Management – Slark Consulting Group

How Barnes & Noble Engineered a Remarkable Turnaround – And What Business Owners Can Learn From It

Case Study, Leadership, Management, Marketing / Rick Slark

Barnes & Noble was once seen as a fading giant in the age of Amazon, but under bold new leadership, it has staged an extraordinary turnaround. By decentralizing decision-making, empowering local booksellers, and focusing on discovery rather than algorithms, B&N has transformed its stores into thriving community hubs. This case study reveals powerful lessons for business owners—how to compete with industry giants, rethink strategy for long-term success, and create customer experiences that drive loyalty. Read on to uncover the strategies that revived America’s largest bookstore chain—and how you can apply them to your own business.

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Is Your Business Ready for Change? 5 Key Areas to Reassess Now

Business Development, Capital/Finances, Charts and Trends, Economic Development, Government Regulations, Leadership, Management / Rick Slark

Change is inevitable in business, and with 2025 on the horizon, shifts in economic policy, market trends, and regulations could significantly impact your company. The key to staying ahead isn’t just reacting—it’s proactively reassessing your strategy. In this article, we explore five critical business adjustments you should make now to prepare for potential challenges and opportunities. From navigating economic fluctuations to adapting to new regulations and evolving customer behaviors, this guide will help ensure your business remains agile and competitive. Will you lead the change or struggle to keep up? Read on to find out how to position your business for success in 2025.

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What Small Business Owners Can Learn from the JCPenney and Forever 21 Merger

Business Development, Business Growth, Revenue Models, Small Business Strategy, Financial Strategy, Business Diversification, Profitability, Business Resilience, Leadership, Management, Partnerships, Retail / Rick Slark

Picture yourself in a mall in 2002: racks of trendy Aéropostale hoodies, Forever 21’s fast-fashion treasures, and JCPenney’s dependable mix of apparel, home goods, and Sephora counters. These brands defined an era of retail, but the world has since changed. Fast forward to 2025, and these mall staples are coming together under one roof. Catalyst

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7 Critical Lessons from Wendy’s Decision to Close 140 Restaurants

5 Lessons I Learned This Week, Business Development, Charts and Trends, Economic Development, Management / Rick Slark

What if closing a part of your business could make you more profitable? That’s exactly what Wendy’s is betting on by closing 140 underperforming locations despite a simultaneous expansion into high-growth areas. This strategy follows a wave of similar closures earlier this year as Wendy’s moves toward “quality over quantity” to protect its brand and

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Tupperware’s Downfall: What Small Business Owners Can Learn from an Icon’s Struggle

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Leadership, Management, Marketing / Rick Slark

Remember your first Tupperware container? Maybe it was the one your grandmother used to store cookies or the colorful set your mother kept neatly stacked in the pantry. For many, Tupperware was more than just a container—it symbolized home, family, and the promise of well-preserved leftovers. However, the brand that revolutionized food storage has now

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Holiday Edition: Shopper’s Attitudes Toward Price Increases

Charts and Trends, Customer Service, Holiday's, Management, Marketing, Quotes, Uncategorized / Rick Slark

“Getting results isn’t just about staying informed—it’s about taking that information and turning it into decisive action. The following research from Stacked Marketer offers valuable insights, but the key is to determine how it applies to your business and then commit to acting on it. By doing so, you’re not just staying ahead but positioning yourself

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What Can I Learn from the Home Improvement Slowdown? Consider These Actionable Strategies

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Management, Sales & Service, Strategy / Rick Slark

Introduction In a world where 60% of homeowners are delaying renovations, understanding consumer behavior has never been more crucial for small business owners. Recent reports from home improvement giants Lowe’s and Home Depot reveal that consumers are postponing major renovation projects due to economic uncertainty. With rising interest rates and inflation tightening household budgets, homeowners

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Inflation, Innovation, and Insight: The New Rules for Ohio’s Restaurants

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Economic Development, Management, market research, Marketing, Sales & Service / Rick Slark

Ohio’s restaurant industry is experiencing a notable resurgence. According to John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, the state now boasts about 1,000 more restaurants than it did pre-pandemic, with the total number reaching approximately 25,000. This rebound began in late 2023, signaling a critical recovery phase for the sector.

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The Art of Simplification: Streamline Your Offerings to Drive Conversions

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Economic Development, Management, Marketing, Strategy / Rick Slark

All of us have experienced the frustration of indecision. Like scrolling through countless movie options on our favorite streaming app without settling on anything? This example is a classic case of Hick’s Law at work. What is Hick’s Law? Hick’s Law, named after psychologist William E. Hick, explains that the time it takes for a

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Is Your Manufacturing Business Prepared for the Future?

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Leadership, Management, Manufacturing, Strategy / Rick Slark

“The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the American economy, but it’s currently standing on shaky ground,” says Timothy Fiore, Chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. Despite substantial investments, the US manufacturing sector is experiencing a downturn. The sector contracted for the fourth consecutive month in July, with factory orders falling by 3.3% in

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