The Mann Group

???Are You an Enabling Leader or an Empowering Leader???? Great leaders don’t just solve problems—they build teams that thrive independently. ?? Enabling leaders often step in to “save the day,” but empowering leaders guide growth, foster autonomy, and create lasting success. Which type of leader are you? ?? ? Shift from enabling to empowering by: ? Asking, not telling ? Encouraging ownership ? Celebrating progress Empower your team and watch them soar! ?? #Leadership #TeamGrowth #Empowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #Innovation

???From Discounts to Abundance: A Holiday Mindset Shift??? This holiday season, let’s rethink the?discount culture. Instead of focusing on?taking, embrace the power of?anticipationand?giving! ?? Here’s the key: ?? Anticipate what your customers need—before they ask. ?? Create experiences that show care and connection, not just transactions. ?? Build inclusive cultures by giving without expecting recognition. ? Remember, it’s not about how much you discount; it’s about how much value you bring. Turn scarcity into abundance and create meaningful connections with your team and customers this season. Ask yourself:?Am I a giver or a taker??Then go out and?give?without hesitation. ?? What does this look like for you? Share your thoughts below! ?? #HolidaySeason #GiveMindset #AnticipateAndGive #InclusiveCulture #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth

?? Rethinking Retail: Reciprocity, Synergy, and Connection ?? As we dive into Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, let’s pause to reimagine what retail could be. What if we built relationships rooted in reciprocity and synergy—creating value together rather than just making transactions? ?? Reciprocity: Giving back in response to receiving—kindness, service, or value. ? Synergy: Collaborating to achieve outcomes greater than the sum of individual efforts. What does this look like in retail? Asking BIG questions to understand customers deeply: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? What will we be celebrating a year from now? Creating joy and connection like a Taylor Swift concert, where even local economies thrive (e.g., $100M for Indianapolis during her tour!). Fostering relationships that transform, not just transact. The result? Retail becomes more than shopping—it’s a celebration of connection, a spark of joy, and a source of shared transformation. ?? How are you creating synergy in your business? Drop a comment and share your thoughts! ?? #RetailTransformation #Reciprocity #Synergy #CustomerConnection #MeaningfulCommerce

Celebrating 70 Years of Inspiration: Dan Mann's Legacy of Passion, Growth, and Impact Yes, it’s true: Dan Mann, who doesn’t look a day over 55, is turning 70! “Inspire the Passion to Change, Learn, and Grow” is not just our mission statement; it’s Dan’s personal philosophy. He created it and lives it every single day. Many of you reading this have been touched by Dan’s mission in one way or another. When he founded The Mann Group, his goal was clear: to be the best single dad to Hank and Kent, and to build his own business from the ground up. Along the way, he’s inspired thousands of retailers, brands, and leaders, helping them realize their potential and walking alongside them as they grew. We believe in celebrating those who have made an impact on our lives. If you have a moment, please leave a comment or send Dan a message to share how he’s influenced you, your business, or your team. #happybirthday #70 #entrepreneur #inspire #passion

?? The Hidden Cost of Discount Culture: What Are We Really Paying? ??? Ever feel that rush when scoring a great deal? A sale tag may offer a quick dopamine hit, but behind every discount, there’s a deeper cost to consider. In our latest article, we explore how discount culture impacts more than just price: ?? Brands spend years building quality and value into their products—discounts often undermine their hard work and brand trust. ?? Retailers face the challenge of balancing relationships with brands and customers, risking integrity and long-term partnerships when trust is broken. ?? Consumers experience fleeting satisfaction, only to feel disappointment and FOMO soon after. ?? What’s the alternative? Building a culture of value and quality, where lasting satisfaction replaces the “winner takes all” mindset. Brands and consumers alike benefit when we go beyond the bargain. ? Read more to understand the full picture of discount culture and how we can all shift toward true, lasting value. #BrandValue #DiscountCulture #TrueWorth #RetailInsight #ConsumerPsychology #QualityOverQuantity #shoplocal #leadingchange

