27
April
Our POS software won’t actually help the babies choose, but we’ll definitely make the toy store shopping experience easier for their parents | #local #retail #toys #smallbiz #smallbusiness #tower | www.towersystems.com.au
26
April
Keeping customer’s pets happy is easy when your POS system runs as smoothly as the Tower Systems software does | #retail #local #tower #sales #dogs #pets | www.towersystems.com.au
25
April
Our offices today are closed in respect for Anzac Day. Our after hours and escalation numbers are available for urgent matters.
24
April
Tower Systems offers a direct integration between the xero cloud based accounting application and its smart POS software.
Using our xero link, retailers can be sure they will:
We know this because we see it every day, in retail businesses we own ourselves.
The Tower Systems POS software Xero link helps small business retailers cut costs. It does this in a range of practical ways that small business retailers can leverage without having to spend more money on software or professional services.
Thanks to the Xero POS software link retailers are able to eliminate bookkeeping work and have accounting data flow through accurately from the POS software where data originates to Xero where it is accessed for key business accounting functions.
Developed with careful oversight of CPA qualified accounting experience as well as current small business management accounting experience plus insights from experienced bookkeepers, this link is a true cost saver because of the accounting steps it eliminates and the mistakes it avoids. Both of these have costs to any small business. Eliminating them is a bottom line cost benefit for any business.
Setting up the Xero link is easy. You map the data flow from invoice entry through to the chart of accounts managed by Xero. Once this is done, supplier invoices, sales, credits, LayBys and other everyday business transactions flow from the POS software to Xero.
This makes business accounting easier, more certain, less expensive and more useful to the business.
Your BAS is easier. Your P&L and Balance Sheet are more up to date. This is a big win for any small business retailer.
Tower Systems uses the Xero POS software link itself for retail businesses it owns in the gift and homewares spaces. By using our software, especially the Xero link we are able to draw on broad practical experience when providing advice to our retail business owner customers. It means that our help desk advice is based on us walking in your shores more than is usual for a POS software company.
Tower Systems is keen to help small business retailers cut costs. We know the more we can do this the more our customers will appreciate the practical benefits a relationship between our businesses can deliver. With our software support being optional we know that our customers can switch any time. The best way for us to keep them is for us to deliver practical benefits at each touch point.
23
April
Here at Tower Systems we help small business retailers in ways beyond what is traditional for POS software companies. One such way is through inspiration.
Our inspiration initiative is all about eloping retailers see what they may be missing. This could be in their data, in their sore or elsewhere.
As skilled retailers, we bring real world experience in many different retail situations to the table to help our Tower Systems POS software customers who engage with our inspiration initiative to find new joy from their businesses.
The joy could be from a new approach to business, new insights, now opportunities uncovered or better understanding. It can be different for different businesses. It can be big or small. Quick or slow. Each inspiration is different for each business … and we love it.
We are grateful to our customers for engaging with us on this, for trusting us to be part of these inspiring opportunities where we learn plenty about retail each time and where we can share what we know, too, to benefit those whom we serve.
Beyond POS software, Tower Systems is grateful for the trust shown in us to serve in this practical and valuable way in small business retail. We take the opportunity seriously and engagingly.
These are each practical things we have done working with everyday small business retailers. Real things, in-store things, things retailers can action right away without spending any more money.
And from each of these things came inspiration for more change in each business, to the broader benefit of the business and those it serves.
We are proud that Tower Systems is not your average POS software company.
21
April
In addition to excellent after hours coverage by mobile phone, Tower Systems today, and for many years past, offers office based help desk support. This is based in our Hawthorn office, in Melbourne.
The Saturday support is full service, practical and engaged.
We are proud to continue to offer this service in support of our 3,500+ small business customers.
We’re open for business.
20
April
Oxipay buy now pay later integrated with the Tower POS software helps small business retailers sell more.
Tower Systems was the first POS company to integrate with Oxipay, the buy now pay later solution launched by ASX traded Flexi Group.
With Oxipay, your customers can buy now, take the goods now and pay over time. If they default, there is no cost to you. Approval is fast, easy. Settlement is fast. And, being integrated with our software, record keeping is easy.
The Oxipay relationship is one of a series of strategic relationships that we leverage for the commercial benefit of retailers like you.
Let us show you our POS software in an obligation-free demonstration.
We use Oxipay in our consumer-facing websites as well as in our own retail gift shops. Our experience goes beyond the software, and into the retail operational. It will help you sell more.
Email sales@towersystems.com.au or call for an obligation free demonstration:
We are proud to serve 3,500 specialty retailers with our software.
