Tips for Improving Your Business in 2010
A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American
Five Tips for Improving Your Business in 2010
I've been seeing a lot of business resolution lists for 2010. Most of them have been pretty meaningless and lacking any real "meat." But I did cull out 5 things that I think can benefit many businesses.
- Stay in front of customers and prospects. A critical lesson from 2009 is that every customer is important. That means calling, emailing, visiting and (shudder) listening. Make yourself continually visible to customers and prospects by increasing your communication efforts, whether online, word-of-mouth, seminars, tradeshows, press releases, Web site updates, blog ... whatever. Get out there and stay out there.
- Go to the cloud. Switch more of your business applications to be Internet-based - rather than based on a server or desktop. Yes, there's usually a monthly charge, but there's continual upgrades at no extra charge, backup/security (if you choose a highly reliable provider), and access anywhere there's an Internet connection.
- Learn more about social networking. Yes, much of social networking is hype; but some is realistic. Learn enough about these to see whether it's worth your time and money to develop a social networking strategy for your particular business. Create a profile on LinkedIn, start a Facebook page, check out Twitter. These may not be appropriate for your business, but you should know what they're about before just dismissing them out of hand.
- Start a newsletter ... traditional or e-mail. If you already have a newsletter, send it out more frequently. (see #1) Make sure there's always something of value for the reader ... even if it's just a chuckle. Otherwise it'll go straight to the recycle bin. My award-winning printed newsletter (B&M's newsletter, actually) has been published regularly for nearly 20 years. If a copy gets lost in the mail you can bet the person who was suppose to receive it, calls us. Our newsletter is popular because it's unique, fun and useful. If you want to see some back issues, click here.
- Lastly and most importantly, always keep in mind what truly matters. (See Dale's note below.) Make 2010 a year of gratitude for health and happiness. Do your part to increase the world's supply of joy and opportunity.
KFC Ties "Fiery" Wings Promotion with Community Service
Via AdFreak: Last year, KFC fixed potholes in five U.S. cities in exchange for putting some "Re-Freshed by KFC" brand messaging on the street. Now, it's offering to improve fire hydrants, extinguishers and smoke alarms in towns across the nation to help promote its new "fiery" chicken wings.
"Is your city feeling the heat?" asks KFC president Roger Eaton in a letter to U.S. mayors. "We invite you to tell us why we should help you extinguish the problem in your community."
To kick things off, KFC upgraded hydrants in Brazil, IN (above), and provided 33 new fire extinguishers and 1,000 new smoke detectors to Indianapolis. It accepted funding requests through Jan. 28 and will announce the winning cities soon.
Funniest Farve Commercial, Ever
Here's an unauthorized revision of the Sears commercial with Brett Favre, where he can't decide which TV to buy. It's really funny. Kudos here go to TVNewser Editor Kevin Allocca
Who Knew NV Prostitution Only Meant Women?
I file this under things I never thought about until I read about them in a newspaper. That means that I never really thought about it, but in the back of my mind I guess I assumed that legalized prostitution in NV covered both sexes. I was wrong.
Nevada is the only U.S. state to allow some legal prostitution. Currently eight out of Nevada's 16 counties have active brothels. Contrary to popular belief, prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas ... which doesn't mean it doesn't happen ... it's just not legal. And don't get me started about those guys who push cards and flyers in your face as you try to walk down the street in Vegas.
Anyway, until recently men were effectively banned from legally plying the world's oldest profession in NV by the specificity of a state health law requiring prostitutes to undergo frequent "cervical testing" for sexually transmitted diseases. The term "cervical" disqualified men. Who knew?
However, the health board recently approved a regulation to allow urethral testing for men. So now the owner of The Shady Lady, a brothel more than two hours' drive from Las Vegas, hopes to hire Nevada's first legal male prostitutes within a month. But are women ready for "Stud Farms?" Judge for yourself by reading this article from ABC News.
On the other hand, the Shady Lady is now looking for "a few good men," so you can apply by going to their Web site.
While We're on the Subject ... Sort of ...
A reader of this blog who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that she found this Web site on the back page the Village Voice. I don't know why she thought I'd be interested in it ... but there may be female readers out there who will be. And I suppose the hardworking men of Jockstrap Maid Service deserve some exposure, so to speak.
The service is just what you'd think ... cleaning services by men in jockstraps. I went to the Web site. I know it's not aimed at me; but in my opinion some of the guys need to wear more clothing, not less.
Embrace Life ... Always Wear Your Seatbelt
We've all seen PSAs that resort to harrowing images to pound the message of safe driving into our heads.
I encourage you to click here to see a wordless ad with the same message, but without graphic violence ... and it's still able to induce tears in the process. "Embrace Life" is from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership in the UK. But the ad is non-language specific, so that the message won't become lost when viewed by visitors outside the UK where English might not be their first language." If you've got kids who drive, forward this to them.
A Personal Note from Dale Brown
This year marks the 30th anniversary of a visit my brother and sister-in-law made to my home for dinner and to share in the excitement of my first television appearance. I had won a talent contest in Milwaukee and as a result was a featured performer on a local television show, which had been taped earlier. We sat around the television talking, laughing and waiting for my four minutes of fame. I was really happy that Ray, who was six years my senior, was there to share in the celebration of my modest achievement.
After the show was over we talked some more and laughed some more and then Ray and Carol left for home. It was the last time I ever saw him. A drunk driver who was traveling the wrong direction on the freeway killed my brother in a head-on collision. Ray was 39.
Ray never had a chance to meet my daughter; he wasn't around to offer advice as I faced the challenges of starting up my own company; he never knew that I would drive a racecar or perform in Las Vegas; and he wasn't there to help care for our parents as they grew old or to share in the grief of their loss. I still miss him. His death was a tough way to learn that, "There is a first time and a last time for everything ... and sometimes you don't even get that."
Life can be hazardous. But I don't believe that means we should try to live risk-free. On the contrary, if you just let life happen, you risk missing out on "living." The road not taken ... the destination not explored ... the adventure not pursued ... all lead to regret. I don't believe that Ray had many "regrets," when it came to "living."
Ray and I were friends as well as brothers. Thirty years after his passing, his influence continues to impact the way I live my life. Thanks Ray. We're still thinking of you.