Awaken

Blog Moving

2009-07-14T09:36:00.002-05:00

Hey Followers,

I'm in the process of moving my blog. I will no longer be posting to AwakenJC.blogspot.com

Look for my future posts at www.JCRiey.com

Right now it may seem kind of barren, but, after a couple of slow blogging months, moving my old posts to there and posting new thoughts for you to read are a priority.

Phone Help From Google

2009-07-10T09:49:00.002-05:00

Grand Central is now open as Google Voice. This free service has great features. They are currently only letting former Grand Central users get numbers, but you may sign up to receive notification when it's opened to everyone.

I played with my new number yesterday and love the ability to place "call me" widgets on websites, so that visitors can contact you without getting your number. It also rings my office phone and cell phone simulaneously allowing me to answer in my car or at my desk. The best thing is that it transcribes the voice messages to texts and sends me an SMS message as well as an email so I may listen or read it.

Check it out & sign up.

Babies On Skates

2009-07-09T12:36:00.002-05:00

I saw a video on YouTube a few days ago that featured some toddlers rockin' roller skates to a hip hop beat. It was a plug for Evian to show how drinking water (in particular Evian water) would make you feel young and energetic.

Great job Evian. They have grabbed the attention of millions. I noticed it being a feature on news broadcasts this morning and do to the viral nature of the video, it's been riding in the top 10 on the Google Trends charts nearly all day. Cleaning up on views. By creating a funny video that people can relate to and making it easily circulated on the web, they've gained a great viral advertising campaign. I doubt the need to air the video in the US will even arise. By the time it hits the air waves, most will have already seen it due to the viral - if I like it, I'll spread it - nature of the web.

Below is the video that is creating a realm of new Evian (naive in reverse) water drinkers.

Genius: The Title

2009-05-08T10:22:00.003-05:00

If you've seen my business card or read my FaceBook, Twitter, or LinkedIn profiles, you may have noticed the title listed - "Marketing Genius". There's a really simple story behind that.

When my brother and I began All For HIM Marketing Solutions Inc., we were asked our titles by our accountant while filling out legal documents. We looked back and forth and considered it a funny situation because we've always joked about the 1-5 person businesses where someone calls themselves the CEO, President or some other ivory tower sounding name just to give their ego a boost. This was the opportunity of a lifetime for us. If we had the invitation to create our own title, and could boost our ego with it all we wanted... why not be geniuses? Done. My official title with AFH Marketing Solutions is: JC Riley - Marketing Genius.

Until lately, I've never caught any flack about it and most considered it light hearted and humorous. That is until last week. Someone saw my title as Marketing Genius on my LinkedIn profile and decided to post a FaceBook comment on the matter that generated some responses.

Here's the deal. It's great to hand my card to someone who notices the title and asks about it. I get to smile and laugh about it with them. Then the normally say something like... "I'll remember that". To which my reply is... "That's the idea behind it. What else would you expect from a Marketing Genius?" :)

Consider the Merriam-Webster definition of the term genius.

"a person who influences another for good or bad"

This is what I do. I help people consider all of their marketing options, decipher the best plan of action for them, and help them move in that direction. My job is to influence people. I choose to influence for what I believe is best for them and stay in the good. Not my fault that someone decided to question my use of a word before first finding its meaning. You can tell by my punctuation and spelling that I'm no English major. That's why I turned to Merriam-Webster.

Last but not least. Thanks to this person for commenting about it on line and drawing responses. It made you talk, which made others talk. Kind of viral, huh. That's what marketing guru Seth Godin might call remarkable. Seems like it worked even with those questioning the move.

What Is It About 15 Minutes?

2009-04-29T12:05:00.003-05:00

I was talking with a friend yesterday when the subject came up of how people measure time. I'm not talking about how long a second or minute is. What I mean is how perception correlates with certain incremental time values. We came to the conclusion that 15 minutes is a major time value. What is it about 15 Minutes?

Waiting in the doctor's exam room. - A 5 or 10 minute wait is fine but once 15 minutes is reached, your temperature boils and you feel devalued and mistreated as a patient.

Showing up for a doctor's appointment. - Less than 15 minutes late and nobody cares. Once you've surpassed the 15 minute mark, you must reschedule your appointment.

Business Meeting. - Show up 10 minutes late and your counterpart will likely say something like "I just arrived too". Let the minute hand strike 15 and you'll receive a phone call wondering where you're at.

Meeting a Client - Show up 5 minutes early and the person you're meeting with will begin to prepare for your appointment. Show up 15 min early and your client will feel rushed and as if you're pressuring. They'll also likely stall you until after your scheduled meeting time.

Just an observation here. I also believe this time buffer is shrinking due to the instant real time world that the net has given us.

My general rule of thumb is to never be late to a meeting and to never arrive more than five minutes early. This generally means arriving in plenty of time to allow for any unexpected slow downs. But then sitting in the parking lot until the 5 minutes prior mark is reached.

Your thoughts on the subject?

Jesus And the Internet

2009-04-27T13:47:00.005-05:00

What do Jesus and the Internet have in common?

Let me explain this way... My mother always told me that Jesus could see everything you did. Now she could say that Jesus and the Internet see everything you do. You can find just about anything in a person's history on the web. There are eyes and ears attached to fingers clicking away on keyboards everywhere. They provide a great commentary about your every decision that you or your organization make. Chances are that someone somewhere will record your moves. Unfortunately, they're much more likely to record the mistakes you'd rather get past than the successes you'd like to define you.

I recently received a resume from a local college student that will be graduating soon and is ready to enter the world of marketing. After reviewing his resume, what was my next step? Google. I decided to see what I could find on this guy from the web. Hey, if web search is what we do, I need to be sure my team doesn't embarrass AFH Marketing on the web.

So, what did I find on the young job seeker? Well we got quite a laugh out of a pretty silly mishap he had with the police and a college party a few years ago but he's since been quiet as far as police scanners go and has been working on more promising press for himself.

My goal is that when someone searches for JC Riley or AFH Marketing, they find plenty of things that would assure them of how our organization is able to aide them in their growth venture. I'd rather not spend my energy explaining the crazy story of what happened with the cops.

How do you and your organization stack up? Search yourself before someone else does.

Don't Do Nothing

2009-04-24T10:20:00.004-05:00

I'll take today to refer you to some words from Seth Godin about what companies should do in the tough economic times. It may seem safe to do nothing in slow economic times but the organizations that grow will try something new and triumph over those who do nothing. Making their seemingly safe stall cause them to lose in the end.

Do something. Anything. But don't just try to wait it out and do nothing!

Don't Be A Gas Pump

2009-04-23T13:37:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered why pre paying for gas slows the pump? Not the entire time but it seems to take just as long to pump the last 25 cents as the rest of the pre paid amount because the pump slows as it nears the end of my purchase.

I wonder how many people say forget it and leave with 10 cents of paid for gas left on the meter.
I also wonder how much extra revenue this brings to a gas station over the course of a year (10 cents at a time).
More importantly I wonder how many customers are frustrated with the process like I am.
Businesses should give their customers the same great service at the end of a transaction as they do at the beginning.
Too many businesses are ran like gas pumps.

Don't be a gas pump.

Know Your Role

2009-04-21T09:48:00.003-05:00

Many businesses struggle with this. Does yours?

Wal Mart and 7-11 know they provide terrible customer experiences. Picture yourself standing in the endless line at Wally World while the under trained employee struggles to scan and bag the basket full of goods 5 people in front of you. Meanwhile you notice that only six of the fifty available registers are manned. Or, you swing in to buy gas and need to wait in a huge line at the 7-11 to pre-pay for your gas, all the while knowing you'll need to wait in that same line again to receive your change when done filling up. Does it bother you to see the 3 or 4 employees roaming the "convenience" store while only one is serving customers? I can't name one person that loves these experiences.

So why do you and I continue to use these venues? They know their role in the market place. They have convenient locations and generally low prices. The clientele they're after are willing to trade some customer service for better prices.

Now, shop at the Buckle. You will have an employee dedicated to helping you find what you need and rarely wait to be served. However, you'll pay around $75 for an entry level pair of jeans and $30 for a t-shirt. Their customers are willing to pay a premium price for the experience they gain by shopping there.

Do you know your role? What trade are you asking your clients to make? If you require a premium price, you should provide a premium experience for your customers. If your customers will receive anything less than a premium experience, they will expect to be compensated for that in form of a lower than competitive price. Most industries have a hard time providing both the best experience and the lowest prices around. If you can't you should pick one and exploit your choice.

Down Goes Starbucks 2

2009-04-16T06:30:00.001-05:00

I've had a ton of people contacting me about last weeks post, Down Goes Starbucks. So, I thought I'd expand a bit on some of the conversation I've been having with people about it.

Starbucks has lost site of what they are selling. People do not show up to buy a $5 cup of coffee. They became loyal to a $1.50 cup of coffee in a value pack with a $20 experience for the low price of $5. When they buy the pack, they just associate it with the cup of coffee. The coffee is great but not the real reason the company took off so fast. There are other places that make great coffee. Starbucks thought people loved the coffee so found a more efficient way to focus on getting more coffee into more hands when in the very process they eliminated the reason people bought it. This is a mistake that's easy to make in any organization.

For instance take many of the large churches that have sprung up in around the country in the last 15 years or so. They coupled an awesome, eye and attention grabbing worship service with a great spoken message and a plethora of activities members could get involved in. They grow and ad other locations or worship times. Next thing you know, they have members that are extremely diversified and the only thing they absolutely have in common is the spoken message they hear. So, that becomes the only common ground it's members are sure to share. The speaker is the coffee. Great but not the only great speaker out there. Next thing you know, though, the organization is finding a more efficient way to get that speaker into the hands of as many people as possible. This means cutting some of the intangible things that created the community that really drew the people in the first place.

The organization begins to plateau as the arrival of newcomers slows and only the nostalgic remain to fantasize about the days past. They are lucky enough to have made relationships when community was a huge focus. Whereas those newcomers rarely stick due to lack of programs and activities to help them plug in.

What are your customers really buying? Is it your product, service, relationship, atmosphere, memories created, or some other intangible. Focus on that, even if it's not what they talk about, it may be that which can't be measured that's truly bringing them in.

Go Home - That's An Order

2009-04-15T08:17:00.003-05:00

Why do so many people choose to work so many hours rather than head home to be with the ones they love? Even if someones answer has something to do with how much they love their job or how honorable their profession is, it began with an insecurity one day. The insecurity that I am talking about is the one created when an employee is loaded consistently with more than can be completed without robbing precious time from their family.

I lived in that world once. I was working for a great organization with a chance to directly impact lives every day with the work I was doing. I believe there is a scene in the movie that describes how I felt about that job. It's the one in the movie Major League where the big dumb catcher stops his team mates in the middle of an argument and complaining about the team and says something to the effect of how lucky they are to get to play a game for a living. They were getting payed to play ball and that should be a dream come true. Well, that's how I felt. I was getting paid to play ball and it was a dream come true. That dream soon became a nightmare due to one thing... TIME.

I was consistently required to be at events in the evenings and was unable to make up the time during the day due to other work responsibilities needing to be done. I found myself working a full week and rarely able to take Friday (my day off) solely as family time. I put in every Saturday afternoon and evening as well as Sunday morning thru mid afternoon. Don't forget Wednesday nights and those were just the every week things. Ad in the "special occasions" that seemed to come up every week, and I was spending way too much time at work. Leadership with the organization would say things like "go home, make sure you spend time with your family". However, what was communicated or heard by employees was - go home and work late when your family is in bed so you'll be exhausted tomorrow because if you don't hit that deadline, it's not OK even though it's impossible to hit that deadline without robbing your family of that time. Oh and, for the record... I did say it was OK to go home and not worry about it. Weather I meant it or not.

This is where it is my goal to be different. I believe it is my job, as an employer, to make sure my team knows it's not only OK to go home and finish work later, but it's an order. Just let me know if you can't keep caught up in the agreed upon work time and we're good. This will never be a problem if you're here working hard when you're supposed to be at work. If you're working when supposed to be at home... you might hear me say. Go home - that's an order.

I believe that this will allow my team to have stronger relationships with friends and family and thus increasing their joy, loyalty, and productivity at work. It IS the responsibility of the employer. Regardless of what's said verbally, if your team feels pressure to steal time from their family to work... their leader is communicating the wrong thing some how.

Does your team feel that pressure? Or do they feel it's OK to let something at work wait until tomorrow? Really. Be honest with yourself.

I'll Call You Back Tomorrow

2009-04-14T06:26:00.000-05:00

I've got a friend who is a very successful real estate agent in the Edmond OK area. His name is Ryan Hukill and he sends a statement to everyone who calls on him. If you were to call Ryan and he was unable to answer your call on one of the first couple of rings, you would hear what seems to be a very standard voicemail message with his voice. However, finishing off his message he mentions out of respect for his family, any calls after 7pm will not be returned until the following day.

Ryan is a great guy and very humble. I'm sure he would tell you he's not perfect and has his struggles with balancing his family with his professional responsibilities. Ryan making a bold statement to everyone around him most importantly his wife and kids. When Ryan's phone rings, there's no doubt in their mind where they stand in relation to dad's work. He spends time working for them rather than spending time with instead of them.

Sure there may be hurried client that is inconvenienced by his decision, but Ryan has decided that is much better than cheating more time out of his wife and children that loan him to his clients enough as it is.

Ryan, you are an inspiration and I applaud your making this statement. I'm sure your family appreciates it too.