19
April
Tower Systems pioneered the pitch of discount vouchers in small business retail. Now, many years on, more and more retailers are singing the praises of this unique and loved small business POS software loyalty offer.
Discount vouchers change shopper behaviour. They are a unique loyalty offer that older how shoppers see a business and how they engage in-store.
What sets Tower Systems apart, beyond the strong algorithm behind the vouchers, is the way we support small business retailers in deploying the voucher tactic in-store. We offer business trade training, so the context is understood at the owner level through to the sales counter level.
Being retailers ourselves and using the vouchers in different retail businesses we can speak from experience and retailers love this. Beyond the vouchers themselves, which are unique, our business engagement and knowledge is unique in software company circles.
Discount vouchers can be called anything you want, too. We have customers in the high end jewellery space calling them a Personal Thank You Gift and finding wonderful shopper engagement.
We are confident that Tower Systems’ Discount Voucher facilities can help you:
One of our own retail businesses reported growth of 10% in the three months to June 30, 2015. Much of the success comes down to smart use of Discount Vouchers.
Discount Vouchers don’t need a card – they print on sales receipts and offer an amount customers can spend right away. Our experience and the experience of hundreds of our customers is that Discount Vouchers drive faster and deeper engagement with the business – making a shopping visit more valuable right away.
See the software live. Contact us for an obligation free demonstration: Email: sales@towersystems.com.au. Call: toll free 1300 662 957. SA / WA / VIC: Tim Batt. 0401 833 917. QLD / NT: Justin Randall. 0434 365 789. NSW / ACT / TAS: Nathan Morrison. 0417 568 148. Check us out online: www.towersystems.com.au.
18
April
Here at Tower Systems we will tell you if we think our POS software is not right for your business.
Seriously.
We have been in business too long and have too good of a reputation to risk it by selling a business software that is not ideal for their needs.
Our sales team are not under any pressure to reach a sales quota. This takes away the usual pressure on sales people to get a sale at all costs.
Here are some of the reasons why we might say our software is not right for your business:
We don’t like saying no. However, being transparent is important to us, and to prospective customers.
When we do say no we do so with an explanation, usually in writing, so there is not doubt. This can lead to a discussion about why we have said no and even changes in a business so the no becomes a yes. This process works well as it encourages a business discussion from which we learn and our prospective customer takes a look back at their business.
More than a software company, we are a retail business focussed business. Being retailers ourselves we understand the complexity of retail today. This personal experience enables us to take a retailer-focussed approach in how we navigate a situation where we do not think our software is a good fit for a prospect.
Some of our most engaged customers are businesses where we felt we were not a good fit. The process we have has worked well in ensuring everyone goes into a relationship with their eyes and ears open and we often see this benefiting both businesses.
See the software live. Contact us for an obligation free demonstration: Email: sales@towersystems.com.au. Call: toll free 1300 662 957. SA / WA / VIC: Tim Batt. 0401 833 917. QLD / NT: Justin Randall. 0434 365 789. NSW / ACT / TAS: Nathan Morrison. 0417 568 148. Check us out online: www.towersystems.com.au.
17
April
From managing bulky goods, to handling special orders, Tower is the POS solution to put your rural supply business on the map | #pos#rural #produce #smallbiz #smallbusiness | www.towersystems.com.au
13
April
For years now Tower Systems has helped church and christian bookshops run more efficient businesses with smart POS software that serves some unique needs in these businesses.
Thanks to the flexibility in our POS software we are able to offer solutions in areas that everyday POS software does not cover.
Serving in this way helps the church and christian bookshops serve those they help – back in their organisations as well as in the businesses where they offer a unique range of products backed by specialty knowledge and experience.
Offering this through POS software and backing it with web connect opportunities, Tower Systems is able to deliver a specialist grade service with software for these unique organisations.
We have customers in the christian / church bookshop space around Australia and have had for some years, with new customers joining ing us in this unique and valued area.
This is another example of our speciality POS software that is small business and locally focussed. Our openness to enhancement helps us serve these organisations and we gratefully engage at every opportunity. This leads to recommendations of our software between organisations, for which we are most grateful.
From handling GST appropriately to providing added value at the transaction level to supporting flexibility in payment options, we help church and christian organisations serve their flock with smart POS software that is fit for purpose in their business operational areas.
Tower Systems is used to working with community focussed organisations that are run by committee and under a tight budget. We work with them in a way that is appropriate to their structure and in a timely manner that suits their local needs. We have reference sites that can speak to this and what we have done for them in this area. Groups like these are another niche in which we serve.
