As you recall from my earlier rant about the ease with which Verizon kicked me to the curb caused me to reevaluate our relationship a few weeks ago, I’d decided it was time to break up. Or, more aptly put, had come to recognize that I loved Verizon a whole lot more than Verizon loved me.
Broken hearted, but firm in my resolve, I was packing by bags and leaving, headed toward a shiny new iPhone and ATT…just as soon as my New Every Two contract would release me sans penalty.
Fast forward to last Wednesday. [click here to continue…]
Billboards have been a real “thing” with me lately. Good, bad, and you’ve-got-to-be-joking, each one a direct reflection of the organization or business who paid for it.
So…how many parents in South Bend, Indiana realize their children are attending “pubic” schools?
Proofread, people. Seriously.
To read the full story, click here.
(P.S. to residents of South Bend: Sorry for the back-to-back posts about things happening in your community, but you’re been giving me a lot to work with lately.)
Real life occasionally provides unexpected “teaching moments.” A doozie came to my attention over the weekend, thanks to a restaurant owner in South Bend, Indiana and her terribly misguided idea about how to capture customer loyalty. [click here to continue…]
Warning: Rant ahead.
The grocery manager at my locally owned, independent market will attest to the fact I’m a soldier when it comes to brand loyalty. Not only have I stuck with them for twenty-four years, but numerous brands found on their shelves have retained Must Have Status in my every day life.
This spring, the laundry detergent I’ve used for delicate loads for 15 years suddenly disappeared from the shelves. He searched high and low—including at competing stores—but couldn’t locate it anywhere.
Two months ago, my favorite oatmeal vaporized. He got on the horn with the distributor, learned the manufacturer had discontinued the item…then inquired about possible substitutes.
When things go south, he finds solutions. When an item’s forever gone, he suggests alternatives. When he sees me sauntering up the aisle, he greets me with a smile, aware there’s a 50/50 chance we’re about to embark on another exploration.
Solutions and smiles solidify long term loyalty. He gets it. [click here to continue…]
One of the questions I’m asked all the time is “Which three businesses are YOUR favorites, Cinda?” Talk about a loaded question; since most of my haunts are independents, narrowing the list to three is impossible (not to mention it would get me clobbered by those who landed in positions four, five, six, etc.). Just too many to count.
The question that’s been haunting me the past week is this: Which three businesses have we already lost that I’d give my right arm to have back? That’s easy: [click here to continue…]
Click the image above to download the flyer
As you’re headed off to a gift show this next couple of months, think about this….
Those of us connected to the gift industry are privy to a lot of people’s celebrations—birthdays and bar mitzvahs, holidays and housewarmings. Pretty cool gig. You sell gifts. They give gifts. Voila!
Well, here’s your chance to give something special too…and it won’t cost you one penny more than you’re going to spend anyway. [click here to continue…]
For those of you who use a business PayPal account, heads up: There’s another scam floating around via email.
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Yet again, I’ve been caught cringing when someone extols the virtues of “buy local.”
If that hasn’t shocked a few of you, well…nothing will. For those of you on the floor, please take a deep breath, rally around, and hear me out. Pretty sure you’ll end up agreeing with me in a moment. [click here to continue…]