?? This Week’s Message: Choosing What We Can Control ?? Last week, we started diving into *discounting vs. reciprocity*, but with Election Day here, it feels like a good moment to pause and refocus. Next week, we’ll pick up where we left off, but for now, let’s lean into a gentle reminder—both for myself and for you. Election results? Out of our control. ? The economy’s ups and downs? Out of our control. ? Even natural disasters. Out of our control. As Charles R. Swindoll said, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." So, what can we actually control? ?? What We *Can* Control - Setting boundaries ? - Our thoughts and actions ? - The goals we set ? - Where we focus our energy ? - Our self-talk ? - How we handle challenges Through today, the month, and the year’s end, we can choose to live a better story by responding intentionally to what happens around us. ?? What We Can Influence ? Stephen Covey’s *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People* reminds us to focus on our circle of influence. We can: - Seek to Understand: Listen with empathy and suspend judgment. ? - Aim for Win-Win: Strive for outcomes that lift everyone. ? - Create Synergy: Respect and openness can make the whole greater than its parts. As Viktor Frankl wisely wrote, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." Today, let’s step into that freedom. ?? #GrowthMindset #Empowerment #FocusOnWhatMatters

?? **Rethinking Retail: The Power of Reciprocity Over Discounting** In the coming weeks, we at The Mann Group are taking a closer look at an often-misunderstood aspect of retail—discounting. It’s tempting to view discounts as a quick win, but is it truly a win for your business or your customers? ??? **Discounting vs. Reciprocity** ? Discounting may provide a short-term boost, but it often sends a message of scarcity or undervaluing. It can erode trust and diminish a product’s perceived worth. By contrast, reciprocity—the principle of giving back without expecting a direct return—fosters loyalty, goodwill, and genuine connection. It’s an approach that nurtures long-term relationships without sacrificing value. ?? **Building a Culture of Reciprocity** ? After recent events in our local Asheville community, we’ve seen how reciprocity strengthens bonds and resilience. Simple gestures—listening to a customer, offering real value—can go far beyond any discount, creating a cycle of giving that supports both the business and the community. Let’s shift the focus from discounts to meaningful interactions. Next week, we’ll explore strategies to build customer relationships through a culture of giving. Join us in redefining success through reciprocal value, for a stronger, more sustainable retail experience. #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #TheMannGroup #ReciprocityOverDiscounts #CommunityResilience #hurricanehelene #wnc?

?? Finding a New Normal ?? Leslie’s sister always said, “If you’re going through something difficult, find someone who has been through something similar and gain insight from their experience.” That’s exactly what Leslie did. She sat down with Michael Rivarde, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, to gain wisdom from his experience and share it with our community. ? This week, we have been sharing highlights from their conversation, starting with the word normal. How do you find "normal" when everything familiar is gone? Michael was just 12 years old when his family evacuated to Houston during Hurricane Katrina. On the Saturday after the storm, he turned on the TV expecting cartoons, but instead, he saw images of his church, school, and home underwater. His new reality hit him hard that day, and his journey to finding a new normal began. ?? In the midst of devastation, our idea of normal changes forever, but from that change, a new normal can rise. Stay tuned for more snippets of this powerful conversation throughout the week. To watch the full video go to our link in bio. #HurricaneKatrina #FindingNormal #Resilience #CommunityWisdom #NewBeginnings #hurricanehelene #wnc #shoplocal #reciprocity?

We Believe in YES! At the heart of our mission is The Achiever—a concept we've passionately discussed, trained, and advocated for over the years. According to Dr. Bell, an achiever is someone who consistently sets and achieves goals, embracing it as a way of life. We've developed innovative methods to accurately measure achievers and identify the key competencies that drive their success. Our approach also includes strategies for measuring, training, and tracking team members who may resist the achievement mindset. Using emotional intelligence as a core tool, we empower staff to overcome challenges and embrace a culture of achievement. #leadership #achiever #mindset #bethechange