being able to consume knowledge while I was driving and working out is simply priceless.  Those 2 activities would require usually 2 hours of my daily routine.  Before I would simply listen to the radio or whatever was playing at the gym and think about a million things.  But now, I’m actually digesting new thoughts, ideas and perspectives from podcasters that have interesting life experiences to learn from.

You should really give it a try…it might actually allow you to discover your true passion.

Here’s a short list of some podcasts I’m currently subscribed to:

 

Why not ASK the person beside you for feedback?

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ask around

I hate meetings especially the ones with no real agenda!  But I don’t mind a meeting where Chicken Wings are being served! :p

People ask me where do I get my marketing ideas?  How do I come up with the latest promotion concept or Giveaway? Do I conduct brainstorming meetings? The answer is simple:

1) I watch what other retailers do……and DO IT BETTER!

2) I ask my own employees for ideas.

Just today, we got a new marketing strategy figured out by simply asking the 3 employees sitting close to me in the office.

Don’t by shy…..ask around and you will be surprised what you will get!

Happy Selling!

It's not easy to get hot water sometimes!

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hot water

Access to hot water is not as easy as you think sometimes.  We are fortunate to live in a country where we don’t usually face such limitations.

Managing an online business has its own challenges.  Everyday, you are faced with a new problem and sometimes, you need to find a quick solution in order to get the job done.

Whenever I face an issue in a department, let’s say customer service, I tend to move my desk in that department and simply observe what is happening.  This is the fastest way to attack any problem.  Go on the field and not from the sidelines.

To resolve problems, I focus on finding an EFFECTIVE solution: Get the job done.  From there, when I have more time, I focus on EFFICIENCY: how resources are used to get the job done.

Don’t let it drag……fix it! Later, make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Do rainy days ruin Innovation at work?

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innovation

I woke up this morning and looked outside…… 🙁

It’s raining, grey skies and just a lousy mood overall.  Yet, it didn’t stop me for forcing myself to go workout and get to the office on time.

Now that’s just me.  What about everyone else? What about my employees? Do they share the same positive attitude?  Those questions made me think about their productivity levels but more specifically about their innovation during rainy days.

On such days, I believe business owners need to put an extra effort in creating the right atmosphere in the office by injecting some laughter and positive energy.  Find ways to make your staff ignore the weather outside by giving them a new challenge or a new task.  Change the routine….that truly helps!

One other tip…..cover the windows so that they don’t know what’s going on outside 🙂