http://www.asrbiz.com

Three is the magic number to remember for the ASR tradeshow.  Three letters that stand for Action Sports Retailer, three times a year, and for each event three days of active wear in Southern California.  ASR is approaching its 25th anniversary that showcases the ever-expanding sportswear market for apparel and accessories.  Attendees include more than 5000 action sports brands and nearly 7,000 retail buyers, with spring/ summer shows in San Diego, fall previews in Huntington Beach, and also caters a holiday market in Newport Beach. 

The ASR Fact Sheet states that this industry event provides and organizes a venue for buyers and manufacturers to meet, sell, buy, exchange ideas, market and network.  This convention also offers insight on what trends are happening in urban and street wear apparel and is open to explore other markets such as motocrossing.  Youth culture products and services reflect popular recreational and professional sports such as surfing, skating, swimming, and snowboarding.  With the increase of conscientiousness about wellness, the benefits of physical fitness and lifestyle practice, ASR provides the largest tradeshow of its kind featuring established and emerging brands this side of the West Coast from national as well as international companies.

ASR is endorsed by Surf Industry manufacturers Association (SIMA) and International Association of Skateboard Manufacturers (IASC).  Past exhibitions have included skate and motocross demos, fashion shows, DJ appearances, and premieres for films relative to this specialty market.  Visit their website to view calendar dates, event information, ASR lineups, press releases and more.

Reviewed by Library staff member – Glenda Ronduen

The Starbucks Experience – 5 Principles For Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary is more than just a management “how to” on turning out happy employees or how to create a better working environment. This particular book captures the essence of what has taken Starbucks from the little coffee shop at Seattle’s Pike’s Peak Market in Seattle to a multi-national success story with over 11,000 stores worldwide. Included within are ways of motivating your employees, how to create a productive working environment and how to be a good corporate citizen. Customer satisfaction is also a major tenet of the Starbucks business model. They believe that consistency is of primary importance in keeping their customers coming back day after day and that this is not achieved merely by happenstance. 

Michelli outlines five principles that can be applied to your career or business:

Principle 1: Make It Your Own
Principle 2: Everything Matters
Principle 3: Surprise And Delight
Principle 4: Embrace Resistance
Principle 5: Leave Your Mark

Each one of these principles is outlined in its own chapter explaining each principle in detail and giving examples of how Starbucks has applied these theories in the day-to-day running of their company. This book is very easy to read and the suggestions Michelli are applicable not only to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, but small business owners and professionals from all walks of life.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member – Monika Earle