Our personal training and 24/7 support access are also appreciated buy this community of POS software users.
See the software live. Contact us for an obligation free demonstration: Email: sales@towersystems.com.au. Call: toll free 1300 662 957. SA / WA / VIC: Tim Batt. 0401 833 917. QLD / NT: Justin Randall. 0434 365 789. NSW / ACT / TAS: Nathan Morrison. 0417 568 148. Check us out online: www.towersystems.com.au.
12
April
In October last year we published this short video for small business retailers with our thoughts on the imminent arrival of the first Amazon warehouse in Australia – in the context of then shrill reporting. we have received wonderful and appreciated feedback from customers about this.
The shrill reporting has continued. Our advice remains the same. We are grateful to be helping small business retailers grow in the face of change.
11
April
The end of shift process in any retail business is when the day comes together, when the numbers are revealed and and errors resolved.
This week, today in fact, we are offering retailers who use our POS software a free training workshop in end of shift processes and, in particular, the end of shift reports – in which wonderful and valuable in formation can be found.
Understanding the End Of Shift Reports
Why is the End of Shift important? How do I check my settings are correct? What do the reports mean? What parts of the report do I need to use for my accounting….
This training is accessible at no cot whatsoever to any of our customers. People can book online, through our free training portal.
The training is live, interaction and allows for plenty of time for questions.
This free training is another way our POS software customers can learn, for free.
10
April
We are asked from time to time how our software compares with VEND, the POS software from New Zealand. To answer this question we asked people who have switched from VEND to our Tower Systems POS software. Here, we have assembled the most common reasons people give any our POS software is better than VEND:
At a functional level the Tower Systems POS software is different, unique and valuable. see it for yourself, in your business, at a time that suits you. If we think the software is not a good fit for your business we will say so.
See the software live. Contact us for an obligation free demonstration: Email: sales@towersystems.com.au. Call: toll free 1300 662 957. SA / WA / VIC: Tim Batt. 0401 833 917. QLD / NT: Justin Randall. 0434 365 789. NSW / ACT / TAS: Nathan Morrison. 0417 568 148. Check us out online: www.towersystems.com.au.
9
April
We are grateful to pet shop owners switching to our pet shop software with plenty of new customers already welcomed this year.
This retail channel spec idic software offers independent pet retailers facilities they can leverage to compete with national and multi-national retailers in the pet food, pet gift, pet toy and related marketplaces.
We only sell to small business pet shops.
Our software is regularly updated, to offer these businesses tools through which they can more effectively compete with much bigger businesses. This freshness of our software not only helps them compete, it offers peace of mind and investment protection.
The latest Tower Systems pet shop software is robust, innovative and easy to use. We have backed its release with free training and support, to help our customers get the most from the opportunity.
Shown at pet business trade shows and conferences, our software is readily accessible to pet retailers and their suppliers to see and discuss. This accessibility to the broader channel and partner suppliers demonstrated a more comprehensive relationship.
Local pet stores are unique businesses, with tough big business competitors and an ever-growing online challenge.
The Tower Systems pet shops software is designed, developed and supported here in Australia. We only sell to independent local pet businesses. We believe in small business!
Our software is loaded with facilities developed specifically for pet stores. These are facilities you will not see in regular, often cheaper, POS software. The facilities continue to evolve, too, based on suggestions from people like you.
There is more to this software than the marketing described above. For example, we make managing catalogues easy. You can load the offers and have them run for the date / time range you select. In fact, the catalogue tools are quite powerful, allowing considerably more flexibility that you might be used to from the old-school approach to catalogues.
Another way we help maximise sales is with an instant loyalty reward. This is particularly useful where you see shoppers infrequently. Using rules you control, a receipt can include a voucher offering an amount off the next purchase.
An average 19% redemption rate for the vouchers with a third redeemed the day of purchase. Male shoppers are far more likely to redeem the day of purchase.
The instant loyalty reward can also work with a point based program for more regular shoppers too, helping them spend more with you.
Our pet shop software also offers:
See the software live. Contact us for an obligation free demonstration: Email: sales@towersystems.com.au. Call: toll free 1300 662 957. SA / WA / VIC: Tim Batt. 0401 833 917. QLD / NT: Justin Randall. 0434 365 789. NSW / ACT / TAS: Nathan Morrison. 0417 568 148. Check us out online: www.towersystems.com.au.
