|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
We have a quick Good Manufacturing Practices tip for you this week. When you receive pallets of chocolate or the ten-pound bars of chocolate from your chocolate supplier, you need to break them into smaller pieces to melt down and create your confections. How do you go about doing that?
Many candy makers will break the chocolate into smaller pieces by smashing it with a hammer. However, if you are using a hammer with a wooden handle, you risk the wood chipping off in the process and small shreds of wood landing in your chocolate. Additionally, if you are using a hammer with a rubber handle, it likely has small crevices that can easily hold chocolate and create bacteria.
Lessen your risk with this week’s tip! Pitch the old hammer and replace it with a stainless steel or titanium crowbar to break your chocolate into pieces for melting. Of course, it is still a good idea to clean the crowbar on a regular basis. With no other elements such as wood and rubber on the bar, it is much easier to clean and sterilize so it is ready for safe use with food.
For $15 or less, you can create a more food safe candy kitchen. Now that’s cost effective! Do you have a quick and easy tip to improve food safety in your business? If so, please share in the comments below.
RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Candy Hacks
Cheap Fix
Chocolate
GMP's
Tools
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
Whether you like it or not, people are talking about your business online. Be sure you’re aware of any online coverage your business receives by setting up Google Alerts. Using this free tool, you will be alerted via email when your business name or the name of a competitor shows up in Google results.
Creating Google Alerts is simple and you don’t have to have a Google account to use this free tool. Go to google.com/alerts to get started. In the search query field, enter the term(s) of which you wish to receive notifications. For the purposes discussed here, enter your business name in this field. You must create one alert at a time, but you can create multiple alerts (e.g., one for your business name and one for your signature product’s name).
To customize the delivery of your alerts, select “show options” before creating your alert. Here you will be able to select your preferences when it comes to the frequency of your notifications and the sources for alerts (e.g., news, blogs, videos and more). For greater accuracy, you may choose to limit alerts to only best results.
Now you can be in the know when your business is being talked about online!
Tags:
Google
Marketing
Tools
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
Imagine trick-or-treating as a kid and coming home to find out your neighbors were passing out items from their junk drawer instead of candy (old batteries, a stray sock, an unpaid bill).
Sound a bit like your email inbox? Every once in awhile you'll come across a real "treat" among a slew of marketing emails that evoke similar feelings to the time when the neighborhood kids toilet-papered your house (delete, delete, delete...).
For retailers, creating marketing emails that delight your customers, rather than make them shriek, can be tricky...If only there was a checklist to ensure you deliver perfect emails that engage, inform and drive action from your customer base this holiday season…
Below we've highlighted expert marketing tips (no tricks) from RCI partner, Constant Contact, from their easy-to-follow Holiday Email Template Checklist. Click here to read the full article from Constant Contact.
1. Holiday header
- From Name and Email
- Subject Line
- Preheader Text
These three elements could be the difference between your email getting opened or sent straight to the trash!
2. Holly, jolly email body
- Company Logo
- Text/Images
- Call to Action
3. Festive footer
- Social Media Links
- Address/Contact Information
- Unsubscribe Option
Don’t underestimate the power of making your business easily accessible. Make sure to include your contact information, such as a link to your website and a phone number, as well as links to your social media sites.
Check your list twice to create business-driving emails that delight your customers this holiday season!
RCI Members: Constant Contact Email Marketing offers a fast, effective way to get your message out to customers and keep your organization top of mind. Start your email marketing today and receive an RCI member discount of 20% for purchasing the 6 month prepaid option or a discount of 25% for purchasing the 12 month prepaid option. Already use Constant Contact? Contact RCI to begin receiving the member discount.
Tags:
email marketing
Holidays
Owning a Business
Resources
Tools
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
|
As a small business owner, it is easy to find yourself feeling isolated and even depressed, especially during the holidays. In fact, this is a common sentiment amongst entrepreneurs. It can be comforting and beneficial to have a strong network of like-minded individuals who understand your day-to-day challenges.
Every professional knows building a network is important. If your eyes are already starting to gloss over because a) you don’t have time, b) you don’t know where to start, c) you find networking to be intimidating, or d) all of the above, it’s time to perk up! We’ve identified 4 ways to build your network, plus, ways RCI can help!
- Seek out a mentor
A great mentor can offer guidance and support through the wisdom that comes with experience. There’s a good chance with any challenge you may be facing, they’ve lived it and can share what they’ve learned from both their mistakes and successes. Look for experienced leaders that you admire and respect through your local community or your industry.
RCI’s People to People Network is a great resource for identifying members within the same industry, who have voluntarily offered to share their knowledge with other RCI members. Within the People to People Network we have identified potential mentors, as well as their areas of expertise, including industry subjects such as tempering, equipment, formulations, facility design and more, as well as broader business topics like marketing, accounting, ecommerce, succession planning, etc. Sign in at retailconfectioners.org and find the People to People Network under the Member Resources tab.
- Attend social events
Of course, seeing what your local Chamber of Commerce or other local professional organizations have on the calendar is an option. If you’re looking for a group with more specialized interests, check out Meetup.com to find like-minded individuals gathering near you.
Providing opportunities to connect with fellow confectioners and industry suppliers is one of the pillars of RCI. As an international association, you can expect RCI to host a number of events for members and non-members across the US and abroad each year, offering fun and engaging ways to build relationships and share ideas. Visit retailconfectioners.org/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up on the latest events.
- Volunteer
As the saying goes, “you have to give to get.” You’d be surprised how quickly and effortlessly your network can grow when you volunteer.
Even if you’re already involved in a networking association, it can be awkward and intimidating to put yourself out there. By volunteering, making connections may come more naturally to you if you’re working with others on a specific task or project.
- Share your advice and experience
Even the busiest of us can manage to make time to post to their favorite social network now and then. A few minutes is all you need to join the conversation happening on RCI’s online forum, List Serve. Respond to inquiries and share your own quandaries in your pajamas, if you wish! Participate in troubleshooting topics ranging from chocolate production, marketing and business ownership and build your network in the process. Sign in at retailconfectioners.org and find List Serve under the Member Resources tab.
Tags:
Events
Forum
Idea Sharing
Leadership
List Serve
Mentors
Networking
Owning a Business
Resources
small business
Tools
Volunteer
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Print Page
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS
