Advocacy Articles

Don't Be Shy!
By Mark Palmore, Institutional Store Advocate

This summer, Connect2One attended all four of the NACAS Regional Meetings and exhibited at the NACUBO Annual Meeting (we were the only group attending with the sole purpose to represent the institutional/self-op college bookstore). These meetings are a good channel to get the word out to key campus administrators that the institutional /self-op college bookstore is the best model for their campus. We are not shy about telling the story of the institutional/self-op model!

As we continue to develop a dialog with administrators on behalf of the institutional stores, it is apparent they see their college stores in many different ways: purely as a revenue generator, as a service to faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and as a combination of the two. One thing is certain. Administrators are constantly evaluating their bookstore operation because it is their job to make sure their institution has an excellent campus bookstore.

Are your administrators aware of ALL that your store brings to your school?

Based on our experiences, it is not always obvious that administrators have all of the facts as to why they should keep the campus bookstore institutional/self-op. But don't wait for them to find the facts. Be proactive; provide them the proof of your stores value. Connect2One can help! That proof includes the bottom-line financial return AND all of the intangible benefits and good will your store supplies to your college or university. It is crucial for you and your store to be proactive, prepared, and positive.

You may be saying, "Great idea, Mark (though not that original), but how should we go about preparing our case?"

Develop a document that tells the administrator the total value of your bookstore including: staff experience (both in the store and prior to arriving on your campus), store financials (including comparisons to similar stores), your online presence (or plans), and ALL of the intangibles your store provides to the campus and community. Expose your administrators to the negative impact contract management will have on your students (high prices, lack of input, fewer student jobs). Don't be shy about telling the administrators WHY your store is an asset as an institutional/self-op entity and that contract management is not the answer for your campus store!

It's your institution's bookstore. Keep it that way!

If you would like more information on how to develop a successful presentation to your administration, or if you have any questions about anything mentioned in this article, please contact Mark Palmore, Institutional Store Advocate, via e-mail or call (800) 563-9034.

Keeping Your Boss Informed

An easy way to keep your boss informed on your activities and interests is to share this newsletter. It's also an additional way you can let that administrator know the value of your membership. A few weeks ago, we sent a fax asking if you'd like for us to add your boss to our newsletter mail list and many of you responded. If you missed the fax or have since decided that you do want a copy sent, you can simply send an e-mail to Mark Palmore, giving him the name of the administrator, their title, and the address, if it's different from the store's.