If you're looking for some creative new retail business ideas you must check out this article on new vending machine concepts from around the world. There are 100 ideas here that range from very cool to inspirational to downright bizarre.

Whether your company produces a product or you’re a retailer, there are a wide range of interesting ideas here from a hot pizza vending machine to a jeans dispenser. Even if you have a brick and mortar store, you may want to consider adding one of these to your store.

With the end of the year looming, I’ve taken a few minutes to look back at this year’s goals for my business, and I encourage you to do that as well. Now is the time for us to get fired up, kick it in to high gear and finish this year strong.

Here are a few tips that I hope can inspire you to achieve a successful fourth quarter:

Consider your health and the health of your staff
For your business to finish the year strong and healthy, you must also be strong and healthy. Shore up your immune system, get enough rest and make it a point to eat well. Encourage your staff to do the same.

Know where you are
Take some time to examine your sales, financial and inventory reports so you know exactly where your business stands. Once you know where you stand, you can make plans for how you will achieve your business goals for the rest of the year.

Assess your amenities and services
It’s always easier and cheaper to grow per customer sales than to win new customers. Grow per customer sales by creating greater value for loyal customers, like offering free delivery, free gift wrapping or a free customer loyalty program.

Schedule an exclusive shopping event
Consider hosting a holiday shopping preview event for your best customers to boost holiday sales. Events are a great way to create exclusivity and excitement, especially during the holidays.

Cheers to a great end of the year!

The National Retail Federation recently released a report that said a whopping 97% of retailers surveyed utilize background screenings during the application, hiring and employment process. Hiring this year’s holiday staff will likely result in a large influx of applicants and conducting background checks is one way to whittle down candidates.

Here are a few tips to help you use background checks effectively and avoid getting into legal trouble. As always, I recommend seeking professional legal advice for your specific questions.

Credit reports… Checking an applicant’s credit report is one of the most common background checks by employers. Be sure you are getting express written consent from potential employees to check their credit. If you use anything in the credit report as a reason not to hire, you must provide the applicant with a copy of the report and let them know they have the right to challenge the information.

Criminal records… Whether or not you can check an applicant’s criminal record varies by state, so make sure to look up the law in your state or consult your attorney.

Medical records… From what I’ve read, there’s much mis-information and confusion over whether employers can access a candidate’s medical records. According to the SBA.gov website, you can only request medical records based on whether the applicant will be able to perform specific job duties. Also, laws regarding employers access to medical records vary by state, so on this one I’d highly recommend seeking legal counsel.

Worker’s Compensation records… Much of the information on worker’s compensation claims is a matter of public record and thus you do not need consent to access it. However, if you decide not to hire based on this information you must document that and be able to show the applicant’s injury would prevent them from performing their job duties.

Also, mention to applicants that they are entitled to a free copy of their background screening report. They can contact a screening firm such as ChoicePoint, one of the largest firms, at 866-312-8075 to get a free copy of their file (if one exists for them).

The calm before the storm (the busiest time of the year for most retailers) is the perfect time to implement greater organization that will help create more efficiency and a more pleasant environment for you, your employees and your customers.

Step 1. Purge
Before you even think of beginning to organize, you must do a thorough round of de-cluttering. Get rid of any non-essentials and concentrate on scaling back on the stuff. Avoid the temptation to begin organizing anything, just stay focused on de-cluttering.

Step 2. Think of an assembly line
Arrange different work areas according to their function and think of an assembly line. Assemble everything at that location that’s needed to do the job. For example, if you have a gift wrapping station, make sure the wrapping paper, scissors, tape, ribbon and extra supplies are located within reach of the wrapping station. The same would go for the shipping station and merchandise receiving areas.

Step 3. Keep it simple
Create organizational and filing systems that are simple and easily maintained by you and your staff. We often have grand plans to organize, but make it so hard to keep up that the organized environment doesn’t last long.

Step 4. Create dump zones
Place catch-all baskets, bowls, and/or bins to capture frequently used and needed items such as pens and keys where they can be quickly and easily used and put away.

Recently I received this email blast from White House Black Market and loved it – it's a great example of a successful email marketing campaign.

Here are a few points that I loved most that may inspire your next email campaign:

Great subject line – “15% off for teachers. Tell every teacher you know!”
The subject line says it all, very succinctly. It gives you the purpose of the email, spells out how this offer is different (for teachers) and gives a call to action for all recipients, teachers and non-teachers.

Creative promotion
Even though this retailer may not be thought of as “Back to School Headquarters,” they came up with this creative promotion to boost sales during what may have otherwise been a slower time for sales.

Spurs action
Whether the recipient is a teacher or not, this email – like any successful advertisement – encourages action by asking the reader to forward to every teacher you know whether via email, social media or word of mouth. Brilliant!

Creates goodwill
Just about everyone likes to help out teachers and this piece inadvertently creates goodwill for the retailer, and it engages the reader to be a part of the good deed by “telling every teacher you know."

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Apple fan and I love my Mac, iPhone and especially my iPad. I recently saw a great article about how small retailers are using iPads to better serve their customers. Perhaps some of these strategies may be worth a try for your business.

(I’d also love to hear other ways you are using iPads or tablet PCs to reach out to customers at your business.)

Collect customer sign-ups
Numerous businesses now use iPads to collect customer data, whether it’s a yoga studio that has new customers join and sign waivers on an iPad, or a cupcake shop in New York that allows customers to sign up as fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter to receive free frosting.

Offer customer entertainment
A New York nail salon is using iPads as an upscale amenity to entertain customers while they are getting their nails done. Customers can browse the web, read email or play games while they wait.

Assist with order taking
Restaurants and other retailers that take orders as a part of their service are using iPads to allow customers to place orders in the store. Although iPads are unlikely to replace a friendly server to answer questions, it can help expedite orders and improve customer service.

Electric car manufacturer, Coda Automotive, is fighting an uphill battle (against other major competitors like Nissan and Mitsubishi) to become better known. So it’s come up with a new, hip sales strategy that may just give them a leg up on the big guys.

Perhaps what Coda’s doing may inspire you to freshen up your image and make some changes to increase your competitive edge.

Revolutionizing the car buying experience
Possibly inspired by Apple’s stores, Coda has opened sleek, stylish retail outlets in major malls, like the Westfield Century City Shopping Center in Los Angeles, that are named Coda Experience Centers where no pressure “gurus” answer questions.y
 
Unique location
Coda is going where few car dealerships have gone…the mall. Within the store they have created a hip Electric Vehicle Bar where shoppers can use interactive displays to learn more about electric vehicles. How and where can you sell your products that would be unexpected, revolutionary… and successful?
 
Changing the image of EV buyers
The vibe of the Coda stores attempts to draw a younger, hipper demographic than the older earthy-crunchy crowd that has originally been associated with electric cars. How can you tweak the environment of your store to attract a new generation of loyal shoppers?
 
Unexpectedly great service
Coda is also revolutionary on the service side. According to what I’ve read, when your car needs service they will come to you, pick up your vehicle, fix it and return it to you. What are some new ways you can provide unexpectedly great service?
 
Read more about Coda on CNET.