BTW... I'm changing my voicemail message today. Will you?

Cheater.

2009-04-13T06:01:00.000-05:00

I'm smack dab in the middle of a great book. Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley. This book is really making me look at the way I spend my time. You see, the book is based on the principle that all of us cheat. We have to. There are not enough hours in the day or enough energy drinks in the world to allow us to give all that our work needs, as well as all that our families need. So, we cheat. We cheat one out of that time and focus to complete the other. Most of us end up cheating our families to give more to our employers. I know I have.

Many times I've come home physically exhausted or mentally drained and give a sighing "not today" to my girls when they come and excitedly ask me to bounce them high on the trampoline, to do a puzzle with them, or their favorite - to have fight night where we wrestle and my girls rain down elbows, Thai kicks, and elbows to my sore body. My wife has also shared her heart in a spirit of love, not complaining, about wishing I could "turn off" my work when the day is done. She worries about my stressing over things left undone or sleepless nights spent improving job related strategies for a client.

I think the first step changing this scenario is this. Think of your kids getting ready for school this morning. What things were done or said that got their day off on the right foot? Did you make memories with them this morning? Now, think of your spouse and the conversation you had before going your separate ways today. What things are they doing today? Do they know without a doubt that you value them more than the accolades or rewards you will receive from your work today?

Now for step two. If the first step struck you, it's time to make a decision today. Right now you need to decide if tomorrow will resemble this morning. Will your spouse feel that he/she is taking a back seat to the "attaboys" or promotion possibilities? If not, I need you to take the rest of today and notice the times your family is made to feel inferior. See the wind fall out of your daughter's sails when you tell her you don't have time to do a puzzle with her. Let it make you mad. Absolutely become furious and vow to do something about it.

Coming up this week, I'd like to share about someone I've found who is doing it right and some things for employers to remember and where they fall into this scenario.

What are the ways you've seen yourself cheating your family for your career? What have you done about it?

Down Goes Starbucks

2009-04-10T10:10:00.003-05:00

I met a friend at a nearby Starbucks yesterday and found some interesting things. Here are the reasons I believe they are struggling still struggling right now as a company. I know they've made moves to save the brand but it seems to be backfiring due to making the wrong moves. This is my take and I'd love to hear yours.

Locations Closing - I know this was to shrink overhead, but seems to have created a list of other probems.

Crowding - It was a slightly chilly morning in Oklahoma City and we were forced to sit outside due to absolutely zero free seats in the place. When there was a neighborhood location on every corner, this wasn't a problem. Once many of the city-wide locations closed, overcrowding occurred. The locations left should have had a remodeling project to take in more clients. Individual places crowded but companywide locations slowing.
Atmosphere - Let's face it. People didn't fall in love with SB because they couldn't get their product elsewhere. It was because they provided an experience of a laid back, upscale environment for $5. That has turned into a loud bustling crowded chaos cooker.
Convenience - Having a neighborhood SB was convenient but now many people must pass several SB competitors to find a SB.

wifi - Why ask clients to pay for this? It's too cheap and I can get it anyplace else in town for free. I consistently meet clients at other locations who fall in love with their locally owned jewels.

Local Coffee Cafe's - Individually owned local brands are popping up in the neighborhoods vacated by SB that are offering all of the things SB no longer does.

Where do you get your brew?

While We Wait

2009-04-08T06:27:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday we learned that God has plans for us to have a great future. Today, I'd like to make sure we're all reminded in our role while waiting on this future to play out. Sometimes, it's tempting to just hang out and wait, saying things like "God will work it out" or "I'm just waiting to see what God's plan for me is". Bad choice. We should always be looking and listening for God and His direction. Ready to leap at His call, even if it's leading us toward a different future than we'd imagine. But, that's not a license to be lazy.

Take these words from the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 6:6-11 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. -NLT

Wow! These words don't hold anything back. If we just sit around waiting on God to deliver us from our troubles, we are the lazybones this passage speaks of. What can you do to help while you anticipate the plans for a hope and a future we talked about yesterday in Jeremiah 29:11? Did you post a resume and leave it? Do you contact job openings in the Sunday paper? Or, are you calling businesses and walking in their doors to let them know you are available and willing to do what it takes? Meanwhile, how about flipping burgers, or mowing a lawn or two (it's not just for 14yr old boys but for adults responsible enough to do what it takes).

Things I'm doing while (keyword while as in at the same time as) I wait for my business to grow to goal size include substitute teaching, working part time doing kids programs for Mad Science of OKC, tile installation (pulling from an old trade of mine). And any other thing someone needs help with that will aide my family in paying the bills.

What are you doing to make it through the tough economic stretch? Got any ideas?

Plans for a Future

2009-04-07T08:51:00.003-05:00

With the economic situation seeming to loom over us like a huge dark cloud, it's understandable how so many people can wonder what God could possibly have in store for them. I know if you're someone who has lost his/her job, or who's business is struggling to hang on, you may feel like giving up. You May feel like things will not get better and you were left out of whatever "plan" everyone is telling you that God has.

Take comfort in this. God's very own words.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes"... -NLT

I made a move to begin my own business as a marketing coach and web marketing specialist at the beginning of this year. I was previously making a good income working as a New Media Specialist for a large yellow page publisher. I know some may say it was a crazy move, however, I'm confident that God can and will honor my faith in Him as well as my business practices. I won't say that I don't get nervous (I'm human), and I can tell you that some days seem brighter than others. However, I know that once the curve that is and always has been our economic culture turns back up, it will be good to be moving and surviving already rather than trying to get in the game. I have a great future ahead of me. God says so.

So, now that we know that God loves us and has a plan for us. We also know we're not alone, we are all impacted by our economic climate in some way or another. So, do we just sit patiently and let His plan play out? Not a chance! God gives us specific instruction not to just sit waiting for Him to bail us out of our financial situation. What should you do? I'll give you a hint. Proverbs chapter 6. We'll discuss that in depth tomorrow.

What are you dealing with?

Speed vs. Quickness

2009-04-06T08:31:00.003-05:00

Speed is how fast or how much momentum you and your team or organization can gain in a certain direction or project. The higher your top speed, the harder it is for your competition to get in your way and slow you down.

Quickness is the ability of you or your organization to change direction and get to top speed of a different angle or on a project.

Too many times will I meet people who've confused the two as being the same thing. Many people and their organizations will focus on the speed of where they are heading and can't change direction when the market or their environment calls for it. Or, the person may be so over focused on being able to change things and react quickly, that they have great quickness but their top speed is so weak that they can't stay ahead of the curve for long.

The key is to have both. Give both things equal attention. You need both specialties on your team. You should have certain team members who have a top speed that is unrivaled and others who can help change direction with quickness that makes those changes in a heart beat. When you're team has both, you'll be able to gain and hold the lead in your field, no matter what changes your market throws at you.

Do you have both?

5 Keys To An Effective Networking Group

2009-04-01T13:00:00.004-05:00

Charge a Fee : When people have some "skin in the game" they will take the group and it's purpose more seriously.
Have Structure : Having clear leadership structure as well as a clear structure for your periodic meetings will ensure your meetings maintain their purpose. You can have coffee with friends any time but networking groups are for passing referrals and making money.
Don't Let Everyone In : Being selective of who may join your group will allow it's members to have more confidence in referring to other members as well as present somewhat of a "premier" image to the public of the group and it's members.
Market To The Public : Marketing to the public will get the word out to potential members but more importantly, will help the group as a whole become more of a recognized name and find clients outside the group who are loyal users of your network and it's members.
Reward Both Giving And Receiving : Rewarding the giving of referrals recognizes those who send their contacts to others in the group. Rewarding the receiving of referrals recognizes those doing the work to become trusted providers within the group. Those receiving the most referrals are often the people who are doing what it takes to know other group members and who are actively networking.

What would you ad to this list?

NBA Player Twitters

2009-03-31T07:54:00.000-05:00

Last week I heard this story about Charlie Villanueva catching grief over sending a Twitter message to fans during halftime of a basketball game. One report mentioned Villanueva not seeing the difference in tweeting at halftime vs. giving a locker room interview at halftime.

It seems really simple to me. Media organizations spend big money with the NBA and it's franchises to have access to players at such times. If info will be given out freely, why would those organizations bow at the feet of NBA execs for that access? My guess is that the problem was not in his lack of focus (though that was the reasoning given in public), but rather the leapfrog effect it took over his superiors to provide the info during high demand times. Villanueva took bargaining power from his execs by providing his comments free of charge.

Maybe he should be traded to the Mavericks where owner Mark Cuban sees the advantages of using social media to improve his marketing position.

I'm a user and fan of Twitter but would suggest anyone who uses it to not let it take away from their time they are being payed to work or from the leverage their employer has on their market. If those two things are followed... tweet away.

Tell Me Why

2009-03-30T06:05:00.000-05:00

I filled in as a substitute teacher last Friday at a high school near my home. The coach who I was filling in for, left nothing but a sheet of riddles for the students to ponder to kill the time (yes, the teacher was a coach... stereotype accomplished). Having dealt with teens before, I knew that I had to make the riddles worth their time. Teens are no different from any other person you'll come in contact with. If they feel like you are being disrespectful of them, they're more likely to treat you with disrespect. And wasting anyone's time (even a teenager's) with "busy work" that wouldn't have any impact on them or the reason why they are there, is disrespectful.

The class was supposed to be a teen leadership class, so, I decided to explain why the riddles were important in leadership. We did the riddles together as a class. Then discussed how many of the riddles had different possible answers. The great thing was that some of the students had answers but couldn't explain why or how their answers were correct. One student even looked up the answers on his iPhone but still couldn't explain why the answer he had written down was correct. Therefore other students were doubtful and reluctant to follow his lead in writing down his answers. It was clear to see, however, that some other students had a reason for answering a certain way, were passionate about it, and could communicate that reasoning and therefore were able to lead the rest of the group to their way of thinking and even to changing their answer.

The key to this: Understanding and being able to clearly communicate why you believe a certain way or believe in taking certain action is more important in building a following than whether or not you know the expected "correct" answer. Many times people are willing to take a chance and follow you if they know why. Life is not an elementary school flash card. People don't care who's first in shouting a flippant solution. Knowing why your solution is best, and being able to communicate that with passion to you followers is key.

Are there things you're sure of but you're not sure why you're sure?

Holy Discontent

2009-03-27T06:10:00.002-05:00

I often hear people talk about wondering what to do with their lives. I've even wondered myself. Now, I'm not talking about whether to spend my Saturday watching college basketball or roaming "children's expo" to show my kids all sorts of cool toys they'll never own. I'm talking about people wondering every day what they can do to make a difference. How can I leave a legacy. Everyone wants to have that feeling that once they take the long nap, their work will live on, either through their children or through the people who's lives have been touched by their work.

The answer to this question is quite simple. Everyone should align their life toward their holy discontent. What is holy discontent? Oh, well that's pretty simple actually. Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv is who I first heard speak of this. I've since heard people describe it in many ways and noticed that Bill Hybels has even written a book about it (e-version). I'll describe it like this. - Holy discontent is different in every person. It's a certain situation, injustice, illness, etc. that, when you witness it, makes you so angry or upset you could cry. Then when you happen to be witness to something being done about it, you are so touched and happy you get chills and cry. There, that's a simple meaning of holy discontent.

All of us have some form of holy discontent. Put there intentionally by God, to pull at us and urge us toward a life of using the unique passions and talents that He has instilled in each of us individually. It is up to us to align our lives to leave a mark on the world in our area of holy discontent in the name of Christ. For some, it may mean changing careers to become a full time mommy, or work for a non-profit organization. For others, your full time job may seem to have nothing to with your holy discontent, but is a means of funding or allowing time to do the things needed to leave your mark.

See, that was easy. Now you know what to do with your life. Well, once you figure out what your holy discontent is.

Comments?

Test the Water or JUMP!

2009-03-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

Neighborhood pools will be opening soon here in Oklahoma. Parents will take their kids to the pool and discuss with themselves whether or not to take a swim. For those deciding to get wet, there are two ways they can go about their first swim of the season.

Some test the water with their toe, then slowly walk down the steps of the pool for that first late spring swim. Unfortunately, when someone takes that approach, they're sure to get to that "certain point" that is very sensitive to the temperature change. Then a decision has to be made - do I keep going? or do I turn back and dry in the warm sun? This is a critical point and this opportunity to cancel the swim rarely make for a good, enjoyable swim.

The other group will walk to the edge of the pool. Stand at about the halfway point between the shallow and deep ends... and jump! Up they will bob for their first gasp of air and shout "dang that was cold". But they will often think... I'm already wet, might as well swim. Minutes later they will have acclimated to their new environment, and enjoy their first swim of the season and post memories of playing in the pool to their kid's mind.

So, what's that have to do our everyday life? I'll use this explanation to explain.

I recently hired a new sales rep. I will be riding with him today as we meet some new businesses. I will tell him that story and ask him to make a choice. He can dip his toe into this new adventure. If he does, he's sure to get to that uncomfortable spot, where his time and efforts are colder than the warmth of his commissions. He'll at that point have to decide whether or not to keep going in hopes of a secure future with high commissions in or to run to the refuge of a comfortable salary job. Or, he can jump in with reckless abandon. No turning back. Come up for air in a couple of weeks and say "dang that was cold" but, I'm already in and might as well swim. Next thing you know, the discomfort will be over and he'll have nice commissions to aide him in making memories with his family.

