Advocacy Articles

Advocacy — What Can You Do For My Store?
By Mark Palmore, Connect2One Institutional Store Advocate

Webster's College Dictionary defines Advocacy as, " the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending a cause or course of action."

When asked by a Connect2One member, "What can your advocacy program do for my store?" I asked her to explain the situation. Once we had agreed on a course of action, we worked together to implement it and achieve the store's goal. I know this sounds simple and obvious, but the Connect2One members I have spoken with are very pleased and excited that our company is "in their corner." We mean it when we say "Advocacy that works for You."

Promoting the value of the institutional store model is a very valiant and admirable cause, but more than anything else it is the best business decision for your institution. You know that, but unfortunately that point seems to be lost with many administrators who simply feel that any perceived or real problem they may experience with their bookstore will simply vanish if the store is leased. This is simply not the case, and we feel it is our charge to help you convince your administration of the value of keeping your store institutional. We are all up to the challenge and want to work with you to help your store meet expectations!

Connect2One and Nebraska Book Company have dedicated both financial and staff resources to work to keep the institutional store strong. We have begun the development of a comprehensive program, designed to promote the value of the self-operation/institutional college bookstore model. The material we currently have available to you, and the research we are finalizing, is just the first part of the advocacy program available to you as a Connect2One member. There is much more to come, including a completely redesigned and updated Web site (www.connect2one.com), more advertising material to promote the "Brick and Mortar" store, and more articles for campus newspapers, to direct customers to your store and build your campus image. In addition, we are developing educational materials designed to promote the institutional model to campus administrators. Many of you have already contacted me for information and I look forward to working with you to get the word out that the institutional store model is the best business decision for your institution.

The Connect2One Advocacy program is an added value of your membership and we stand ready to assist you in any way possible to keep your store institutional. We want to support your cause, recommend a strong course of action, and even plead your case to your administrators. Please contact me at mpalmore@connect2one.com or at (800) 563-9034.