The Digital Islandor

(Tips for creating and running a successful Kiosk)

By Logan Winchester

7 tips for creating and running a successful Kiosk

By Logan Winchester

7- Building a relationship with your mall’s management

This is probably one of the most important factors when it comes to the kiosk world, as with everything in life it’s all about the relationships you build, and building one with the mall so that all parties are on the same page is crucial. It will help you throughout the entirety of your time at the kiosk and beyond. Being on good terms with them will also allow your location to be a part of events. The most helpful piece of this relationship would be the ease in which assistance and “green lights” for ideas will come from the malls side.

6- Create a Visual Story

As you go about putting your vision together think about the story you want to tell with each particular section of the kiosk while still upholding whatever predetermined visual layout provided to you by either the company or the mall. The one thing to keep in mind is to “have it all make sense”. One area of the Aventura kiosk I’m especially proud of is the Digital imaging section. By strategically placing the hardware and accessories together you not only present the guests with options but you put together an eye catching display for everyone to enjoy.

5- Be Innovative

Innovation is an integral part of the creative process because you will come upon roadblocks via functionality or in the event that you encounter the “visually impaired” (those who lack creativity). I myself had to deal with both of these obstacles, and on both occasions I was able to find a way to still have my “look” come together. When putting together the D.I. section of the kiosk I instantly knew it was going to be impossible to fit all of the products necessary in one area tastefully and secure. The kiosk given to us by the mall had shelves on both sides making it quite difficult to properly display and secure items like our alphas and their lenses. I noticed others around us had large glass cases that acted as appendages giving it a whole new look while still providing proper storage space. I quickly requested the mall provide one for us and they gladly did. So if you find yourself limited in terms of space and functionality, create it! Overcoming a roadblock like the malls rules for a kiosk might be a little trickier but that doesn’t mean that you should stop, use your wit! The front part of the Aventura kiosk is the Playstation area, I was informed by the mall that we couldn’t have products on the floor, So I used PS3 dummy boxes and hurricane taped them to the kiosk cabinet making them float of the ground this is a perfect example of using your creative wit to not compromise your vision while still adhering to the rules of the mall.

4- Make it Interactive

Interactivity is key! The kiosk is an open market but it can’t be boring, guests need to be able to interact with the products. Both visually, and physically. Display products should be bright, clean, and have eye catching contact looping. Our DI section recently added some laptops So I decided to place them next to cameras and then have those laptops looping content based on the camera it’s next to. Our Playstation area is by far the most interactive, having a working Playstation there with demo games so everyone can take part in the experience we create for guests.

3- Give the guests options

Aside from everything you’ve set up and displayed to complete the story you have to gives guests the complete solution! Having products displayed with accessories around them will not only allow you to always remember to offer them to our guests but to give them that choice of different solutions for the purchase the will make.

2- Become Neighborly

Being at a kiosk opens up a whole new world of possibilities. One way this works is by becoming familiar with the surrounding stores and being creative on how an alliance might benefit both parties. One of the stores near us is Michael Kors, our fantastic fashion centric DM opened up a whole world of possibilities for us by simply introducing herself. She gave us the in and we sealed the deal. We came up with the idea of having a joint event during the week of Valentine’s day, a known time of the year where their sales spike. They were gracious enough to let us be a part of it and have our products displayed amongst theirs. We had one of our reps there not only interacting with the guests and talking up our products but more importantly capturing customers information to update them on our Grand Re-Opening in April! Pretty straight forward and it worked like a charm! The continuing benefit of it all is that when they have clients that are interested in products that Sony can provide, then Michael Kors is always going to send them our way, because of that relationship that was built! Sharon taught us the benefit of becoming neighborly

And the #1 tip for creating and running a successful Kiosk is…

1- Effectively select and train associates for the Kiosk environment

Certain things come into play when selecting associates. Dynamics, location and performance. Choosing associates who will mesh together well and work as a team is of utmost importance. Here at Aventura our guests are 85% Brazilian so therefore it would also be most beneficial to select those associates who speak the language it will help drive the business further and also ensure returning guests, cause they all talk. Finally performance is a no brainer, in a kiosk world you have to be more tenacious, hungrier, and really have a drive to succeed. That will be the only way to ensure a successful run while you’re there.

Having a great team who supports you and adds to your vision is essential. It will be the ultimate determining factor of the success of your kiosk!