This is true not just in beginning a new job, but in any change you're considering.

What will you do? - test the water? or JUMP?

Visiting the Tulsa LifeChurch.tv Campus

2009-03-23T09:44:00.005-05:00

This past weekend, I took a visit to the Tulsa, OK area to visit one of my brothers. It was a great trip, and we were able to play some card games and visit while my daughters spent some time with cousins they rarely see even though we live less than two hours apart. After piling on sofas for our Saturday night slumber, we did what most Christian families do on Sunday mornings - argue with our kids about doing what needs to get done so we can get to church on time. Oh, don't look so shocked. It happens at your house too. Anyway, one of the nice things about being a partner/member of LifeChurch.tv, is the ability to attend our "home" church in many cities around the country (or world using their Internet campus). We decided yesterday to visit the mid-town Tulsa Campus located on 41st street. Since we've only once visited a LC campus other than the Oklahoma City Campus that we call home.

Being a marketing minded guy, my mind always takes mental notes of my experience when walking into any business or organization that invites people in. That is, after all, a key determining factor that determines whether or not people will enjoy their visit and do business/visit your organization again. Following is a run down on my experience yesterday at the LifeChurch.tv, Tulsa OK Campus.

The drive up: My wife and I are not familiar with the Tulsa area but found the campus easy to locate and, even better, the building appeared to be one of the best kept in the area. The signage and even colors of the building were uniform with what we recognized in a different city. These things made us feel good about pulling in.
Parking: The parking lot was sort of cramped but I realized later that there was more parking available at the rear of the building. Not a turn off or a turn on for me. Getting out was simple and that was more important to me.
Kids area: I really liked the layout of the kids area. I'm sure that if we'd gotten assistance to check our kids in, we'd have been directed as to where to take them, however, we used our existing LifeKIDS check in number and assumed we'd easily find where to go. Toon Town (the 6yr old thru 4th grade experience) was easy to find since it was near the check in area, but we initially weren't sure where to take our 4 yr old. We saw there were some rooms upstairs so assumed we'd head that way. Once rounding the corner to the second lift on the flight of stairs we saw a sign telling us to take a left to find our destination. I didn't notice a sign at the bottom of the stairs telling us to go there to begin with. If it was there, it wasn't as obvious as the sign at the top of the stairs. Problem was that we couldn't see the one at the top of the stairs until we already committed to that direction anyway.
Main Lobby: We headed to the main lobby which had a great buzz to it. Unlike the Oklahoma City lobby where people seem to rush in and rush out, many not arriving until the worship music had begun or seeming annoyed by bumping into someone else on their way out as fast as possible, this place was full of people grouping in circles and sharing their week's experience. It made one feel like you could make a friend and be in a "circle of friends" by next week. It had a great feel and you could even get a smile rather than a glare if you made eye contact with someone you didn't know.
Into The Experience Room: Upon walking into the main experience room, you got the feeling that something big was about to happen. The lights were down. Spot lights were slowly scanning the room through a hazy fog. It was great. Here I was, a long time LifeChurch member who knew the basis if the week's pre-recorded message (more on that later) and I still could feel my pulse increasing and myself getting anxious as the 10 minute countdown began and the crowd began to flow in to get their seat. This was real nice because I was anticipating a worship experience where people were already in the room rather than being distracted by seat shuffling as people finally came in all though the worship experience. I'm the kind of guy who is prone to close my eyes and focus on God during this time, but often get distracted by the late arrivers (I know that's a pretty selfish comment, but hey, that time is to focus on God, right?). I just appreciated the anticipation that drew the crowd in early. I was much less distracted even though the place was much more crowded.
Worship: This is something I was really looking forward to. I am a huge fan of Derrick Henslee (the worship pastor there). Behind my friend Stephen Cole, he may be my favorite guy to lead me in worship. These two seem to not try so hard to "lead worship" as much as they are the "lead worshipers". That passion really softens me up. I was terribly disappointed in this part of my visit. Derrick "seemed" to do great, however, I could barely make out a word that he sang. I'm a huge fan of pumping up the volume of the music. I'm a horrible singer so I only want God himself to hear me singing along. I don't even care to hear myself. But, the level of volume I experienced yesterday made me miserable. All of the instruments seemed to blend together as one big noise. It was so loud that I thought my ears might bleed. Unfortunately, after looking forward to worshiping with Mr. Henslee, I was praying for this segment of the experience to end as soon as possible.
Pastor's Welcome: After the musical torture experience, we were welcomed from the stage by Dave Branham. This was good. He made me feel welcome and didn't come across as if he was racing through some over-rehearsed stage time influencing opportunity. There were even times that he seemed to search for his next words. It was nice, normal, human, welcoming.
Message: This was the second week of a three week teaching by guest Dave Ramsey. I won't say much about it other than that it was AWESOME. If you didn't experience this message, I'd suggest you click HERE and watch the last two weeks on line. Then make plans to watch next weekend's message in person or on line if there's not a LifeChurch campus near you.
The Final Moments: The close and exit of the experience all went smooth. Back in the lobby, people were mingling and enjoying each other's company rather than rushing home.

Overall, if this campus was closer to home, I'd definitely visit again. However, I would hope that my ears were not assaulted again.

Let me know your thoughts and tell me about some places you've visited. How was your experience and how will it effect future visits.

Let Customers Experience Gain

2009-03-18T09:05:00.003-05:00

Many sales gurus will speak of two major truths that will entice people to buy - fear of loss and hope of gain. These talking heads will encourage sales people to speak highly of the gains and benefits of their product or service to promote the hopeful gain of doing business with them. Or, they will reverse that effect by telling horror stories or making up worse case scenarios to create a fear of loss by not buying what they have to offer.

Sales Reps - please hear this... That doesn't work! We've all had too many of you vomiting that crap at us for too many years! Nobody believes your rehearsed success stories and nobody is buying your outrageous fear tactics. I don't care if your lawn spray kills the most poisonous spiders in South America. I live in Oklahoma, I don't believe that story you told me about the shipment of bananas being spilled on a neighborhood street Germany releasing spiders from their crates and killing all the people and pets within a 10mile radius. I don't believe it happened and doubt it will happen in my neighborhood. You tell me that story and I'm likely to not even buy your basic lawn treatment.

That is just one silly made-up example but organizations and entire industries use tactics like this to increase the movement of their products.

However, I've met one individual who is doing it right. Her name is Sherri Booth and she sells EcoQuest air purifiers (you can visit her website here). She simply tells you about the machine, how it works, and what it's supposed to do. Next, she allows you to place a machine in your home for 10 days. If you feel it works. Your allergies are relieved, you can't smell your pets when you walk in the door and such like that, then you can buy the machine after the 10 day trial. If you don't think it does, she picks up her machine and no money changes hands. That's right. She doesn't ask you to pay and say you can return it in 10 days. Instead, she lets you try it first. If you experience the gain from the use of her product you know it (not from some story she made up) and if you feel you'll loose the benefits you've gained, you've created your own fear of loss (because you must return the machine at the end of 10 days).

I'd like to see more companies taking this approach. Let me decide what my gain is from your product and let me decide what my loss would be if I decide not to keep your product or service. How's this working for Sherri? Her customers purchase about 70% of the machines that she places. Much better than most closing rates for sales.

Not Ready To Go.

2009-03-17T07:18:00.003-05:00

I took my daughters, who are now ages 9 and 4, to my mother's house yesterday. They will spend two nights there durring spring break. This is the first time my 4yr old, Ruthie, has stayed overnight like this. We pulled up the drive and my girls ran right up and through the door of Nana's house.

My wife and I went in to visit for a while before leaving. The whole time there my mind kept wandering to think about our youngest daughter spending her first nights away from home. I was stalling. Finally, Ruthie came back into the living room (she had found the Disney Channel on a TV in Nana's room), she grabbed me by the arm and pulled to try and yank me out of my seat. "I'm ready for you to go" she said. My heart sank. Yet, at the same time, I was so proud of her bravery. I honored her request and figured that was the best time to get out without a scene.

During the drive home I was thinking about what Ruthie had said to me. "I'm ready for you to go." But, I wasn't ready. I think deep down I wanted my little girl to cry and ask to come home with me when it was time for me to leave. Ruthie was ready to step up to another level of maturity and, as her daddy, I wasn't ready for that. I should be happy. After all, isn't my job as a parent supposed to be preparing them for that next step in maturity. I guess I should have immediately began to search for that next level to teach her, prepare her for, or challenge her with. So why is it that my eyes fill with tears as I write this?

I think we all do this in some ways. For some of us, it's not wanting our kids to take that next step in maturity or independence. For some people it's for different reasons. Maybe it's a feeling of codependency and needing to be needed. For others, it's a realization that growth and that next level of maturity means you need to let go of some control. And we like to be in control.

This can be evident in many areas of our lives. From the business owner that seems to "hamstring" his business by slowing growth because he knows deep down inside that he'll need to let go of some of the control over details he has with a small operation. Or the growing Christ follower who needs to take that next step in her relationship with Christ, but knows that it means turning over her worries and letting them go to HIM. She wants to worry, even though that won't fix her problems.

Our greatest role as leaders is to help those around us grow. That means that many times, great leaders don't gain more control over the situation around them, instead, they prepare those around them to take control. It's hard at times to let someone else have control over something we're responsible for, but, if we've don a good job as a leader and handed that control over to the right person, it will ultimately help your business, organization, or family, step up to the next level of maturity.

Hiring On the Cheap

2009-03-12T04:56:00.000-05:00

HR departments are notorious for trying their hardest to hire the cheapest person for the position available. I recently saw a Craigslist.org post that was put up by a large publishing company (mainly newspaper) in the OKC area. It simply said they were looking for Social Media Specialist and was accompanied by a long list of requirements that an applicant must posses. Hmm... maybe a good freelance opportunity, I thought.

I sent a simple email stating that I would be interested in discussing the position along with links to my FaceBook page, LinkedIn profile, and my blog. The next day I received an email from the company's marketing department expressing their interest in me and requesting my salary requirements. Whoa there! Talk about putting the cart before the horse. We hadn't even talked about the details like the expectations and needs of the company and they wanted me to commit to a price I would be willing to fill those needs for?

Eventually, I got them to divulge the salary range for the position but still have no idea what their expectations are. As I would understand by the position title (Social Media Specialist) the chosen candidate might do some of the following things in that role.

Update and maintain social media sites that represent the said company.
Maintain, write (maybe co-write, or schedule writers) of a company blog.
Constantly search for other blogs and posts for information that might be of interest or use of the said company.

Funny thing is, if this does happen to be what the company I communicated with had in mind, I don't think it would require full time commitment and could be done for about half of what they are offering. However, they are asking for a 40 hour commitment. Most people who are skilled in and experienced in social media and social networking, will require about 15% - 20% more than what they are offering to commit full time. This is because most people in this line of work do some freelance and personal marketing to provide income and that would be hindered by one 40 hour commitment.

Chances are the above company will end up with a semi-experienced, semi-committed employee who is content in accepting 40 hours of pay for a job that should take 20-30 hours to complete. This person will likely spend the other 10-20 hours of their week (for which they are getting paid) chatting by the water cooler, checking personal email or tasks, being monitored, causing stress for their supervisor, and so on.

If the decision makers in the hiring process are flexible, will discuss their needs openly and candidly, and not try to land the cheapest 40 hour employee... they could get the same job done, in half the time, by a more experienced individual, who'll show more care, attention to detail, creativity, and passion for the task... at half the price.

The cheapest person for the job will often end up being your most expensive option and will rarely be the best person for the job.

Giving the Wrong Info

2009-03-11T08:25:00.004-05:00

I arrived at a great Asian restaurant last night in anticipation of an event hosted by the local chamber of commerce. As I stood in the lobby with 8 or 9 other confused chamber members, it was evident that we were in the wrong place. Quickly, everyone fired up their iPhones and PDAs to recheck the chamber website. Yep. According to the events calendar on the site, we were in the right place. I then sent a couple of text messages and had the correct location at hand. However, by this time, we were 30 minutes into a 2 hour event and the correct location was about 20 min away, so we all decided that dinner and social networking for 10 would do just fine for tonight.

Whether a business, church, charity organization, or any other organization, having the correct information available is important. It's time to find yourself awakened to the fact that in 2009 most people will look for your information on the web. Some may only look on the web. It's too easy to get the word out about your event or changes in an event, for anyone in your possible circle of influence to go un-notified.

One thing that happened in this example that I see in many business websites is that the information on the site was incorrect. Once again, editing the location of an event or changing a few words is too simple to let it go undone. If the information on your site is incorrect, it is likely not neutral but rather hurting your cause. In the case of last night, 10 people would have sought the location of that event if they hadn't been under the impression that they already knew where it was. Heck I trusted the people that put it on. Or at least I trusted their site.

Look at the information you're putting out in your emails, calendars, and on your site. Is it up to date? Do yourself and your cause a favor and fix it now.

She's In Labor

2009-03-10T06:51:00.000-05:00

I was driving through a strip mall parking lot the other day and saw an old friend walking out of a store. I quickly pulled up to him and rolled down the window. After a few quick "hellos and how ya doings" he said... "I guess I'd better go. My wife's in the truck and we're on the way to the hospital." What's going on, I asked. To which he replied, "she's in labor and we're on the way to have the baby".

WOW! Stopping in at the store was a real gutsy decision. My wife would've killed me. I'm sure when his bruises heal and everything plays out they'll have a good story to tell.

