Sunday Morning Coffee - January 10, 2010

It's a habit...sitting down with friends and sharing some Sunday Morning Coffee.  Not a bunch of business just a look back and a glimpse forward into the new week.  Enjoy and, as always, I'm interested in your thoughts.

When was the last time somebody told you it was a "blessing" to do business with you?   Me either.  But that's what happened this past week when my bride checked into a Super 8 Motel in Lamoni, Iowa.  That got us to thinking, "What if...what if we looked at every business relationship with that attitude?   Here is the original post... 

Back when we had a much kinder political climate I was avid with my opinion.  But, now that all of politics is hateful, mean spirited and has the charm of gorilla warfare I pretty much keep quiet.  I figure I'm not going to change anybody's opinion and hysterical rants are best left to others.  But I have to offer a suggestion to Dave Funk who is running for Congress in Iowa's 3rd District against incumbent Leonard Boswell.  Dave, smile more.   Really.   Saw you and Doug Mitchell (Operation Red State) at Panera Bread during Central Iowa Bloggers on Friday morning...  I know that what you are doing is serious but scowling at everybody you make eye contact with may not be the best way to influence folks. ;-)

They say we might reach 35 degrees this week...now there is something to smile about. 

Next week I get to speak to members of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce about marketing, advertising and why social media is one of the tools they need to use.  The vast majority of the small business people attending will be confused and dismissive about the topic. Until I finish...sounds like fun!

Last week, because of the blizzard, we had to cancel a Des Moines based meeting for members of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA).  I made mention of that on Facebook.  Except I didn't spell out the actual name.  That prompted several to quip that if a little Iowa blizzard forced "FEMA" to cancel a meeting, "what would they do in the face of a hurricane?"  We would built hay machinery...not sure what THEY would do.  (See...another reason to smile!)

Staying on "farm" for just a minute.  This week will mark the debut of AG CONNECT a brain child of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).  The idea is to put on an "international farm equipment show" in Orlando before and between other major farm shows like The World Ag Expo in Tulare, The National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville and AgriTechnica in Germany.  Prediction:  It will fail. (My opinion only...)  You see, unlike the construction industry, think Con-Expo the massive show produced by AEM, the farm show industry is very mature with at least a dozen huge events each year.  Adding another expensive show to the schedule...now?   We don't think so...but they do win in the "website battle"...very cool logo as well.

Dear Treasury Department: "Thank you for the 2008 income tax refund check in the amount of $461 that came the second week of 2010. You guys have been pretty busy sending huge checks to everybody from AIG to Wall Street to Detroit so I can understand why it took so long.  One question:  Can you send more?"  ;-)

I was listening to Bob & Tom last week and they had this survey from Cosmo:  "The Top Five Things Men Notice about Women in the First Ten Seconds".   1) The Smile (see Dave!), 2) The Hair, 3) The Makeup, 4) The Purse, 5) The Cleavage.   THE PURSE????   As one of the guys said, "They must have polled gay men!"  Ya think?

That's it....have a great Sunday.  We're back with more business stuff tomorrow.  In the meantime you can connect with us on Twitter:  @MichaelLibbie (personal & business), @InsightADV (business baby...all business) or @RuralLifeRadio (our love for all things rural). Take care...and smile dang it!