8
April
For our next in this series where we shine a light on terrific VM, we have a display from one of our own shops, where our POS software is tested and enhanced, pitching Aussie made soap:
6
April
Too often small and independent retail businesses create and run shopper loyalty programs that mimic their big business competitors. They ignore that the big business loyalty programs do not have rewarding shopper loyalty as a core focus.
Big business loyalty programs are primarily about the needs and profitability of the big business running them. Too often, they do not offer a real reward for loyalty.
Our advice for small business retailers is to be generous with your loyalty program.
Offer generous rewards for loyalty. Run a loyalty program shoppers love, a program that brings shoppers back again and again.
It is called a loyalty program after all. Show your customers you appreciate their loyalty.
Being stingy will cause frustration and anger among customers, it could have them talking negatively about the business. This is not good for business.
When we look at loyalty programs that have failed to deliver good results in a small or independent retail business, the most common cause we find is that the loyalty reward is not sufficiently a reward.
This is why we encourage retailers to be generous in loyalty reward settings.
The best way to reflect generosity is through transparency of value. By this we mean making it clear what a reward is worth. This is why a dollar amount is more valuable than points. People understand dollars. It is unlikely the will easily understand the ‘value’ of points.
While the Tower Systems software offers multiple loyalty programs and options, our recommended approach is discount vouchers. It is easy to setup, easily understood by shoppers and genuine in the reward.
Showing $$ value on receipts in the form of a voucher that can be spent presents immediate in-store opportunities as well as after the visit opportunities. Our research indicates an average redemption of 20% of all vouchers issued and a total net cost to the business of around 1% of turnover for, usually, a 8% to 10% bump in sales.
For more advice and assistance on the best-practice approach to shopper loyalty, please talk with the team at Tower Systems.
This general retail business advice is another example of the type of advice Tower Systems provides its customers, to help beyond our POS software.
5
April
Being local matters in small business. Here are ways for any local retail business to be more locally engaged.
Too often small business retailers call for people to support local businesses. It can be more valuable if you show what local looks and feels like, so people in the community understand the benefit for them from supporting you.
To Tower Systems, local is small business. We only sell our software to small businesses because we believe in the importance of small business in any economy. Small businesses are our local community.
4
April
Social media is vital for every retail business. It is as important as opening the front door of the shop. However, its value is determined by the content you publish, by your call out to people.
we call it a beast because it can feel like you have never satisfied it. This is because so much social media content is disposable. You only have to watch how people engage with social media to see this.
Engaging with any social media platform is like feeding a beast that is forever hungry. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, they are all hungry beasts. They can feel overwhelming, intimidating and frustrating. Too often, small business retailers give up … and when they do that they turn their back on opportunities for their businesses to be discovered.
The best way to be successful with social media is to have a plan to be efficient about how you engage.
Here is everyday advice to help you efficiently engage with social media. While the example used is Facebook, it is useful for any social media platform.
They key goal of a retail business Facebook page is increase recognition and recollection of the business. Think about this as you write each post. Make sure the post progresses on this goal.
This business management advice is another example of how Tower Systems helps its small business customers beyond our POS software.
3
April
This advice has been prepared by us here at Tower Systems for small business retailers, independent retailers. We have created the advice as part of our suite of business management advice for retailers.
we help small business retailers beyond our POS software. We do this with support and advice, like in this article:
If you want to quit stock, quit it, quickly. Quickly means different things to different people. We think it means 7 days … gone and out of the shop in 7 days from when you decide to quit the products.
The easiest way to quit stock is for your shoppers to understand the deal. Understanding the deal starts with how you brand the sale.
A sign with SALE on it could mean anything. We suggest you NOT use this.
A sign with, say, 50% off could be confusing as they don’t know the starting price and some may not understand percentages.
A Sign with HALF PRICE is more easily understood but they still do not know the starting price.
If you really want to quit stock, we suggest you have tables or dump bins at price points: $1, $2, $5 – or that ever is appropriate to you.
We have tested this in retail, with customers. We have tried $9.99 priced an item at 50% off, half price and $5.00. The $5.00 pricing worked the best, by far.
This is our recommendation on quickly quitting stock: get the price messaging right.
If your price messaging is hard to understand or if there are too many different price messages you could be creating a barrier and this could stop you achieving the sales outcome you want.
Also: display the product for a sale. i.e. not pretty. Reorganise it daily. Keep it separate to the premium merchandise.
Tower Systems is a full service POS software company helping small business retailers beyond what is squall for a POS software company. This article is a fractional representation of the help and support we provide beyond what is usual in the POS software space, it shows the help, care and instruction we provide small business retailers.
This is the Tower Advantage. We are proud to offer it.