Duped Me Once

2009-03-09T08:33:00.002-05:00

I took my daughter Halee to Target on Friday, hoping to relieve her of that burning sensation that her birthday money has been causing on her hip for the last few weeks. I kid like that but she was really diligent in deciding what to spend it on. She decided it would be fun for she and her sister to play with walkie-talkies, so, that's where we headed. She told me on the way in, she wanted a movie if she had enough money too.

Once inside she found the "perfect" communication devices for only $14.98. Then off to the movie section to find Beverly Hills Chiwawah. We found it with a glistening sign that said "$5.00 gift card with purchase of Beverly Hills Chiwahwah" Great! the movie was $18.99, but with the $5.00 gift card, she might have enough with the $30 she already had plus the gift card. So... off to the register we go. That was too easy. At the register, she paid for the movie first so she might use the gift card for the walkie-talkies. No gift card. What?

The young man at the register explained that you must need a second purchase of some sort to validate the purchase. "This happens all the time" he said. He called the manager over who explained that you must buy that movie AND Air Bud Special Edition to receive the gift card. A second look at the display revealed a second sign in a different location on the display with fine print outlining the details. "What an idiot" I thought of myself. Exactly the tone the manager took as he explained how an informed shopper would read all the signage on the display. Then it hit me. The guy at the register said it happens all the time. Including earlier that day with a Kellogg's promotion with a similar offer. $5.00 gift card with purchase of 2 of a certain type of cereal (must buy a total of 5 Kellogg's products to validate the offer).

Why not be more clear on the offer? Why make your customers feel stupid at the register with people waiting in line behind them? Why try to embarrass your customers into a purchase?

We didn't by the second movie. Mom and Dad covered the balance of Halee's purchase. Target duped us. But, they also won't see me in their store again. If I'd been the only one making this mistake, I'd feel differently but I believe this was a dishonest marketing tactic. Remember, the register guy said "it happens All The Time".

Duped me once. My daughter and I were embarrassed and treated like idiots by management in your store. Won't give you the chance to dupe me again.

Use Referral Groups to Build Your Circle

2009-03-04T06:12:00.000-06:00

Referral groups are a great way to grow your business. Google the term "business referral groups" + your city and you'll get a great list of places to start checking out. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing which group to devote the majority of your time with.

1. Make sure the group focuses on referrals and not leads. The difference is this.

LEAD: Hey, I just met with a guy who could really use some help getting traffic to his web site. I know he mentioned needing help with that. You should call him. Here's his contact info.
REFERRAL: Hey, I just met with a guy who could really use some help getting traffic to his web site. He even mentioned needing help with it. I told him JC Riley is the guy who can get that done. I sent him to AFHmarketing.com and gave him your number. I also told him I'd let you know and have you give him a call.

2. This is not one of those times when you simply buzz around handing out your business card. Though it's nice to get the chance to do business with the people in your group. However, your purpose should be to do business with the circle of influence that the people in the group know. The ultimate target shouldn't be the group themselves.

3. Build relationships. Nobody should or will use their personal equity that they work hard to build to put their name on the line for people they don't know. Just being in a group with someone doesn't entitle you to their circle of influence. Get to know the others in the group. Maybe do some sample work for them so they can see your quality and grow to trust you with their word.

4. Be a giver. Not just a receiver. You'll need to begin looking for opportunities to give good quality referrals long before you expect to receive them. Let the others in the group feel obligated to send business your way to catch up with the money you're making for them. Don't get behind and let them wonder if you'll ever send them a referral even though they've sent you several.

Attend a Networking Event

2009-03-03T06:42:00.000-06:00

Networking events. Make it to all of them you can. Chamber events. Wine tastings. After hours mixers. All of them.

I'll be at one tonight. Practical Marketing Solutions is a "grass roots" marketing company located in Edmond Ok. They specialize in all types of guerrilla marketing techniques. From canvasing, to trade shows, ribbon cuttings, press releases, they handle all of those things. They even hold periodic networking events for all of their clients to meet at the location of a different chosen client each time. This brings people in their doors as well as providing a chance for people to learn each others business.

Swinging Doors Have Swung Shut!

2009-03-02T06:35:00.000-06:00

Many sales managers will tell their sales reps that they can make a great living and hit bonus numbers by swinging 25 doors per day? That is sooooooo... 2008.

Ten years ago, companies began to flood their markets with feet on the street. Outside sales reps with assigned geographic territories was the preferred method of acquiring and maintaining a customer base. Problem is, EV-ER-Y BOD-Y did it. Soon companies had large sales forces raking in six figure salaries while maintaining current customer bases.

Then 3-5 years ago, those same companies decided to get their money's worth out of their sales reps. So, they upped the pressure and shrunk their sales force. Along with it came a new focus on new customer acquisition. This forced the outside sales rep to play "bump and run" coverage with their clients and ignore those proven retention based practices they were so good at just a few years earlier.

With this new shift in management, sales tactics, and salesmanship styles... customers began to feel slighted. They haven't been able to get their calls answered. After repetitively being treated like a cash cow rather than being made to feel valued for their commitment and loyalty, customers have begun to strike back. Each day, the trust level between potential customers and sales reps is being depleted. That 25 doors per day mark is now 35 doors that a sales rep needs to swing before finding an interested prospect. Sales reps that were once welcomed with open arms carrying in baskets of bagels, are now ushered out with the same disregard and disgust of a mother receiving a call from their favorite telemarketer as she tiredly sits down with her family for a home cooked meal. Ad in the current economic pressures and past experiences of those potential customers, the field of play will continue to get tougher.

I'll share some ideas on how outside sales reps should dial into this new perception in 2009 as we go through the week. Or, maybe I should say, in the spring of 2009. Because we all know, it could change by fall.

Which Customer Should You Fire Today?

2009-02-27T09:44:00.003-06:00

Do you have a client that costs you money. Most of us have had one at some time or another. It's the guy who needs constant attention, doesn't trust your expertise, or just plain takes too much of your time. It may look like this...

The homeowner that lingers over the service contractor questioning the hows and whys of every step of his process and material used.
The restaurant patron who complains about everything from the temperature of the room, to the softness of the green beans.
In my world, the netWORX marketing client that needs to know every detail of how you manage the account.

Most of the time, these customers are not the best paying ones. Maybe there service has some sentimental value that has kept you at their beckon call all this time. (One of few constant repeat customers, your first customer, business is slow and they are A customer). But, chances are, you'd be better off without them. Figure the time you spend making them happy or answering their questions. How much does it slow you down? Take your profit from having them as a customer and subtract dollars lost in time and stress of pleasing them. How long would it take you to find a replacement customer to make up the difference in their value.

It is more important during a slow economy than ever before, to chose your customers wisely. You can't afford to run in circles for little or no profit. Seek the

Chances are, not long. It is more important during a slow economy than ever before, to chose your customers and how you spend your time wisely. You can't afford to run in circles pleasing one difficult customer (and every business has one) for little or no profit.

Which customers do you need to fire today?

Worlds Greatest PB&J

2009-02-25T06:03:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I ate the best PB&J sandwich ever. It's really easy. Here you go.

2 slices of whole wheat bread

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

1/4 cup of blueberries

Crush the blueberries with a fork or put them in one of those little dicing things. Like a Magic Bullet but I use some sort of other brand that works awesome too.
Spread the peanut butter on once slice of the bread
Spread the crushed/diced blueberries on the other slice
Mash 'em together.
Eat
Make another
Eat
Make a 3rd
Eat

If you follow steps 1-5 only... congratulations, you've just made the healthiest peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever known to mankind. If you followed steps 1-9, you found a way to screw that healthy thing up.

The thing is, it's not only health, but I think it was the best tasting one I've ever had as well.

Try It.

Can You Schedule Sincerity?

2009-02-23T08:04:00.003-06:00

My wife and I had an interesting conversation a few days ago. You see, she was playing the Bubble Breaker game on my phone (a popular favorite around the Riley home), when she saw I had a reminder scheduled on my calendar to pray with my wife.

Does the fact that I had to schedule that prayer time still make it sincere?

Absolutely. Whether you're reminder is to pray with your spouse, praise your kids, or praise your employees, the fact that you schedule it means that it's important to you. If you didn't care, you might just "hope you remember". Because spending focused time in prayer with and for my wife and the things that may be on her mind is important to me, I want to make sure it doesn't slip my mind. Same goes with my kids. If the reminder to praise my daughter shows up and I've not intentionally looked for something positive to praise her about, I find something right then to remind her how she pleases me.

Be careful though not to make that time just be a check mark on you "things to do" list. If it appears to be just a check mark, it will not be genuine or well received. Only do this if it is really truly important to you. But, please do remind yourself if it's important to you. Don't let it slip you mind.

Funny Similes, Metaphors, and Analogies

2009-02-19T08:31:00.003-06:00

I was surfing the net this morning and came across what I thought was an entertaining blog entry. It is a compilation of similes, metaphors, and analogies written by English students across the country. The lack of my own knowledge of proper writing kept me from poking fun at or even realizing those mistakes in their entries, however, some are pretty creative and humorous.

Here's the link: http://www.english-blog.com/archives/2006/06/really_bad_metaphors.php

It made me think of sitting with some friends watching a ball game one time and when one of my friends was teasing another, the second simply looked and said... "I'm about to go Bobby Knight on you." We all nearly peed our pants at the thought of our friend choking the other with his hands or throwing chairs across the room like the infamous coach throwing a fit during a game of hoops.

I remember once when my wife was pregnant someone made a comment about her being so skinny with just a round belly sticking out in front. Saying... "It's like a marble taped to a pencil." I think it was meant as a compliment too. My dad used to get mad and say he was about to "be on me like stink on sh*#t." I have a friend that will say he's "busier than a one legged man at a butt kicking contest."

What are some of the favorites you've heard?

Try Retention For A Change

2009-02-17T06:18:00.000-06:00

What if sales based organizations focused on customer retention as much as they focus on customer acquisition? I know that most companies say that's a focus for them but their action plan states something different.

How does your commission plan or bonus plan for your sales team encourage retention rather than simply acquisition? Too many times sales reps are rewarded for playing "bump-and-run" coverage with your customers. Companies do this by shuffling accounts among reps, paying high sign bonuses on sales, or by paying inflated early commissions that deflate over time. Techniques like this are meant to force ones sales force to continue to seek new clients rather than settling in a comfort zone thus slowing focus. These practices all are counter productive to your bottom line and your companies reputation. They encourage your team to make the fast money and forget their client in order to move on to the next paycheck.

Chances are that you can afford to pay in month 3, month 6, month 16, and month 36 what you paid in month one. Why not pay a good, fair, commission that recurs as a client continues business with your company.

My hope is that my sales reps will all one day hit a comfort level with the amount of recurring accounts they maintain repetitive business with and can spend their time drinking coffee with and maintaining a good relationship with those accounts for the long term. When that happens, I'll simply hire a new rep to sell those new accounts and keep them coming in.

I believe that this will avoid the pinwheel of sales reps cycling through my office that so many companies have. Rather than feeling like their running on a treadmill, they can actually reach the goal of this race.

The 3-Headed Website Monster

2009-02-16T06:59:00.001-06:00

An effective website is a 3-Headed monster.

Content - Surely you have something to say to people visiting your site. Maybe yours is for entertainment, information, sales, networking or any combination of purposes. Without content that matches it's purpose, it won't do it's job.
Design - No matter how great your content is, you must have good design to keep people there. Your site must be easy on the eye and visually appealing as well as easy to navigate and map through.
Visibility - This is th most often missed absolute of having an effective website. Let's say you have a wonderfully designed, easy to navigate, beautiful website that's packed full of interesting content. Who cares if nobody sees it. There was a day (about fefteen years ago) when you could throw your site on the World-Wide-Web and anyone looking for your type of content would end up there. Those days are over my friend. It's time to start thinking about how you will get people to visit your site.

If you need help with any of these areas, don't go it alone. Recognize which areas you will need some help in. Check out AFH Marketing if you'd like some help.

Strong Kids Campaign

2009-02-10T06:10:00.000-06:00

I am a huge fan of the YMCA and all it does for the communities where their locations are. Currently the YMCA Association in the Oklahoma City metro area (including the Edmond OK Y's) is running their Strong Kids Campaign.

This is a campaign to raise money that is used to provide invaluable services to the community. A single mom might receive assistance through childcare so that her kids have a safe place to go after school. Young kids receive swim and water safety lessons. Each year thousands of area kids enjoy day camps provided by the YMCA. These are the same kids that otherwise would be left home alone and experimenting with who knows what.

I encourage each of you to give to the local YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. You can contact the Edmond Oklahoma Area Y's by calling (405) 348-9622. You can call and make your commitment. Payment can be deferred until October if needed.

Just call up and say that you read about it on my blog.

What Is That?

2009-02-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

I often see vehicles driving around town with a company logo on them. Unfortunately, most of them are a waste of space. The reason is that most of them have the name of a product or company that doesn't include what the product is or what the company does.

For instance, if you saw a billboard or logo on a vehicle that simply read "netWORX 405.761.0266", it probably would read nothing. Even if you could benefit from this service, you'd never know because you don't even know what netWORX is.

Replay. What if that same billboard or vehicle said "netWORX helping your site be found on the web 405.761.0266"? Now, that says something totally different. If I've been wondering how to get traffic to my site, you just told me you can help.

Advertising your brand is great, however, you must have a strong brand or also state what that brand does.

