Sunday Morning Coffee - January 23, 2011

Let's get warm with some Sunday Morning Coffee?  Not a bunch of  business news, Sunday Morning Coffee is more like that visit between friends at the local cafe or coffee shop.  The things, small and large, that made an impact last week and a peek into next.  And, because it's a conversation feel free to leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, connect on Twitter or visit my Facebook Page. 

I was looking over what I just wrote and thought back to a conversation I had with a person a couple of weeks ago.  He said, "You're the hardest person to find..."  My answer.. "Do you have a computer?"  He:  "Oh, I never thought of that..."

This was nice - Last week a friend and non-client called me with a question about his business.  He said he was not having getting enough traffic to his website and asked if it was time for him to start buying "traditional media".  (Here is the article I posted on the question and my answer.)  On Friday a package arrived with a gift card and a "thank you" note.  Classy...really.  Not expected nor asked for but it shows character.  Thank you...back.

This was rude - I was giving a seminar about the use of social media  for business.  The focus of the event was using SM to build relationships and how any size business can increase sales by listening and responding to consumers.  Jeff Houden the owner of Select Publishing had this comment during Q&A: "I agree with you but you left out the most effective form of marketing to farmers and that is e-mail marketing, something we do."  And went on with his commercial...  Jeff, read the second sentence of this paragraph...  Yikes.

If you missed it, here is a brief video from Orlando and some comments from attendees:

 

This was scary - If you are a progressive your job may be in danger?  This week Keith Olbermann was relieved of his duties at MSNBC.  I enjoyed his caustic comments and I balance them with the caustic comments of Bill O'Reilly.  Ominous in this is the fact that he was the #1 rated anchor on MSNBC but that didn't mean much to the new owners of NBC.  The FCC approved the Comcast majority holdings of NBC and their first act was to remove Olbermann. Here is the story from Yahoo News.  

This was educational - His name is "Sam" and he was my driver who  took me to the airport on Friday morning.  "Sam" is an interesting guy.  I asked him where he was from and when he said, "Uzbekistan" I answered, "Really, I was just reading about Uzbekistan and their farm trade shows."  He was...shocked, "You know Uzbekistan?  The majority of people I drive have no idea and think I mean Pakistan."  We talked for 15 minutes about the people, culture, politics and economy of his country and then he said, "I'm driving now but I want to get into fashion design, it's what I did in Uzbekistan and I'm looking for a break here in the US."  I hope so Sam...and welcome to the a place where anything is possible.  Thanks for the education.

"Sam" had to drive me because the Mears Transportation Group of Orlando failed to deliver on their end of a transaction.  (But they do have a fancy website.)  I had the 10:50AM shuttle reserved from the Doubletree Resort to the airport.  I had called to make sure they were on time and assured they were.  They were not.  At 11:10AM, fearing I'd miss a flight, I met "Sam".

OK John Maxwell, we've got to meet! - Four times, while on this trip, individuals walked up to me and said, "You're John Maxwell!" or "Mr. Maxwell, I love your books." or "You've got to be him, you even sound like him!".  The Delta flight attendant, who's been on the job for 25 years, said, "Has anybody told you you look and sound like John Maxwell?  He and his wife have been on my flights in the past and I had to check the passenger list to make sure."  Really?   I just know John Maxwell is a great guy!  But, he wouldn't have been flying "Coach".

 

If you've not done so I'd encourage you to read the book, Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh one of the founders of Zappos. You should do this for several reasons:  1)  Learn how Tony "grew up" and became a leader.  It's not the primary reason he wrote the book but the messages are there.  2)  Learn how focusing on consumers/customers can build your business.  Not lip service .  3)  You can't copy the Zappos Culture but you can understand how to start building your own.  4)  It wasn't easy...it took work and personal sacrifice (see #1).    Here is the link to Delivering Happiness. 

I thought you might like this - Here is a photo of the "trays" used at the  Orlando Airport.  You know...those trays you must put your shoesin...  I'd not seen this before but very cool and on message for Zappos.  So, now...no matter what size your business what can you link to that puts your brand in front of folks that is also true to your brand?  Think about it...

From our "Boneheaded Idea of the Week" department - Seems Iowa lawmaker State Sen. Steve Kettering (R) Storm Lake, says that "...because most Iowan's have rejected the 55 mph speed limit..." we should raise it to 60 mph.  Sound reasoning.  Bet I could find evidence that says "...because most Iowa teens would like to see beer served in the lunch room..." we could consider lowering the drinking age to...what thirteen? Here is the story from the Des Moines Register.

I see that a NEW tradition has started in Des Moines - Central Iowa Bloggers (CIB) now meets in two locations; the Panera Bread on University inWest Des Moines (original location) and Panera Bread Downtown.  The original group meets (very informal by the way) the first Friday of each month starting as soon as Andrew B. Clark gets there (about 6AM). The Downtown group meets, it looks like the 3rd Friday of the month...also early in the morning.  Spreading the word about business/personal blogging and...a friendship.  Very nice. 

While I was gone my bride painted a bathroom.  She does this kind of a thing often...when I'm gone.  Wonder if I left for a week what might happen?   Very cool and thank you!!  Looks great huh - before and after shots.

Building market share before you open up your doors - They're back...  Our friends from Gusto Pizza Co. continue to build market share for the new restaurant long before the doors open.  Over the past 20 days they have been posting videos telling the story of "The Mothership" (their pizza oven) and casting their people in the leading roles.  If you want a text book case on how to secure a "tribe" in advance of opening...here you go.  Brilliant!  

 

 

Advertising and marketing people look at things...differently - even  hotel rooms.  -It's because we're always viewing our world in the eyes of consumers...first.  While at the Doubletree Resort in Orlando I noticed a design flaw that I bet was created by men...approved by men and never considered by...a women.  The rooms here are very cool...but the "bath area lighting" needs help.  At the seminar I asked how many women in the group liked the bathroom and mirror area.  Not a hand went up...  Why?  Too dark for makeup and hair.  Trust me on this...  By the way...none of the guys "got it".

OK...going to get this out while it's still Sunday Morning.  Thanks for coming by and again, because it's a conversation...love to hear from you.

Leave you with a little....gusto...new TODAY:

 

Michael