McIntosh Laboratory Inc. strives to make dealers successful—on their own terms.

People don’t get into the luxury home-entertainment channel because they have a cookie-cutter approach to retailing. The high-end audiovisual business always has been about passion, personal taste, self expression and style. So when it comes to special events and in-store promotions, it’s not surprising that the luxury retailing landscape is rich, varied and reflective of dealers themselves, and their discriminating clientele.

According to the American Express Survey of Wealth in America 2010, America's richest are spending less and they are being more selective about the products they purchase. A poll of 2,400 people from the richest 10 percent of U.S. households revealed the affluent are still willing to buy high-end products, yet they relish sales and quality-and not status. Ninety-one percent felt that the nation is still in the middle of a recession.

As the affluent prefer to research and purchase products online, online deals and coupons have become big. In addition, the rich are more likely now than in the past to wait to purchase items once they to go on sale. Buying generic brands and buying in bulk are also popular. To read the entire article, click here:

Ernie Carswell, a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles real-estate market, is at the top of his game. While he started small in Dallas during the Oil Crisis, he represents double-digit million-dollar properties today. His clients include CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, entertainment studio executives, foreign dignitaries, government officials and regular folk. Luxury CE talks in-depth with the quintessential sales professional.

How valuable can your personal brand be to your business? Your face is powerful as a recognizable, graphic icon whether it is on social networking sites or at public events. People equate familiarity with trust. Add that to a magnetic personality or a memorable catch phrase and you have a key differentiator in a crowded field. Think Col. Sanders' face on every ad and store sign for Kentucky Fried Chicken. For you fans of TV's Friday Night Lights, think Buddy Garrity, the ebullient car dealer. Before seeking the spotlight, the first question you should answer is, "What do I have to offer that no one else can?" Examples: free detailed CAD documentation or true 24/7 response to service needs. Doing this will help you figure out how to stand out from the crowd, says public relations guru Lisa Elia, of Lisa Elia Public Relations in Los Angeles. Once you have established your personal niche, it's important to incorporate that into your daily interactions, including writing. Elia recommends striking a balance between a friendly and an expert tone: warm and inviting, but still authoritative.

To learn how to make the most of your personality, go to:

Selling a product and selling an experience are two totally different things.

Despite the lagging economy, I had the chance to observe two very effective transactions take place at a pair of high-end retailers during my latest visit to San Francisco. At Tiffany & Co. on Post Street, the salesman, who greeted his client by name, was engaging and personable—and had a sense of exactly how much the client would spend. As a result, he suggested a modest bracelet charm, and completed the transaction within minutes.

Most Americans are struggling to rebuild their battered finances. But the country's wealthy are once again doing just fine, thank you very much. New data show the number of millionaires increased sharply and hold a larger percentage of the country's wealth than it did in 2007. Households with at least $1 million in bankable assets rose 15% to 4.7 million. According to Monish Kumar of Boston Consulting Group, the number of millionaires in 2009 was 10% lower than in 2007 but the percentage of the total wealth held by those households was slightly higher at 55%. Read on to learn more on this all-important demographic:

A survey of 1,500 CEOs from IBM's Institute for Business Value reveals that top managers value creativity as the most important leadership competency for the successful enterprise of the future. Generally viewed as fuel for research or product development, creativity is now valued as an essential leadership asset. CEOs who view creativity as top priority are breaking with traditional strategy-planning cycles in favor of continuous, rapid-fire shifts and adjustments to their business models. Creative leaders disrupt existing business models and organizational paralysis; decision-making becomes faster, more precise, and even more predictable. These recommendations describe a shift toward corporate cultures that are far more transparent and entrepreneurial.

to read entire article, click here

Since it costs five times more to attract new customers than to retain existing ones, it is in your best interest to keep your customers happy. A University of Missouri study shows that ninety percent of customers who are dissatisfied, not only will not do business with you again but will not tell you why. The same percentage will become loyal, repeat customers if their complaints are handled quickly. Janelle Barlow, author of "Branded Customer Service" discusses how to sell your brand promise through customer service.

 To see interview video clip, click here.