What Is It About 30?

2009-02-04T07:36:00.004-06:00

I just turnded 30 last week and, though I'm not devestated like a prom queen with a zit, it is like someone has flipped a switch in my head. I have this feeling like all of the sudden, I'm supposed to be something different. I'm kind of a high energy guy who can have fun in the most boring of meetings. However, it's as if that was fine last week (when I was in my 20's), but is unacceptable now. What is it about 30 that makes me feel like I have to stop all the fun and become a stiff?

I don't care to fight the aging. I welcome the gray hair, wrinkles, and wisdom I gain each year. However, I refuse to grow up. A wise man once said... "We don't stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing."

Set Roles Up Front

2009-02-02T05:29:00.001-06:00

Many small businesses are made up of partnerships on some level. Make sure you have tough conversations up front so you can preserve your relationships later. You both should have a say in major decisions, but should decide up front which tasks, departments, employee groups, or projects that each of you will have primary responsibility for.

This will help streamline you business making you more agile in your changing economic environment, as well as prevent the ocassional hurt feelings over not being included or, more importantly, prevent your business from missing an opportunity due to someone not knowing if they had authority to make certain decisions. Missing an opportunity due to inaction can be tragic. So, instead, set up checks and balances as to what decisions need consulting and which ones are futile. For this reason though it is important that you place yourselves in the roles you are best in, not the ones you like best.

Casual Fridays = $5.00

2009-01-30T06:50:00.002-06:00

Maybe this one's not much of a marketing technique, but, it can be fun and most importantly, helps others. If your business operates on a "professional" dress code, chances are that the folks in your office would like to have "casual dress" Fridays. Try this approach.

Survey your staff to find out what charitable organization your team might be most passionate about overall.
Offer up "casual dress" Friday... with a catch.
To participate in the casual dress code to end each week, they must put up $5.00 that will be donated to the charity each quarter. The charity can even rotate quarter to quarter.

This will make Fridays fun and bring your team together for a common cause. Best of all, it's a win/win for all involved. Employees get their casual Friday. Charitable organizations around your community are aided financially. And, if you play the cards right, your company gets some much appreciated pub.

Donate For High Commitment Sales

2009-01-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

If your company sells high commitment items this works great for you. By high commitment items, I mean any product or service that, for the most part, requires some thought or consideration by the buyer. For instance, a new pair of jeans at the mall = low commitment. A new car = high commitment. Are we on the same page? Good.

Here's what we plan to do here at All For HIM Marketing Solutions. During the month of February 2009, we will be working to raise contributions for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Each time a client signs up for our netWORX search engine marketing service or purchases a custom built website from us, we will donate $25 to the Strong Kids Campaign. Pretty good contribution per sale but hey, it's a high commitment sale, we're willing to sacrifice $25 for a good cause that helps many many families.

The idea behind this is that this mission might raise some questions and awareness of how the YMCA contributes to their local community (I'll post on this next week). Other benefits from this effort will hopefully be abundant be three of the things we're hoping for are...

Bringing some of those fence straddlers over to our side. Most organizations have potential clients who are perfect fits for their product or service, know they need to sign up, but just beat all around the bush when it comes to inking paper and writing a check. You know they'll sign up some time, question is, will it be before you retire or long after your grand children take over the family business. Hopefully this will give those procrastinators a reason to commit now rather than later.
Letting people know that some businesses care about their community and those organizations that help them and their families. There's something to be said for giving money to an organization that effects you or someone you know. For instance, aren't you more likely to buy that overpriced wrapping paper and canned popcorn from the local elementary students, if it's your niece selling it, rather than just some random kid from another city who's going door to door in your neighborhood? Same principle.
Raising lots of dough for an awesome organization. The biggest part of this mission is that we will hopefully be writing a huge check for the YMCA and the community it supports. The bigger the check... the more money we made, the more help the YMCA receives, and the more support the YMCA can give to the community.

Once again, this is a win/win for all involved. By the way, if you need a website or need help getting people to visit your site, we can help. You can contact All For HIM Marketing Solutions at (405) 761-0266. Do business now to help the YMCA.

Donate Some Branded Goods

2009-01-28T05:38:00.001-06:00

Find an organization and donate some THING they need. Chances are, that you may be able to brand it with your logo. Here's just one idea. Take it and run with it.

Find a non-profit who uses bottled water and offer to donate a couple of pallets with your logo. Depending on the organization, you might split the label with half your company info and half the organization's info.
Go to www.BeOnWater.com and order your water with your custom label and have it delivered to the organization.
Next thing you know, the organization is passing out your business advertisement all over.

It might look something like this. The local soccer league or concession stand that raises money for your local school's PTO. You donate the water, they sell it and the money goes to the organization. They are passing out your info on the label to every thirsty person at the concession stand. All those people see a community oriented business that has donated to their local school or soccer club their kids are in. That's called common ground.

Once again, It's a win/win for the organization, people getting the water, and your business. Everybody gets what they need.

There's the idea... Make it yours.

Donate Some Work

2009-01-27T05:40:00.000-06:00

Last week's event at Trichology Salon was a great win/win.

Donate some work or time to charity. Publicise it in order to invite people to join the cause and take advantage of the "freebie" with request that they donate.

That's what happened with the Trichology Salon example.

Here's the run-down of what happened:

Stylists donate time & location to shave hair for free
Donations are collected for charity (in this case for Camp Cavett)
Local radio station agrees to promote event and local news channel covers the story

Here's the result of what happened:

Local family sees first hand love and support from their friends and community (great thing)
nearly $1400 raised to support a worthy cause (definitely a good thing)
40+ people show up to donate and get heads shaved bringing along family members who otherwise wouldn't have ever realized that Trichology existed. (wives and others not shaving heads and possibly becoming future customers)
community sees that they have a local business that cares about more than money and wants to genuinely be a blessing to the community. (hopefully this is one of your business goals... if it's not, it should be)

See. It's not that hard. That's just one idea. How can you make it yours?

More tomorrow

Try Marketing With A Charity.

2009-01-26T06:15:00.000-06:00

Ever thought of leverage your business to help others? Many times you can help a non-profit organization while getting the word out about your company. If you think through it, you can end up with a complete win / win situation for all involved. The charity, you, your clients and whomever else might be involved, all benefit.

What better way to use your business to help others.

I'll share some ideas on the topic this week. Do you have any?

Too Personal, Too Fast.

2009-01-23T05:53:00.007-06:00

My brother and I are in the marketing business together and one of his accounts is experiencing an interesting situation between their on-line marketing campaign and their website.

It seems company "A" feels their new on-line marketing campaign is not working due to the receipt of exactly zero new customers from the web. Sounds logical, right? Well, the cool thing about Internet marketing is that it's completely track able. The numbers show that every week, company "A" shows up on thousands of searches and receives numerous new visits to their site.

In an effort to diffuse the situation, my brother (Rusty) combed through the site with his customer to find the problem. Rusty had already done this and found the site to be information packed, organized, entertaining, and easy to navigate. This site was ideal for prompting a customer to contact the business. However, what Rusty had never done before is actually try to contact the company on-line. When he tried it this time, a simple form popped up to be filled out. Pretty standard, right? Nope. One of the required fields asked for his social security number. What? I haven't even decided I want to buy from you. I'm trying to find out your price. And, you want my social security number? While I'm at it, here's my debit card number and pin access code.

Many people may read this and think "what an idiot" but, do you try to get too much commitment too soon from your potential clients. Do you go to the cell phone store and fill out the waiting list form? Most include an email field. To which I think, I don't want your emails every week. I'm interested in buying a phone today, isn't that enough. Many times when trying to view things such as pricing or when trying to contact a business on-line you will be asked to create a user name and password. This is to try and create a sense of "buy-in" or "commitment". However, in your own business, you might want to make sure you're not getting the steps out of order.

Company "A" was asking it's customers for their hand in marriage before they'd even been on a first date. Where are you getting too personal, too fast?

What If Business Grows Too Fast?!

2009-01-22T07:50:00.001-06:00

I visited with a business owner yesterday that raised a concern I hear many times. "What if my new Internet advertising campaign brings in more orders than I can fill?" My answer... Hopefully it will. After all, that's the goal, isn't it? Here are some thoughts I have on this subject.

If you only are willing to try to reach the amount of business that you can currently handle... How do you expect to grow.
Advertise and put a "now hiring" sign out on the same day.
If you can't fill the orders, politely explain the high demand (rather than low production ability) to your customers and aide them (not just refer them) in finding what they need somewhere else. They will appreciate it and if you explain that your production backup is the exception rather than the rule, they'll appreciate your effort and still come to you first next time or when referring a friend.

I think most of the time this statement though is an excuse for a statement like these two.

I'm scarred and don't trust my ability as a leader or business owner to handle any more than I have. I'm not quite sure I'm committed to my employees and the future of this company as it is.
I don't understand the new world of commerce and marketing that the new digital age has brought us into. Since this is the case, I choose to crawl in a corner and boycott hoping the rest of the industrialized world will miss me and revert back to the early 1990's.

Your thoughts?

Head Shaving Stats & Pics

2009-01-20T06:45:00.004-06:00

Thanks to all of you who helped make this a special night for Caleb.

WOW! Over 40 heads got shaved last night at the Trichology Salon to raise over $1300 for Camp Cavett in honor of Caleb Pape and his courageous battle. I'll keep updating this thread with stats as donations keep coming in.

If you'd still like to show your support, you can email me jc@AFHmarketing.com and I will work with you to make arrangements for your donation.

You may also post your bald head pic in the comments of this thread. Keep checking regularly because Caleb's parents will be posing a ton of pics they took last night at the event.

Caleb Pape - 3

2009-01-19T07:06:00.002-06:00

Check out my post from Friday to get details on the fundraiser that Caleb Pape is putting together. I hope to see you there tonight. If you can't make it, take a picture of your new aerodynamic cut and post it to the Caleb Cut Pics blog I'll put up this evening.

Fat Stats ( Week 3 )

2009-01-19T07:04:00.002-06:00

Well, no progress this week. I weighed in at 209 this morning which is the same as last Monday. I made progress earlier in the week then slacked off the second half of the week. This puts me behind with some catching up to do.

Caleb Pape - 2 ( The Details )

2009-01-16T06:39:00.003-06:00

Ok folks, here are the details for the day of buzz cuts and fundraising to support Caleb Pape as he hopes to raise money to support Camp Cavett as he battles his giant.

Monday, January 19th 5pm-7pm

Trichology Salon

14101 N. May Ave. Suite 110

OKC Ok 73134

Come stay the whole time or just swing by to say hello.
Get your "buzz on" with Caleb or donate what you can.
If you can't make it... email me or post a pic of your new aerodynamic look in the comments of this blog.

I truly believe this can be an amazing experience as Caleb sees people coming together to bless others through his illness. Losing his hair is a BIG deal for Caleb but he's feels it's worth it to support Camp Cavett.

I urge everyone to raise as much money as you can and bring it by to donate. I know you don't want to be "that guy" trying to get everyone at work to "pitch in" for everything you come across. So, if you are "that guy" then don't ask people. However, if you can't remember the last time you raised money or support for a worthy cause other than your own bank account.... If that's you, ask everyone you know.

I'd love for Caleb to be just blown away by the support he receives in raising money for the charity he chose.

If you have any questions reply to my post or email me at jc@AFHmarketing.com .

Refer to Seth

2009-01-16T06:12:00.002-06:00

I have to turn todays blog entry over to Seth Godin. Click his name to read his post for today. It made the wheels in my mind get cranking.

Have a great weekend. See ya Monday!

Pepper is HOT!

2009-01-15T06:49:00.002-06:00

My wife (Pepper) and I each will turn 30 by the end of this month. Though I'm not devastated to realize that I'm nearly halfway to the average life expectancy for males in the USA, I have done some reflecting lately.

Today I was looking at Pepper and began to think about when we met at the ripe old age of 16. Boy did I think she was H-O-T....HOT! I thought about our wedding day and how I thought she was the most beautiful thing on earth. I then walked into our bedroom where there hangs a picture of us not long after being married (maybe 19-20 yrs old). Wow did I think she was beautiful then. After looking at my wife of over 11 years again, I realized I was way off base. What was I thinking? At all those times in our lives she was pretty, cute, sweet. She's just a few days from her 30th birthday and has now become Smokin' HOT.

My how your perceptions change over time. 14 years ago when we first met, I thought I had it made and that she was as beautiful as she would ever be. Now, I can't wait to see her at 40. If she keeps getting hotter at this pace, I might have to wear a welders mask to look at her so she won't burn my eyes.

Pepper, I love you more than anything... even more than yesterday.

875883

Referrals or Advertising?

2009-01-14T06:46:00.001-06:00

Too many times I've visited with business owners who say they don't need to advertise because they do all of their business through word of mouth. Most of the time, these businesses are not growing and in many cases, slowly failing. Granted, there are some fields that are very fraternal in which the "good ole boy" system is the only way to pick up clients. Those types of businesses however, are sparse at best.

If you could load up on new clients, purely from referrals, most people would have a close friend or family member who's a millionaire from a pyramid business. That's how they work, isn't it?

The truth is... Although referrals may be the best customers to deal with, it's not the best way to find new customers. Advertising is.

"I can't afford to advertise" WHAT?!

