The key to an informed launch of a new bookstore is education and training.
In the spring and fall, Donna Paz Kaufman and Mark Kaufman of the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates offer five-day workshops which can help you build upon the foundations for success and learn about what’s involved in preparing to open your store: bookstore design, creating your opening inventory, choosing a computerized bookstore management system, planning Grand Openings generating publicity, plus more. Even small bookstore operations are complex because of the nature of the book industry, so we encourage you to get training before you invest.
These workshops are facilitated by Donna Paz Kaufman and Mark Kaufman of the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates and is co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association. Visit www.pazbookbiz.com or call (800) 260-8605 for further information.
Next workshop: BookExpo America: May 26-27
An introduction to retail bookselling for anyone who wants to open a new bookstore, invest in a bookstore venture, or buy an existing store.
Information about the 2009 school will be posted soon. Please also watch Bookselling This Week for announcements.
2008 BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL DESCRIPTION
This school serves as an introduction to the topic of bookselling, focusing on the objective in opening a bookstore, the process in reaching a decision to open a bookstore, creating a bookstore vision, and basic financial education (creating a business plan, sales forecasting, start-up costs, chart of accounts, etc.). In addition, students will spend Thursday attending ABA’s Day of Education, which includes everything from green retailing and leveraging the localism movement in your community to negotiating your lease and to a budgeting and monitoring workshop, and more.
In an era where there is more retail space devoted to selling books than ever before - plus the presence of Internet retailers - sustaining and growing a profitable bookstore business requires that each person in a management role fully understand the fundamentals of running a business. Then your own knowledge of the community and a highly personal touch can be infused to create a tangible competitive edge.
When you register for this three-day workshop, the world of bookselling is open to you to learn and explore. From educational sessions to networking with bookselling colleagues at ABA's Annual Celebration of Bookselling and other ABA events - plus free admission to the largest trade show in the U.S. book industry - you'll be immersed in the book business.
Attendees at the school will also find plenty of extra value with their tuition. The registration fee also includes:
- Free registration to BookExpo America - the premiere bookselling and publishing exhibition in the nation, boasting hundreds of publishers displaying new titles.
- Access to ABA’s Annual Meeting where you'll have the chance to find out what's new in the bookselling industry.
- Access to ABA’s Bookseller Lounge where you can chat with seasoned booksellers in a comfortable, relaxed environment.
- The opportunity to meet with experienced booksellers at ABA's Celebration of Bookselling reception, where the 2008 Book Sense Book of the Year Awards will be announced.
- The opportunity to be paired up with a seasoned bookseller who can show you the ropes of the trade show, answer questions about opening a bookstore, etc.
- Networking opportunities galore.
This educational program is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association and facilitated by Donna Paz Kaufman and Mark Kaufman of Paz & Associates. Thursday's "Day of Education" is sponsored and facilitated by ABA, its guest speakers, and member bookstore owners.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- How to assess whether your community will support an independent bookstore
- Ways that successful booksellers compete in today’s market
- How much it will cost to implement your vision
- Bookstore financial dynamics—why some bookstores are profitable and others aren’t
- How long it will take to open
- How your dream compares with reality.