Some bits of wisdom are truly timeless. As Steve Jobs explained to Apple employees upon his return to the company in 1997:
“To me, marketing is about values. This is a very complicated world, it’s a very noisy world. And we’re not going to get the chance to get people to remember much about us. No company is. So we have to be really clear on what we want them to know about us.”
That advice fits, whether you’re an independent brick and mortar merchant struggling to stay visible in a big box world -or- a grass roots movement reconnecting consumers to those same merchants. “People with passion,” as Jobs put it, “can change the world we live in.”
Take a few moments to watch the video, then ask yourself: Do I value the existence of local, independent, brick and mortar businesses in my community? If the answer is yes, ramp it up. Get active. Get out there.
Add this to the list of absurd, over-the-top, flat out ridiculous ideas that prove human brains do, on occasion, short circuit. From CNN Money: “Missoni for Target rain boots hit eBay for $31,000.” The lunatic woman listing them claims she won’t budge on the price since (here’s the kicker) the money is for her child’s college education.
Uh, yeah. Great financial planning strategy (not).
Color me crazy, but if someone’s got $31,000 to drop on a pair of rubber boots, I’m willing to bet the Missoni in their closet is from a couture showroom, not something they’d see high school kids wear to the mall.
I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. :::sigh:::
Thanks to Des Bennett (The Perfect Touch) in Tulsa, OK for the news tip.
Hearing about a Minnesota woman who sold her car, only to learn later the stack of $100 bills was nothing but counterfeit, made me wonder: How many merchants can spot a fake when it slides across their counter?
Sure, there are counterfeit pens you can use to test each one, but odds are, you’re not testing each and every $5, $10, and $20; most (all) are the real deal. Just in case, though, here’s a quick study guide to help you and your staff pick up on hints that it might be time to grab the marker after all.
If anything, it’s an interesting read (especially number 3 on the list—Design Features Which Vary On Genuine Currency—which demonstrates how much we don’t notice when looking at a bill).
It’s not often (read: extremely rare) I mention politics on the blog—and (to date) never, ever on The 3/50 Project’s Facebook page. But today might be different.
I received a forwarded email from my father imploring its readers to support a mythical Congressional Reform Act of 2011 (something of note since Dad’s not a fan of forwards). This is the fourth? fifth? sixth? time I’ve received this particular missive from someone, reflecting just how frustrated we all are with Congress.
Which got me thinking: Wouldn’t it be something if the guys on the Hill had to operate by the same standards as independent brick and mortars on Main Street? [click here to continue…]
My brother is the third generation running our family business (cattle, corn, and horses). Lucky me, I got to watch generations #1 and #2 build what Greg sits at the helm of today. It wasn’t until adulthood that it struck me–evenings around our family dinner table doubled as Master Class sessions titled “How to Succeed as an Entrepreneur,” with Dad in the role of Professor.
Granted, I wouldn’t be able to take more than 32 seconds of this guy in person, but the professional stationer in my soul can’t argue with his logic. A business card says/screams/whispers volumes about the quality one comes to expect from the person behind it. Great card? The impression is “great success.” Chintzy card? The impression is wobbly, or worse.
As for 60# Strathmore: Ick. Flimsy stuff. No disagreement there.
But the die cut, pop up, fold open personal extravaganza he uses instead? Well, let’s just say that’s the part of the video that garnered howls of laughter around here. It does prove the premise that cards are reflections of their owners…
…including those with mammoth egos. I’m just sayin.’
I’m a big fan of Seth Godin. The guy is just plain genius.
Today’s post on his blog demonstrates that, and is a good reminder for anyone who has employees. Check it out here, then remember to pass along the good vibe.
I’m a big fan of Seth Godin. The guy is just plain genius.