2009-01-13T13:03:00.004-06:00

I often hear business leaders say they can't afford to advertise, "right now". I just want to say "WHAT? WHY? Are you an idiot?" Most of the their pitiful answer to why, is... "business is just slow right now". O.K. So these people must think the Customer Fairy is going to bring in some new clients tomorrow. The truth is, when business is slow, you can't afford not to advertise right now.

If you're not advertising and business is slow, change it. Start Advertising.
If you are advertising and not seeing it bring in business, change it. Try different advertising media, but don't just stop advertising.
If you are advertising and it's bringing in a positive number of dollars vs. your investment, change it. Keep what you have and buy more of it. There should be no budget or spending limit on well-spent advertising dollars. IT MAKES MORE THAN IT COSTS (positive ROI).

If you want to change the way your business is going, you've got to do just that.... CHANGE.

Advertising is not a luxury. It's a necessity! If you're only buying it to "see yourself" all over town and boost your ego, it's a waste. Organizations shouldn't buy advertising when they "make it". Organizations should buy advertising so they will "make it".

What are you and your organization doing today so that more people will find you tomorrow?

If you don't advertise or thinking of cutting your advertising, please pay attention to this next statement.

If you're doing the same thing today that you did yesterday, you'll have even less business tomorrow than you do today.

Thoughts?

Caleb Pape 1

2009-01-12T14:47:00.004-06:00

Anybody up for getting their hair cut? I'm currently working with the family of Caleb Pape as well as the Trichology Salon to put together a fund raiser for Camp Cavett.

Caleb is currently battling tumors since August of 2007. During this time, he's battled a tumor at the base of his skull, leg, and even rib. Caleb's entire family are what I would call the prototype of Christ loving families. His father (Randy) is one of the most Spirit filled men I've ever met. He leads his 3 sons and 1 daughter in examples of how to actively worship each day in the way you live. Kerri (Caleb's mom) is an awesome woman. She's had a lot placed on her shoulders and her heart. Even spending several months caring for all 4 kids on her own during this rough season for her family, while Randy was stationed over seas with the US Air Force. Caleb is a Champion and will overcome this trial he's facing. He wishes though to use this to help and reach others through this.

Caleb will be going with the aero dynamic haircut provided by a pair of clippers next week and would like some of you to come along as well. Trichology Salon will cut Caleb's hair as well as others wishing to support the cause. All that is asked is that you donate the cost of the haircut to Camp Cavett. If you don't wish to sport the new doo (I will be), you can easily stop by and donate to the cause.

We are still working out some details but will have all of them soon. Very soon. This will probably take place early next week so keep checking Awaken for details in the next couple of days.

Fat Stats (Week 2)

2009-01-12T14:37:00.002-06:00

Well, I hit my mark again this week.... barely.

By Sunday I had only lost one pound of my 2 pounds per week goal. I was extra good on Sunday and by the Monday morning weekly weigh-in, I was down to 209lbs. from 211lbs.

This is obviously doable but the pounds aren't exactly "melting away". Last week I woke up to run at 5am on two different days and did some swimming one morning while doing some eliptycal work for a fifth workout of the week. This week, my goal is six workouts. Two will include swimming only. Two will include only a run or elyptical. The other two will include a run and weight lifting immediately to follow. I'll also continue to work on curbing my eating habits as I go along.That's the hardest part for me. I have the will power of a crack addict.

Plan of Action vs. Goal

2009-01-08T10:24:00.003-06:00

For many people, early January is always a time of goal setting. For many of those same people, by early February, those goals are set aside only to be tried and failed the next year. And, so the cycle continues.

I'd argue that the main reason people don't accomplish their goals is because of focusing too much on the goal itself, rather than the action plan to reach that goal. They simply focus on their goal which seems far away and with "plenty of time" to achieve until one day, the deadline is upon them and they feel like a 5 year old about to clean their bedroom. The goal seems unreachable and they don't know where to start.

Example: Steve may set the goal of getting up at 5:30am each morning to spend thirty minutes in quiet prayer with God. However, if Steve doesn't make a plan of action which might include setting the alarm clock for 5:20am (so he can hit the snooze button once), he will likely oversleep thus not reaching his goal. When this happens, people begin to focus on the goal and how they will "cram" the end result into their schedule. At that point, they may be "working in" thirty minutes of prayer, but, how likely is that thirty minutes to focus on and honor God?

Another example: Company ABC sets a first quarter sales goal of $500,000. Company ABC should then figure how many sales that breaks down to, the number of sales per sales rep that equals, and how many sales per week each rep would have to make to reach individual goals that the company goal would break down to. Furthermore, to keep the sales rep from focusing on that large individual goal, show them how many phone calls per day to make to sales leads to average one sale. Show them how many potential customers to drive out and personally meet to average one sale. On a company level, how many fliers must you mail to average one generated lead? Do it. How many leads will $5,000 in Internet marketing bring your company? Buy it.

Do your task list plan of action and pre-set only periodical times to compare your actual year-to-date numbers to your pacing for your goal. Other than those times DON'T FOCUS ON THE GOAL! Focus on the things to do each day. If you take care of those things, the goals will happen.

JC

Crazy Love

2009-01-07T07:39:00.006-06:00

I've recently finished a great book entitled Crazy Love, written by Francis Chan. This book really was used to open my eyes about the crazy kind of love that God has for us. He loves me regardless of how imperfect and just plain messed up I am. That's Crazy.

The thing that challenged me most through this book though was a comment about being an obvious Christ follower. If you weren't a Christ follower, would your life look much different? In other words, does the way you live your life constitute total trust, worship, belief, and leaning on God? Or, are you more of just a "nice guy" who goes to church and prays before meals?

If the first statement is true, your life should look completely different and stand out from those who don't know Christ. In the second example, your life likely more closely resembles those around you not knowing HIM than it does the crazy apostles who were more passionate about telling the news of Jesus than any other thing around them. They acted that way because they were filled with God's crazy love. Really, is there any other reasonable response to a crazy kind of love like that?

Incentive For Early Commitment

2009-01-06T07:01:00.001-06:00

If you haven't already read my blog from yesterday morning entitled Sale Ends Tomorrow... Yeah, Right! I'd suggest doing so now to fully understand the basis of today's idea.

----------

I left the health store with the mindset of proving to the sales person just how long I could wait before making a purchase if in fact I ever did do business with her company. I began to feel bad for my daughters as we walked through the mall. All of this walking up and down the isles from store to store was setting their legs on fire. Actually that may have been the neatly folded cash from grandma that was burning a hole through their pocket. I bit the bullet. Made the ultimate sacrifice. I set my kids free in the Disney Store to blow their money.

My oldest daughter, Halee stood gazing with a stuffed animal and Hannah Montana karaoke gear in hand. What caught her eye? There was a huge display of newly distributed High School Musical 3 merchandise. This time, a much more trained (in product knowledge as well as knowledge of customer demographic) sales person approached. The sales rep immediately she began to connect with the emotions and desire that she knew Halee was battling.

What do I get? I can't get it all... so, what?

The sales rep must have heard my wife and I encouraging her to wait until she knew exactly what she wanted before making a purchase. "Don't just get something, just to blow the money" my wife would tell her. If you'll remember my story from yesterday, that's what customers have been trained to do by sales organizations.

This time, the sales rep had a much better option. "If you pre-order the new High School Musical DVD, you get a discount on any other HSM item" she said. WOW! Suddenly it didn't matter which she picked. It would be at a discount. All Halee needed to do was go ahead and pay for the DVD she wanted to get anyway. A bonus for not waiting. Decision made! Because Disney chose to reward customers for buying early rather than holding off until the next hit came out to give an incentive for purchasing this HSM DVD, their sales numbers will likely be way ahead of pace before the first copies ship to the stores.

What if a car dealership did this? What if you visit a car dealership next August, only to find the 2009 model cars at regular price but the chance to pre-order a brand new 2010 model and get a $5,000 rebate? Suddenly, the way people buy cars would change. Granted, that may mean the manufacturers have to take a huge hit on the 2009 models, but it's really them who caused this whole fiasco anyway. Isn't it. One move like the incentive to pre-buy and over night car dealerships would regain the upper hand in the negotiating room. Something they lost years ago.

What are the things you can do to reward your customers for committing early? Find a good way and you'll save yourself a ton of stress at the end of your sales cycle.

Fat Stats (Week1)

2009-01-05T19:45:00.002-06:00

I reached my week 1 goal... barely. I'm down from 213 to 211. My goal is 2 pounds per week until I hit 175. Though I hit this goal, I'm pretty disappointed with myself. This goal was meant to be an average. I assumed I'd lose many more for the first few weeks and the weight loss would be harder to come by as I thinned out. I guess that is only the case if you take the task seriously. I do have to admit. Although I'm very serious about the goal and how I'll reach it, I was slow to take action steps other than eating a couple of pieces of fruit this week. Tomorrow, however, I'll be meeting a group at 5am for a good cold run. I'm on a mission and intend on accomplishing it.

Sale Ends Tomorrow... Yeah, Right!

2009-01-05T07:00:00.004-06:00

I was in a local health store about a week ago, and while visiting with the sales person, it became very clear that she did not know the differences in the two products she was showing me (that's a problem to discuss another time). Set on gathering more information before making my decision, I told her I'd go home and search on-line before making a purchase. This is when my poorly trained sales rep exclaimed "well you need to hurry back today because our sale will end tomorrow". My reply was simple... "oh, I'll decide right away then", and with that, my decision was made. I would probably buy on line, and if I did return to that store, it would be next week. I'm no dummy, this is the last week of December and everyone has January sales, right?

Here's my point. I didn't believe this sales person. She had, to my knowledge, not been untruthful in the entire eight minutes of my life that I knew her, so, why did I assume she was lying? Answer: She's a sales person.

Most businesses who use a sales force to market, gain a reputation for being untruthful mainly because of one "fib". The one your sales team uses to create a sense of urgency. Who buys a new car at the end of June because the rebates will change at the end of the month? Answer: Nobody, the rebates get even better closer to fall. For instance, there's a yellow page directory publisher who offers "early decision incentives (EDI)" for advertisers who sign up early. Most of the time they include a huge discount or bonus ads. The idea behind it its clear. Sales into the directory come easy at the end of the sales cycle because of the rush to not be "left out" before the publishing deadline. Nobody wants to be left out for an entire year. However, when the sales cycle begins, all those businesses want to wait. The book is a year from publishing. Offering those "early decision incentives" is a great way to get people to act now.

Great in theory, that is.

Here's where the system fails. In past years, the EDI did not end. Instead, it was available through the entire sales cycle. When customers realized this, they lost that sense of urgency to act early and could take their time. When that happens, management cringes because sales numbers look bleak until the end of a sales cycle and pacing of productivity is way off. To aide in quick sales during their panic, management will likely offer discounts trumping those EDI offered to loyal early acting customers. This further perpetuates the cycle of waiting until the last minute and crunched (often moved back) deadlines. But worse of all, slices a hole in trust your sales team is trying to build with clients. Not to mention, trust your team has in management. No honest sales rep wants to lie to their customer by selling at one price today, what they could get at a better price tomorrow. Especially when it comes at the price of not being "in the know" of their own company's deadlines. Customers will challenge these deadlines often, and most of those times, the customer will be correct.

Ponder this cycle and how it applies to what you're doing now. Come back tomorrow to hear the solution to this cycle. Hint: I found it at the Disney Store. It had something to do with what my 8 year old daughter wanted to spend her Christmas money from grandma on.

Feedback? Guesses?

"G" ?

2009-01-02T19:48:00.004-06:00

If you watched any of the traditional college football classics on New Year's Day, you saw the commercial. You probably went away asking... "What the heck does G mean?". You're not the only one. This topic was the #2 searched topic on Google yesterday. After recognizing some of the faces passing across the screen, I had a hunch. Turns out, my hunch was correct. This was the launch of a much anticipated new marketing campaign by Gatorade.

Genius? I think so. Not many companies have the cash flow to spend of this type of creative marketing. For most companies, they need each dollar to clearly state who they are and what they do. However, for a company that can afford to run the ad often enough to flood an area or demographic for a concentrated enough time frame, this is a brilliant attack.

Quaker Oats (who owns Gatorade) and PepsiCo. (who announced today, intent to purchase Quaker Oats) will probably always bookmark January 1st, 2009 as the day that more people searched for them, than nearly any other thing. What can you do to entice potential customers to search for you rather than you searching for them? Be creative. With enough creativity you too can make this happen on at least some level. Without spending millions of dollars in one day.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T15:12:00.003-06:00

Relax. Enjoy the day off. Play the hangman game above. Forward Awaken to your friends so they can play too. Maybe fluff your vocabulary for the new year. I know I could use it.

Resolution Time

2008-12-30T07:53:00.007-06:00

I've never much been a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Why? Because, I figure, that if someone has to wait until Jan 1 to begin their new thing, then they aren't that serious about it. Most NYRs are based on something that people have "had enough of" something or someone realizing that time is passing and they need to make a change. For most people (myself included) a drastic change in mindset has to take place. The simple change of the clock striking midnight on a certain day isn't enough. If it were, most NYRs would last past January. Resolutions that do last or succeed are normally started by more than the singing of that weird new year's eve song that everyone recognizes the tune of but nobody knows the words to (wait, here it is... "old acquaintance be forgotten, la la la, la la, la laaa). For most people something out of the ordinary takes place or something causes them to wake up and get serious.

