business 101

State of the Union

It happens to me every year when the State of the Union speech is scheduled. I get conflicted. Like most Americans I want to hear what is being said. On the other hand I come away woefully disappointed and disillusioned. Typically the content of the speech is somewhat delusional and not founded in fact. Skewed to say the very least. Then the cameras scans the audience. There in lies the real problem. It would appear that most members of Congress have held their respective positions far too long. Could you imagine running a company with the same management team for 20 or 30 years? Just how cutting edge and relevant  would that company be? Behind the President we see Biden and Pelosi often times distracted and seemingly not paying attention. As the camera scans the crowd I wonder;  "Don't we, as Americans, owe ourselves more than this?" Are these folks the best and the brightest for these times?

Somehow, as a country, we manage to survive. Isn't it about time we excel?

stay on the offensive and make a difference.............

LINCHPIN, Seth Godin's..........

......latest masterpiece, is quite remarkable.

Overall the book is well thought out and reveling on many levels. We're presented a rationale for the predicament we find ourselves in and repeatedly challenged with a call to action. Yes, the system is broken. Working within the system, or working to change the system, is not for the faint hearted. Collectively and individually we are called upon, using our innate abilities, to make a difference, become indispensable.

The book starts off slowly however, once again, Seth delivers in his very simplistic approach. The diagrams, a nice touch, were over the top in simplicity and explanation.

stay on the offensive and make a difference..........

Embroidery is a ......

Image via Wikipedia

......three dimensional art form. Most recognize the corporate design or logo that establishes a brand, ie; Ralph Lauren's polo pony, or the distressed appliques found in Abercrombie & Fitch. All of these applications clearly demonstrate the artistic aspects of embroidery.

Embroidery has been an integral part of the rich history of decorated apparel and textiles. Those of you practicing in the promotional profession, who accept the premise of the art form, should cash in when selling decorated apparel. That is if you're selling. Far too many, in the profession, are order takers not rain makers.

stay on the offensive and make a difference..........

  

Inspiration and........

...encouragement.

Last week at EXPO it was......Brilliance, Fascination, Distinction and now LINCHPIN.

There's a common thread here, no? Conspiracy theory at least?

Has the system really held us back, dumbed it down and simply made us less than we are?

Stay on the offensive and make a difference.

Reading materials..........

Returning home from the PPAI EXPO I was greeted with a few choices in reading materials.

Fascinate: 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation by Sally Hogshead is featured in a column (pg 20)in the February 2010 edition of INC magazine. Timely in that she spoke at PPAI EXPO just the other day. Great presentation and quite lively.

Finally received the anxiously awaited arrival of Seth Godin's new book LINCHPIN. Got through the introduction before falling asleep. The last paragraph was of the introduction was profound in it's simplicity. Looking forward to reading today.

The other book that arrived was the revised edition of WORD OF MOUTH MARKETINGby Andy Sernovitz. I've been a hugh proponent of WOM for a very long time. The advent of Social Media Channels coupled with effective use of WOM makes it possible to achieve greater success in your marketing efforts.

I'll spend several hours today getting into LINCHPIN.

stay on the offensive and make a difference.......

Carpe Diem......

..... a well worn cliche. I've spent this week at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. This is THE show for the Promotional Professional. I participated as a presenter, walked the show floor and attended Board meetings. There is, as usual, a sense of optimism in the air however guard. This crowd of Sales Professionals embodies the American spirit.

A host of speakers did a great job to motivate, inspire and deliver stark realities. Simon Bailey, a clever young man and author, encouraged us to unlock our personal brilliance. Scott McKain spoke about the Collapse of Distinction. "Fascination is the single most powerful way to influence behavior" and Sally Hogshead di a wonderful job sharing her thoughts. The legendary James Carville demonstrated that he could present a balanced series of observations regarding our government. He pointed out, regardless of the campaign rhetoric, That change has never taken place inside the beltway. He further concluded that a third party may gain traction as public discontent continues to rise. I have a renewed respect for Mr. Carville. Semper Fi.

It was good doing the Associations business, seeing old friends while making new ones. Participating in professional development as a presenter and a student is always uplifting. So I leave EXPO with a sense of renewal. Until next year...........

stay on the offensive and make a difference.

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"in this economy".....

......is a phrase that was used by several folks in the audience of a seminar I gave yesterday at the PPAI Expo. The presentation explored the dynamics of pricing. Earlier in the day, James Carville in his keynote, said it best when he noted "a few years ago it was about the economy, stupid. Today it's more like "what economy."

That being said, isn't it time to put the economy out of you're mind? I dare say we would be better off by focusing on the task at hand. For me, as an example, it's time to do a better job of marketing my company. Casting the net a bit farther and wider in the search for new clients. At the same time I'll cast a critical eye on the processes employed by my company. It's about exchanging complacency for relevance.

Don't become immobilized by the fear of "this economy". Become inspired!

On the road.....

Getting ready to spend a week in Las Vegas attending the PPAI Expo.

I decided to try posting using my Iphone since I won't be taking my laptop.

A true testament to just how "connected" we are.

This is a test. In the event.........

Sent from my iPhone

Social media is a ..........

........tool not the SILVER BULLET!

But then you knew that, right?

It's much like farming...if you don'r plnt, cultivate and harvest..........well then you'll go without.

The beauty is that the tools are available, the field, if you will, is tilled and you''re ready to go.

You are ready to go, right?

Send me your best effort as a case study.......I'll show you just how easy it is. Even if you're an old guy like me!!!!!

I'll share so you can see how this all works....................

Much a do about...........

JACK....business?  It's not all that complicated.

I keep going back to the military as an example. How, why is it that  small units always, for the most part, achieve success? Sure there's the chain of command, rules, regulations & orders etc. BUT that doesn't do it.  Small unittactics, isn't enough however, when the stuff hits the fan and chaos reins it's about leadership, teamwork and a dash of luck. The underlying tenants of discipline set the frame work for the unit to respond to all they encounter.

So it is in business. The organization is trained, disciplined and highly motivated. But is it positioned to respond efficiently and effectively. Can they respond? Are they given the tools and the responsibility to go "outside" the existing scenarios to achieve?

When the bullets are flying it's JACK BE NIMBLE JACK BE QUICK!

Food for thought .........

....as we begin 2010.

Ponder, if you will, this closing paragraph from SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION (Mitch Joel).

" Six Pixels of Separation is not about how you connect your business more efficiently in these online channels to be successful. It's too late for that. We are all intrinsically connected. In this world of interconnectedness, the bigger question is, how are you going to spread your story, connect, and add value to your life and the people whose lives you touch? How are you going to explore your network to grow your net worth? How are you going to dd tremendous value to a brand, product, or service that can always be made cheaper and faster by someone else? How are you going to connect and stay connected?"

A daunting challenge? What choice do you have?

OK, so here we go.........

....into Business 2010!!!!! I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning to get here!!!! Starting off with a swim @ 0600. Off to school with Ollie at 0730 then on to the office. Let the GAMES begin!!!!!

Lots to do this week in preparation for next week's PPAI EXPO. I'm looking forward to the meetings, a couple of presentations, a few conversations, some interrogations, etc. Good old fashion FUN!

Sadly, trade shows have become "commoditized".

stay on the offensive, have fun and make a difference!