Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Giddy up Texas!
Intriguing concept based on the "4 Hour Work Week" strategy.
I'll keep you posted!
Giddy up Texas!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Facebook: Signs of Addiction
Facebook User Information
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
FastCompany: 100 Most Creative People In Business
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Don't be a Mo...
So, why's the 2009 Lexus IS-F the ninth most expensive new vehicle in the U.S. to insure? Probably because it's capable of doing what you see in the photo above. If that's how you plan to drive, though, you'll spend way more replacing rear tires than the $1,881 on average it costs to insure the IS-F.
Autoblog 08/06/09
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Branding!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fact or Fiction?
Test your trivial trivia knowledge! Answers are at the bottom. Good luck!
1. Stress will turn your hair gray
2. Running on a treadmill puts the same amount of stress on your knees than running on asphalt or pavement
3. Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different
4. According to U.S. laws, a beer commercial can never show a person actually drinking beer
5. When it comes to working out, you've got to feel some pain if you're going to gain any benefits
6. Organized crime is estimated to account for 10% of the United States’ national income
7. Cravings are your body's way of telling you it needs something
8. To sell your home faster, and for more money, paint it yellow
9. Acne is caused by not washing properly
10. Caffeine improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks
Answers (Don't Cheat!): 1. Fiction 2. Fact 3. Fact 4. Fact 5. Fiction 6. Fact 7. Fiction 8. Fact 9. Fiction 10. Fact
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
facebook. Friend or foe?
Ok, I'm finally in with the rest of the herd.
Got my facebook set up and LOVE IT!
I've resisted for a long time. Didn't think it was for me. I'm too busy. I'm too old. I'm not a "follower".
Put this one next to a couple of my finest predictions:
- "Yeah dude, Ryan Leaf is going to be way better than Peyton Manning."
- "Vista is gonna be amazing!"
- "I'm not an Apple guy. Don't see me buying a Mac."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Is it fair to ask for billing reports?
- You get fired
- You end up "washing" the hours out in the next billing
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Rendering your computer useless
Take away the Web!
Don't believe me? Disconnect your cable modem, DSL or whatever you use to connect to the Web. Sounds like no big deal right?
Wait a second...
No email
No facebook
No sports updates
No blogging
No stock updates
No weather updates
No online shopping
No news updates
No Web surfing
Get the point?
What did we do in the "good old days"?
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, March 16, 2009
In my bag
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Mark of Excellence
Monday, February 9, 2009
Luxury in a down market
Things are tough all over.
Exhibit #1 - David Yurman's Valentine's Day mailer.
I wonder how many "takers" they'll have for Valentine's Day trinkets that cost upwards of a grand.
On a serious note, it's really tough to market anything right now so you have to feel for the true luxury brands. True "luxury" brands (brands that are based on disposable income) are dying on the vine right now.
It will be interesting to see if they can adapt and stay relevant through the economic downturn.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Slant Playmakers
Her background in newspapers has paved the way for a successful freelance career, during which she’s written for Marie Claire, FOXNews.com, USA Today, Modern Bride, Islands and many others.
She also writes a weekly advice column entitled Ask a Bachelor, which appears in Atlanta’s The Sunday Paper. In addition, she writes for trade publications, news agencies and corporate clients, including American Express and Turner.
Don't let the smile fool you, she's all you can handle!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Strategy - Offensive Mindset
Before we can execute any plays from the “Offense” side of our Playbook we need to get in the right mindset. It’s tough to summarize all of the physical and mental attributes of the most successful entrepreneurs so let’s use a sports analogy and find a QB!
Easy Raider fans, I’m not going to use our QB. (even though Rich Gannon is still my favorite)
For this discussion, we’re going north... Indy.
Our subject... Peyton Manning. (Thanks Dot & Ed, I’m officially converted!)
Put aside all of his physical skills for a moment. I can argue that he is at best, “ upper mid-pack” for arm strength, agility and speed (dude is slow). Brother Eli probably wins the Manning family cookout throwing contests. Tom Brady does the best job of pocket agility since Joe Montanna. Mike Vick’s speed was measured with a stop watch, Peyton’s with a calendar.
That being said, give me one game with everything on the line and my choice is simple... Peyton Manning.
He embodies all of the attributes needed to win in business and football.
Student of the game
- Peyton puts in the time to study and watch film.
- He analyzes the competition’s strengths and weaknesses.
- He searches for patterns and flaws in their execution.
- He understands their tendencies and habits.
Strategist
- He serves as a coach on the field, understanding not only the play but how each player must execute it.
- He evaluates his strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to craft a game plan with the highest probability of success.
- He stays with the plan despite short term challenges and set backs.
- He is mechanically sound, practicing all of the components that are within his control. The result is a consistent level of performance.
Tactician
- He is mentally agile and can adapt the game plan in real-time.
- He has the ability to “read” (observe) defenses and “recognize” (interpret) situations.
- He has the confidence to call audibles or change the play. (watch him at the line of scrimmage, he reads the defense and changes anything from the formation to play itself)
- He goes though his “progression” of receivers quickly to select the best option. (the Sprint commercial with him in the hotel hallway, looking behind the doors of multiple rooms, while the defender bears down on him is brilliant!)
Execution
- He sticks with the plan, finding ways to learn as he executes scripted plays.
- He consistently uses his strengths to minimize his weaknesses, leaving little to ‘chance’ or competitive exploitation.
- He takes calculated risks.
- He quickly gets past interceptions and errors, seldom making the same mistake twice.
- He leads.
See how this mindset aligns with playing offense in your industry?
- Do your homework
- Have a game plan
- Have a Playbook
- Be mentally agile
- Be consistent
- Be a LEADER
Origin of Slant
Slant started out as the answer to the question...”Now what?”
A client who had just spent an enormous amount of money on a new Web site, asked a valid question. “How is this going to make me money?” (*Crickets*...I didn’t have an answer.)
Got one now.
The name comes from the football route. Regardless of the secondary coverages, some combination of the slant route will enable you to attack the defense. It’s not easy to execute. It’s based on precise timing and execution thus, the slant requires more practice time than any other individual route. The result is a play that is practically impossible to defend.
The goal of Slant Marketing?
Create strategy that is impossible to defend. Exploit your markets/competition, to attract and retain new clients. Develop your brand. Build brand equity. Dominate your market.
Evaluate: options, risk and gain.
Then...“make a play”.