With that said, I have somewhat of a NYR that I kicked off this week. I know I'll make it. How do I know? Because I started on the 28th of December. That's right. I had been realizing that things didn't quite fit the way they used to fit but, when my wife got me on the scale on the morning of Dec. 28th. I weighed 213 pounds. I know a lot of guys weigh 213, but, I'm only 5feet 7inches tall. I wanted to puke. I was so hacked off at myself for this that I decided a change needed to happen and it needed to happen right then. I already exercise quite extensively but have a passion for eating. That's right, right across the street from where I work out is a Taco Bell and I know I can pick up a #9 with a large sweet tea for $4.98 with tax included. I love to exercise, but when it comes to food, I have the willpower of a crack addict. Normally I only eat under certain conditions, like when I'm depresses, or happy, or bored, or working, or early in the mornings, or late at night. See where I'm going? At first, I thought that a lobotomy might be my best option.

Here's the deal... I need to weigh about 175 lbs. So, how do I plan to do it? A little at a time. I'm figuring on an average of 2 lbs lost each week through May 10th, 2009. Five months, I can do that. I'll leave a quick update each Monday for those of you wondering if I can do it or not. That will help me be accountable if I have to post my progress for all to see (well all 3 of you who read my blog that is). I've thought about picking up a supplement for a head start. I'm thinking that the quicker I see some results, the less likely I am to get discouraged. I'd like some opinions on that.

Bottom line is this. If you truly are tired of smoking, eating too much, not spending enough time with your family, not exercising, not giving 100% at your job, not spending enough time with God, whatever your NYR will be... If you really are serious, why wait 2 more days. Wake Up! Start right now!!!

Rudolph

2008-12-24T07:00:00.002-06:00

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is probably the most popular children's Christmas carol ever. But, have you ever truly checked out the story this song tells?

So, here's this outcast sleigh puller. He's born with some sort of weird thing going on with the electric pulses that move through his nervous system. It seems they back up extra current to his nose causing it to light up "like a light bulb". I had an uncle with a red bulbous nose but that was from all the booze. Rudolph's has a more natural cause. Well, anyway, all Rudolph's classmates think he's a real weirdo because he's not equipped like the other typical folks around his hood. The other hoofed helicopters laugh at him and call him names (like Pinocchio). They wouldn't even let him play Monopoly with them.

All this rejection gets ole Rudy down and he feels like some sort of failure due to all of the rejection when, right at his lowest point, who else but Santa himself asks Rudy to lead the way through a fog storm that otherwise would have made a disaster of the big guys Christmas Eve travel arrangements. His unique abnormality impacted the world in an awesome way that night.

You see, Rudolph was different for sure, but, he was made perfectly different for the purpose that God had in store for him. In some way, all of us have felt like a Rudolph did at the beginning of the song at one time or another. Everyone has had something they've tried to hide because it made them feel inadequate, or they were afraid of being rejected. I know for me, I would always catch a bunch of slack from my teachers for "over-analyzing" things. I was the kid that when given the written math problem about two trains leaving the station and what time each would arrive, would drive the teacher nuts at how more information was needed because one loaded heavier might take longer to get to top speed and a less trained driver might not make as quick of time. My teachers hated me. I wouldn't try to be a pain, but, couldn't stand not having all the information or knowing all variances weren't looked into completely. Now, I've realized that God put that into me so that I can find things that others sometimes can't. It helps when I'm consulting a client about what advertising options are best for them, or when I'm showing someone how scripture written thousands of years ago can pertain to their life today.

What is it about you that has made you feel like a Rudolph? What is unique about you that others have thought was strange? Listen to the song now and think of how can you use your shiny nose for a world changing purpose that God has implanted in your heart? When you find that, you'll begin to feel like the Rudolph at the end of the song rather than the one at the beginning. I know I did.

Mary, Did You Know?

2008-12-23T07:34:00.006-06:00

When I hear the song, Mary, did you know, I can't help but just imagine the storm of feelings that must have rushed through Mary, the young teen aged mother's heart. The song asks Mary if she knew things about the baby she'd just given birth to. The thing is, most of the questions this song asks, she did know.

As I type this, my four year old, Ruthie, is sitting on my lap and laying her head on me. I love it when my girls want do take time out of busy play to stop and cuddle their daddy. Times like this make me feel like the most awesome, special, and chosen, person in the world. My children have a special way of making me feel loved, and I'm so full of love for them that, at times, I feel like I could burst with this love. If you're a parent, I'm sure you've had those times when you want to do nothing but sit and admire your children. Maybe watching them sleep, or watching as they play alone and pretend to make conversation with their toys.

Now, can you imagine those same times mentioned in the previous paragraph, if you knew your child was the supernatural incarnation of God? Mary knew this. She knew that Jesus was destined to be the Savior of mankind. She didn't need to ask if he wanted to be a fireman when He grew up. She knew He created firemen. With all the feelings I have when I'm holding one of my children, I can't imagine the feelings I might have if I was entrusted with the upbringing of Gods chosen Messiah. I sometimes am nervous at my responsibility as a parent, but, she was responsible for the the care of God in the flesh.

Listen to the song now, and this time, meditate on your experiences with your own kids and what this young woman must have experienced that night in a cold barn.

The Little Drummer Boy

2008-12-22T08:00:00.003-06:00

The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas caroling classic. Most people can rattle off a few lines, or at least recognize the repetitive phrase, "pa rum pa pum pum". I was riding in the car with my family on the way to one of those seasonal visits to grandma's house when this popular winter hit began to play on the radio. My whole family was singing along joyously when my wife looked over and began to giggle at the tears welling up in my eyes. Most of you have figured out by now that I'm a big wuss, bu, before you plan your wisecracks, I'd like you to consider the story this song tells.

Here it is. The day of prophesy has come, and this little boy becomes saddened as he watches people giving precious, valuable gifts to the very Child of God. This kid is poor and has nothing he feels fit to give Jesus. So, in a stretch of desperation, he asks Mary if he may at least play his drum for her baby and receives a nod of permission from the new mother. Nervously, the young drummer begins to tap the drum and keep rhythm with the sounds of the animals who'd gathered around. Next thing you know, Jesus, the baby he came to worship, the savior of mankind, looked his way and smiled in approval of this young man and his desire to give all of himself to his King. You can feel the excitement that must have rushed though his entire body. He must have at that moment been numb with excitement and and the urge to shout with joy to The Lord. Even that which had seemed unworthy and meaningless to the boy a few minutes ago, was pleasing to Jesus because of the whole hearted God pleasing offering it was meant to be.

This should be the story of our lives. You think you don't have enough to give? You think you don't have what it takes? You DO! You have something. Maybe you have an hour you can dedicate to serving him through your local church. Maybe you have experiences and a compassion for kids and teens that you could use to introduce them to their savior. Maybe you could dedicate the songs you sing in the shower or at the red light to Him. No matter how tone deaf or how little rhythm you have (the boy in the song had to turn to animal sounds for rhythm help), I promise that a song of praise offered to Christ will be pleasing to HIM.

So, do me (and yourself) a favor, and listen to the song again now. While you do though, think of the things you'll do today. Find ways you can offer everything today as an act of worship to God who deserves ALL of our time and talents.

Hitler Birthday Cake

2008-12-18T06:28:00.005-06:00

I came across this story last night and it made me absolutely sick. It seems some backwards guy in New Jersey decided to name his kid Adolf Hitler. What?!!! You heard me. To top it off, his two daughters have the words "aryan nation" and "hinler". What losers.

These people got all hacked because the Shop Rite supermarket refused to put their son's full name on a cake. According to the supermarket, they've been declining this families similar requests for the past few years. Including, a request to put a swastika on a cake. I heard the mom on a television interview say how it hurt their feelings. Poor souls. I wonder if they think of all the people offended and with hurt feelings that a racist loser would use their kid as a billboard for a hate organization.

Of course Wal-Mart was more than willing to make the cake, but hey, they won't sell CD's with a parental advisory label. Give them some credit. They do have some standards.

Of course the real story is what these names will do to the poor kids who have to wear them. As an employer, I wouldn't hire someone who's name might offend my customers. Teachers, I'm sure will treat these kids differently than the rest of their class. Wrong or right, they will. I'm sure also that over the course of their upbringing there will be countless minorities whom after being offended or turned off by the names this family has chosen, will treat these kids differently (once again, wrong or right, they will). Those things will only fuel the hate these kids are being taught by their parents.

We've just elected our first black president for crying out loud! Get over it! Welcome to 2008! Just when it seems we've pulled out of the dark ages of our country. There's some loser ready to make an attempt to pull us back in.

I know this isn't my normal type of topic but this really hacked me off. Read the story and share your thoughts.

DIYer

2008-12-17T13:13:00.006-06:00

I'm currently in the middle of a small project for my wife. Just making some new cabinet doors for our entertainment center. Sounds simple enough right? Well it's actually not too bad. I was thinking though while I was working on them of how it's the little details that I miss and cause me to back up and re-visit three steps I'd already completed. This would probably not be a problem for someone who works with wood quite often. They would naturally understand the way the project would go and thus save time and the wasted gas from multiple trips to the hardware store. By the time I finish I probably will have saved some money, but to the tune of hours of wasted time (better spent making money at what I'm good at) and days of stress. Not to mention mediocre craftsmanship on the final product.

I make light of this situation, however, countless business owners every day begin projects or take on tasks that are not their best use of time and talent. As a business owner or manager, you must the following things when deciding whether to take on a task yourself or to pay someone.

What makes my company profit and does this fall in line?
How much profit would I realize for each hour I spend doing the things that make my company money?
How many hours do I anticipate spending on this project? (multiply this one by 2.5 if it's not something you regularly do, because it will ALWAYS take 2.5 times as long as anticipated)
Is quality an issue with this product? (someone who focuses all their time on this task will likely produce a better quality finished product)
Will faster finish time + money made and time saved by you while doing something else + results of a better quality product + stress and workload on yourself and staff = more value than the initial cost of hiring out the task.

For instance, many companies handle their own advertising. Most business owners however, are better at their trade or profession than they are at advertising. So, does it make more sense for an orthodontist to...

take time to meet with numerous representatives from many types of advertising media / take time to write ads / budget which advertising option gets how much of total ad budget / keep continual contact with ad reps to stay up to date on program & pricing changes
contract an advertising agent to learn his business goals and advertising budget then let the pro do the rest.

Chances are that in option two, the advertising agent will get the orthodontists practice seen in more places for the same budget as well as create better ads to bring in not only more business but the type of business that matches his client's goals. Ultimately making the orthodontist much more profit than the price of hiring the agent.

What things are you holding on to that you should "hire out"

What Messes Me Up?

2008-12-16T08:00:00.001-06:00

I was reading yesterday's blog from my friend Cari Kelly when I began to weep (like a schoolgirl after breaking up with her first boyfriend) while watching the video attached to her post. Those of you who know me, know that I can't keep from bawling at the thought of a kid in need or in pain. Sorry. I know that's not tough, or may lack in composure, or whatever you want to call it, but that's something God seems to use to mess me up quite often.

Why is it that we worry about trivial things like getting the latest generation of iPhone or Blackberry? Or stress over corporate layoffs and downsizing in a country with unemployment services? Why is it common for people drive a $40,000 car while complaing about being too "broke" to financially aide the single mom to get her kids into the local sports league.

We are a horribly petty society. We call these things "issues" when there are kids in the world (or in our own communities), who won't have a drink of clean water today. Kids who will not eat a meal over Christmas break because they won't get their school meal. Even worse, there are kids all over the world (and probably your street) who won't have anyone hold them and tell them they're loved today.

What can I do? God is messing me up about this for a reason. It burns a fire through me and I won't quit doing things about it until God decides to mess me up about something else some day. But, for now, this is consuming me.

So tell me...

What really messes you up? Causes uncontrollable feelings to rage in you?
What do you plan to do about it?

Who Are You Attracting/Excluding

2008-12-15T08:00:00.003-06:00

I always really get into the worship music at my church, but, yesterday I was caught up in an uncontrollable rejoice during this time. A guest visit by the University of Central Oklahoma's Ebony Gospel Choir rocked my world, and my church.

It was great to see this predominantly white group of people crying out to God to the worship styling of a different culture. As I looked around I saw more minorities in the crowd than usually attend this church. My wife, noticing the same thing, commented on how nice it was to have a more diverse crowd this weekend. We also discussed how though many of the visitors had church homes and were here to support friends or family who were performing, surely there were some visitors with no church home at all. How can we attract those mentioned with no church homes for future visits and to join our church family. It's strange how we can grow up in the same town, play on the same teams, go to the same schools, and worship the same God and exclude other races and cultures while we do it.

This experience made me really have to start thinking. Why is it that there are so few minorities in my church? I seriously doubt that someone decided to exclude minorities in our church. As I pondered this, I was reminded of a phenomenon described by John C. Maxwell in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The Law of Magnetism as described in this book states that "like attracts like" or that people attract others like themselves. Our church is great at reaching 20-40 year old white couples with young children. This is true primarily because that's the original group that started the church. They attracted others like them, and so begins the snowball effect.

The Law of Magnetism is evident all around us in society today and mostly in our churches.

Chances are that whatever organization you're leading (it's not just churches), there are people being missed by your business or ministry.

So, if this just happens naturally by the Law of Magnetism, how do we combat it? We use this very same phenomenon to our advantage. Maybe for you it's as simple as including a more diverse variety of music on the play list coming over the speakers of your business. For some of you it may be offering different styles or slogans to the apparel you sell. For our church, maybe it's adding a little more "soul" to our worship experience or more visits from that UCO Ebony Gospel Choir.

