MAY 2009

Okay, first take a look at the napkin art. Then read the thinking below.


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The U.S. is pumping billions of dollars into a struggling economy to save sinking businesses that have failed to keep pace with world-wide changes.

Do we need to 'save' GM or should we let the pieces go to the highest bidders? Those with the capital to buy up the failing businesses could start new ventures.

We need new ideas, new services and new products for a permanently changed economy. We spend, waste, far too much money ...
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I really don't understand why service at nearly every business is getting worse. In an economic slow-down, market share is gained by providing great service.

Oddly, the decline in service has nothing to do with cutting cost---or cutting costs should not affect service. It's cheap to be efficient and answer questions. It's cheap to help people place orders!

Case 1: Google. I have an Ad Words account which I use to manage advertising for some of ...
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Building community around your product is the most important marketing step you can take. It used to be branding. Now it's community. People have less brand loyalty than they have business loyalty if they feel that they are important---part of something.

You build community by opening every line of communication possible. Answer the phone. Reply to emails. Call back.

Look, it's a lot cheaper to give great service and make people want to talk about ...
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Newton's First Law

A body in motion will continue in motion and a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by force.

You have people in your business who are always in motion. And, you've got some that never seem to be moving.

Physics. Basic Physics.

If you do not introduce some energy, those bodies at rest will remain at rest.

Energy can be in the form of motivation or threat. That's up to you.

The ...
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F=M*A

Do you know what that means?  You should. It can determine the fate of your business.

It means FORCE = MASS X ACCELERATION

So what and how how does that apply to business?

OK. I have a 15 pound bowling ball. I rest it gently on a glass table. There it sits. The mass is 15 pounds. Nothing is happening. Dull.

Now, if I lift that same bowling to 20 feet above the glass table and release it, what ...
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If you want to increase market share, now is the time.

Yes, sales are down. In some cases way down. The pie available is smaller. So what?! You have to live with that. It's the way it is. But there is great opportunity if you work on your marketing.

Work smart. Be aggressive. Most of your competitors are cutting everything---to survive. If you continue marketing, continue building relationships, continue providing great service and continue innovating, you ...
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Chrysler is terminating contracts with nearly 800 dealers. GM is considering booting 1,100 dealers from their flock. So what? Do we need car dealers? No.

There was never a time when the car salesman had a good reputation. Think of an item people hate to buy and a car will be the first thing that comes to mind just ahead of a root canal. Buying a new car should be fun. It's a huge investment but ...
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