Page 20 - Toy&Hobby Magazine Aug-Oct 2020

COVID-19
IMPACT
Online marketing is really important and this can be done through social media such as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, or you could even try TikTok.
Keep your customers engaged and up- to-date with the most relevant information. That can be done through EDMs and you might want to offer some deals and specials to customers.
To keep your employees motivated throughout this time, encourage open discussions with all team members. I believe this is really important. Take on board anyone’s ideas or suggestions.
Lastly another tip I would suggest is see which other businesses within your industry you can work with.
We've had some really great cross promotion that's benefited us and other companies throughout this time.
I think it's great where we can help someone else out and they can help us out.
TOYS R US AUSTRALIA: DIRECTOR – LOUIS MITTONI
At Toys R Us our priority is our connection with our customers.
We stay connected to our customers by going the extra mile wherever possible.
We create wonderful customer experiences online through the use of videos and we keep them updated on all the cool new toys that are constantly arriving.
We value our community of loyal shoppers and reward their return to us, thanking them each time by keeping them informed of the changes and updates, much of it now via social media.
We also stay connected with our shoppers with funny and heart-warming videos and competitions.
We’re mindful of selecting products that capture the developing needs of children, toys that are about fun, learning, tapping into the creative part of the brain and tapping into problem solving.
We know that parents are very mindful of the developing needs of their children and we are too.
And of course my highly-motivated team is all about ensuring a connection to our customer base.
What motivates me and my team is that we too are customers and we understand the kind of service that makes us feel valued.
Our formula is simple: we are driven by the things that we ourselves value.
U. GAMES AUSTRALIA: MD – ANDREW MCCOSKER
My top tips for working from home would be to remain hydrated at all times.
“Still talk around the water cooler, just do it virtually. Maintain that constant flow of communication.”
That doesn't mean bring happy hour forward – it's not like you have to beat the traffic home – make sure you leave that to the end of the day.
But also dress is if you're going into the office and maintain that level of professionalism as best as you can.
How do I motivate myself? Normally coffee, exercise and coffee again! But I try to add that level of routine.
How do I motivate my team? I'd say outside of a daily dose of dad jokes, gifs and memes, you have to try and continue that
buzz that you'd get from being in the office with everyone.
Still talk around the water cooler just do it virtually.
Maintain that constant flow of communication and make sure that everyone feels they are still part of the wider team.
In terms of staying in contact with our customers, it's just about making sure that they know that you're available 24/7 and continuing to provide them with information. ❉
20 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020