The point is that if the mission of your organization is to reach as many people as possible, you've got to ask what things you can do to become more "like" the people you've been missing.

Break Your Children

2008-12-12T06:36:00.005-06:00

I plan to break my children this week.

Here's what I mean. When I was young, my mother would make some HUGE meals. Not for us. She was a single mom with 4 kids to raise. She couldn't afford to feed us steak and potato meals all the time. However, any time a windfall of money (equal to an hour of overtime pay) would come her way, she'd splurge on a HUGE meal. This meal wasn't for our family though.

My mom would cook this meal with meat, potatoes, veggies, bread, and desert. The cool thing is what we would do with that meal. After it was finished, it would be served up on paper plates wrapped in foil to make as many meals as possible, then, we would drive around the city and find someone who seemed in need of a meal who we could give it to. As I grew older I would sometimes get out and give the meals to people, but my fondest memory is of sitting in the car and watching through the window as my mother would approach a stranger with what could possibly have been their first warm meal in days. I was so proud of my mom. Even though there were times I'm sure she wondered how she would provide for her kids, she found ways to give to so many others.

When times came that I was unable to wear the same shoes as the other kids, or wear the name brand jeans, or get a video game system (the original Nintendo), I understood how fortunate I was rather than focusing on what we lacked.

She "broke" me. Whenever I see someone in need, my heart breaks all over again. She created kids who love to give. Kids who love to help others. Kids who are grateful for everything they have. She created kids whose greatest desire is to help others. I now will begin to "break" my kids and pray that they will gain some of those same attributes from the experience.

Thanks Mom. Thanks for "breaking" me. You're my hero and I love you.

A Site With A Beat

2008-12-11T07:00:00.004-06:00

Does your website have music on it? If so, please pay attention.

We've all clicked on a link to a site and music began to blare through our computer's speakers. What was your reaction? Chances are, it was the same as mine usually is. After flinching from the startling surprise, I mute the music as fast as I can, then look around to see who else around me I disrupted. Some times I don't mind the music, but for the majority of sites with a beat, it's just a nuisance.

The first thing you should be sure of when designing your site is that everything there serves some sort of purpose. What purpose does your music serve? If your site is for your band, music store, or some other thing like that, then the music probably needs to be there so that your potential customers can get a small taste of what you're selling. If your site is a MySpace or FaceBook page, that page is there to tell about you and what you like, so, that shows surfers what music you like.

I would encourage anyone with a website to consider these things about their site.

What type of site is it? This is important whether a personal site, business site, non-profit organization, church, or whatever it may be.
What are the site's goals? Is the goal just to tell about you? Sell products? Encourage click-through traffic? Prompt a visit from potential customers or clients?
Who do you want to visit your site? Are your visitors going to be people seeking a vacation? A future bride looking for a wedding venue? Husband searching for an anniversary gift? The single mom who visited your church last week and is looking to learn more? Friends & family keeping up on you?
Will ALL of the people visiting your site like the same music as you?
Will the majority of your sites visitors turn down the music volume or delete it? If so it's probably because they're inconvenienced or annoyed by it.
If your last answer was yes, will your site still reach it's goals? Chances are, if your site is a tool that generates business, a yes answer to the previous question could effect your bottom line and therefore hinder your sites ability to accomplish it's goals.

If your site doesn't reach it's goals... you don't need the site.

Comments?

Creative Consequences

2008-12-10T07:00:00.001-06:00

When it comes to kids and discipline, many of us find ourselves resorting to the trusty ol' time out, spanking, or taking away of privileges. Next time your kid is banned from video games or their bicycle for a week, ask them afterward to explain in detail why that privilege was taken away in the first place. If the offense called for a spanking, wait an hour or two after the punishment and ask that same question. Rarely will the kid completely recall all the reasons for that punishment. Sometimes they will put some of the pieces together. Most of the time, to the parent's frustration, the kid will miss most of "the point".

I know, I know. That's frustrating, but, what are parents to do? Well, we constantly encourage our children to "stop and think" before acting. Why don't we do the same? Be Creative. Find a consequence that matches the offense directly. That way your kid CAN'T forget.

Here's some Ideas.

Offense: Teenager that slams his bedroom door.

Consequence: Take his bedroom door away. This can be taken off easily in about 30 seconds. Your teenager loses the privilege of that added privacy. They can trek to the bathroom to change clothes and stuff. It won't kill them, but they'll think about not slamming that door next time.

Offense: Daughter keeps forgetting to flush the toilet after using it.

Consequence: For 2 days, nobody in your family is allowed to flush after a trip to the restroom. Instead, your daughter must enter after each deposit to flush everyone elses stuff. Gross huh. But hey, that's what she expects mom to do. I bet she flushes from now on.

Offense: Kids are running through the house like its home of track and field competition.

Consequence: They must be on their knees when moving through the house for one day. They'll think this one's fun at first, but trust me. By the end of a full day of this, they'll be happy to walk around tomorrow.

O.K. I helped you get started but now it's up to you. Stop and take some time before just defaulting to the same ol' consequence that didn't work last time. Then, go. Be creative.

Be sure to comment and share your ideas.

The Hookup

2008-12-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

We've all seen them. We've all used them. I'm talking about those little cards or keychain tags that businesses punch a hole in when we make a purchase. I have one that I keep in my car's console for the coffee shop across town. Many times I've made that drive because I was only x number of cups away from a free latte, even though I passed 4 other coffee shops with free wifi on the way there. Then there's the oil change place around the corner that gets me excited about a 3,000 mile oil change. I no longer push it to 5 or 6 thousand miles because I know that would delay the time between now and my free oil change that they are "giving" me.

Whether you're leading a ministry, a retail business, or service business, you should be giving your customers or attenders a reason not only to return to you rather than your competition but to return sooner rather than later. Maybe, "since you've purchased this item, you receive $10 off a second for a friend or family member if you order this month".

One more note. The oil change place I mentioned, they have this down to an art. Sometimes, when the manager is the one checking me out after my service, he'll give my keychain tag an extra hole punch... and make sure to tell me he's doing it (in a nonchalant way). Even though I'm sure that nearly every repeat customer receives this same advantage, I can't help but to feel some what special or like a bit of an insider. The manager likes me so much he's giving me "the hookup".

Find a reason for people to return often. Then take the next step and give them "the hookup".

Integrity or Technicality

2008-12-08T07:00:00.005-06:00

In tough economic times, it's challenging but evermore important that business leaders don't sacrifice integrity on the alter of business success. One way many leaders do this is by using technicalities to justify their actions. I know many of you have seen this in the past and may be witness to it now. Here's one instance I recently experienced.

I have a long time friend who has always displayed integrity and honesty in his leadership. These are two things many people could recognize as his core values without having to ask him. The friend of mine is in a high level leadership position for a well known company that has been disrupted by recent economic struggles. A short time ago, the company he works for witnessed the unfortunate layoffs of over 200 people across the country in one day. While speaking to his nervous team who had just found out the news, he was asked the question, "How will the layoffs effect the sales staff". His answer was that no sales reps would be layed off. I emphasise the term layed off because this was where the technicality took place. One week later, 3 sales reps from that team were relieved of their employment. When talking to my friend about the situation he stated that the sales reps lost their jobs due to performance and were fired... not layed off. I would argue though that they may have been chosen due to their sales performance, however I don't believe those people would have been fired (at least not without notice or at this time) had it not been for downsizing of the company.

Technically, he told the truth. They were chosen to be fired due to performance. Not layed off. However, when looking at this through a lens of integrity, it's easy to see the corporate spin.

We all are suspect to this condition. When times are tough, it's often easy to spin things so that they are technically correct even though we know in our hearts that an incorrect message is being received. Maybe you've told the bank you "technically" make a certain salary so that you could get that loan. Or, maybe you told your insurance you "technically" don't smoke to same on your monthly premium. Or, maybe you told a prospective employer that you "technically" had a certain title in a previous job, even though the title didn't match you experience.

Bottom line is. If you have to justify your integrity with technicalities, you might consider re-communicating your message.

What's your take?

JC

Super Fellon

2008-12-05T07:00:00.008-06:00

My wife (Pepper) and I both do business on the internet. I in the area of marketing (custom labeled water bottles, search engine marketing, website marketing), she sells all sorts of stuff. Pepper is a genius at finding niche places and specialty sites to market what she's selling. One thing she sells a ton of is motorcycle parts. That's right. My wife has the best deals on the motor cycle parts you need.

On my way out the door to get a haircut yesterday, she asked if I would stop by the post office and get 3 large flat rate shipping boxes (you get them, fill them, and pay when you ship them) to bring home to her. She told me right where they were and what they looked like. About 15 minutes later, I strolled into the post office, found the rack with boxes, grabbed 3 of the largest ones, and strolled back to my car to head to my haircut. All while enjoying a phone conversation with a good friend of mine.

After the haircut, I went straight home to bring my wife her boxes (I'm proud. I remembered them). My wife looked at them and said "Wrong boxes. That's not them." I then looked at them again to see the price clearly marked $3.49 on each of them. That's right. I stole $10.47 worth of merchandise from the US Postal Service. I'm pretty sure that's some sort of federal offense. Needless to say, I'll be making a trip to the post office today so that I can do the "walk of shame" and return my stolen goods.

Moral of the story. - Pay complete attention to your wife's instructions. She may save you some time in prison.

JC

OU/Texas... Be Honest

2008-12-04T07:00:00.002-06:00

If you're a sports fan you've no doubt been bombarded with controversy talk for the last few weeks. You know, the whole OU, Texas, Big12, BCS thing. Here's my take and how I would vote. If I had a vote.

I'll preface by saying that I definitely am an OU football fan. However, unlike most who dawn the crimson and cream apparel on Saturdays, I can set my cheering agenda aside and admit that our foes from the south do have a legitimate argument. There are many things that both of these teams have in common but I'll focus on what separates them.

+ 4 wins over teams currently ranked in the top 25 - OSU / Texas Tech / Cincinnati / TCU

+ Strong road win over OSU

+ Possibly the hottest team in the country at this time. Even being accused of "running up the sore" while playing backups early in the fourth quarter

- Loss to Texas on a neutral field

Texas

+ 3 wins over teams currently ranked in the top 25 - OU / OSU / Missouri

+ Strong win on neutral field over OU

- Loss to Texas Tech on last minute touchdown on the road.

Now that we know those things, who would I vote for? Well, it depends. It depends on whether I was asked to vote for the team I thought was the best team or which team deserves the higher ranking. If I was to vote on which team "deserved" the higher ranking, I'd have to give Texas the nod. They played on an even level and gave 90%-100% effort every time out. Their loss came on the road in a close one. And they had the head to head win over OU. However, if I was to vote for the team that I thought was the better of the two, I would give the edge to OU. I know, I know, Texas already beat them on a neutral field. Consider this though. On that day in early October, OU played arguably their worse, most sloppy game of the season while Texas played one of their most impressive games of their season. If the two played 10 times I believe OU would win 7.

One more thing for OU fans to consider. With the track record that the Sooners have built in BCS games, these next two games are must wins. With all the controversy and whining going on, a loss in either the Big12 Championship or the BCS Championship would be devastating to the egos of OU fans everywhere. When you get a break... you better not squander it.

Your thoughts?

Christmas... Without all the Crap

2008-12-03T07:38:00.006-06:00

My wife (Pepper) and I were with a group of friends recently when I said "I hate Christmas". Well, I know that's what I said but not actually quite what I meant. So, In the following paragraphs I'll try to clarify my feelings on this subject.

I'll first off mention that this conversation was taking place 1 week before the Thanksgiving holiday. Boy I LOVE Thanksgiving! Not just because of a four-day weekend, football, or event the excuse to overeat. Thanksgiving to me, is like Christmas... without all the crap. Think about it. Even the annual cartoons on television will focus on being thankful and surrounded with those you love. Even giving. We share a meal together (which is a special thing). Many cultures would consider the sharing of a meal as the most intimate and precious thing people can do together. It represents the sharing of that which sustains life.

Unfortunately, for many of us, in less than a week we shifted our focus from what am I thankful for to ... what do I want. I guess this is what I hate about what Christmas has become in our society. The world around us focuses on not being "shown up" by someone who buys a cooler or more expensive gift than them or focuses on a fat guy in a fur coat who can magically sneak into our homes at night and eat our food (kinda creepy when you think of it... huh).

I would like to pose a challenge. My challenge is to treat Christmas like Thanksgiving. Focus on what you've been given (a savior, unconditional love from a holy father, grace, etc) rather than what you will get or even what you will give. Whenever those around you are talking aobut Christmas spirit, mention the real spirit behind Christmas. Celebrate Christmas without all the crap.

I'm taking the challeng. Will you?

JC

What do frogs write on?

2008-12-02T22:11:00.004-06:00

Want to be the coolest parent on the block? I think every parent has wanted that at some time or another. Try these 3 easy steps...

Check out this link ( http://kids.yahoo.com/jokes ) or search the term "jokes for kids" on your favorite search engine.
Make a short list of a few silly jokes that your kids will think are great and keep it handy.
Break out a random joke from the list when your kid has friends over so they can all hear it and laugh together. Or, use it to put a smile on your own kids face by whispering it to them during one of those sad or grumpy times.

Next thing you know, you'll be the hit of the neighborhood, and your kid will be the one with the "coolest parents". Unless you live on my street. :)

By the way... Q: What do frogs write on?

A: Lilly pads.