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New Social Network: Tick
Are Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all the other "it" networks getting you down? Are the 140 characters just too much? Is it a hassle to manage all of your networks? Are you looking for a tool that will not only simplify your connections but makes you one of a very, very elite group? Well, meet Tick. Tick is to social media what Quantum Teleportation is to travel. In 15 characters or less you're done. In less than 10 minutes you'll be connected with 20 million other Tickers. Tick also offers 8,000 different easy-to-download apps to help you connect and add value to your busy lifestyle. Managing your life and business has never been simpler. Sign up now and get a free chip insert (street value of $5K) and then all you have to do is think your message. That's right. No more bulky and awkward keypads. No more yelling at your smart phone. Just think it, and it will be.
This is a very limited offer, so don't wait. Tick. Tock.
Tick. An idea whose time has come. (It will make me a gazillionaire)
This is a very limited offer, so don't wait. Tick. Tock.
Tick. An idea whose time has come. (It will make me a gazillionaire)
Waiting for the Next Generation of Hulu
They almost had me hooked. The concept is sound. The technology is good. But there are two things wrong with hulu. One, they have a really crappy selection of movies so far. Two, there are already too many damned commercials, and very bad ones at that.
Just the other day I was enjoying a particularly interesting episode of Stargate Atlantis. But to my dismay, every five minutes and without synchronization with the show breaks, I was bombarded by commercials, bad ones at that.
Listen,I don't mind a short ad or two during the course of a show, being that I'm a marketer and all. The most enlightened advertisers are those that merely offer a brief bit about their sponsoring the show or film. But a commercial every five minutes? Sorry, that's just not going to fly.
So after what looked initially to be a wonderfully matched relationship, two months later I'm done. I'll wait for the next generation of Hulu. What will they be like? They'll be subscription based for sure, perhaps with tiered options. They will have a far, far better selection of movies for sure. They will have an expanded repertoire of TV show as well. Probably online gaming options, too.
A girl can dream.
Just the other day I was enjoying a particularly interesting episode of Stargate Atlantis. But to my dismay, every five minutes and without synchronization with the show breaks, I was bombarded by commercials, bad ones at that.
Listen,I don't mind a short ad or two during the course of a show, being that I'm a marketer and all. The most enlightened advertisers are those that merely offer a brief bit about their sponsoring the show or film. But a commercial every five minutes? Sorry, that's just not going to fly.
So after what looked initially to be a wonderfully matched relationship, two months later I'm done. I'll wait for the next generation of Hulu. What will they be like? They'll be subscription based for sure, perhaps with tiered options. They will have a far, far better selection of movies for sure. They will have an expanded repertoire of TV show as well. Probably online gaming options, too.
A girl can dream.
Sign of the Times: Another Local Small Business Closes
It's Friday night and after a long work day I can now reflect on the news a friend of mine told me yesterday. They are closing their coffee shop/cafe...tomorrow.
It was three years ago when they first opened their doors to the public. Three years ago they graced the landscape with an interior and atmosphere that rivaled Starbuck's in their hey day. This cafe had style. They had an in-house chef. There was live music on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Local artists' work gave the interior a changing mood and color. Oh, yes, and there was very drinkable coffee.
Business grew and as of late, it's been bustling. Nonetheless, they are closing their doors. The high cost of their storefront rent and the rigidity of their landlord to renegotiate it has priced the cafe out of business. Strangely, the landlord doesn't see a problem with the fact they've only had two renters the past couple of years, and now there will be only one. And they apparently missed the memo about the commercial real estate fall out.
It's one thing when a business closes because it failed to meet customer demands. It's another to watch a one that did, fold. It is a sign of the times on many levels. All I can tell my friend is that they can be very proud of what they did achieve. They took an idea, wrapped it in style and taste, and turned it into a business that won over customers like me. I thank them for gracing the community and for a friendship that developed in the process.
It was three years ago when they first opened their doors to the public. Three years ago they graced the landscape with an interior and atmosphere that rivaled Starbuck's in their hey day. This cafe had style. They had an in-house chef. There was live music on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Local artists' work gave the interior a changing mood and color. Oh, yes, and there was very drinkable coffee.
Business grew and as of late, it's been bustling. Nonetheless, they are closing their doors. The high cost of their storefront rent and the rigidity of their landlord to renegotiate it has priced the cafe out of business. Strangely, the landlord doesn't see a problem with the fact they've only had two renters the past couple of years, and now there will be only one. And they apparently missed the memo about the commercial real estate fall out.
It's one thing when a business closes because it failed to meet customer demands. It's another to watch a one that did, fold. It is a sign of the times on many levels. All I can tell my friend is that they can be very proud of what they did achieve. They took an idea, wrapped it in style and taste, and turned it into a business that won over customers like me. I thank them for gracing the community and for a friendship that developed in the process.
Weighing in on the Tiger Woods Speech
The carefully crafted, carefully staged Tiger Woods speech absolutely begs at least two questions. First, what's up with the timing? Why does Woods' team say that it couldn't have waited until Monday, as opposed to running smack dab in the middle of the Accenture tournament?
Secondly, given the nature of the speech itself, was anything the man said really newsworthy? To us there was nothing that Woods said that couldn't have been said sooner...or later for that matter.
Our take on the speech? We agree with those commentators who deem it self-serving and illogically timed. Certainly in the months to come we may learn there was indeed a strategy to the timing in particular. But right here, right now, Woods and his posse must contend with the response to this one singular event—-an event orchestrated to make it appear more important than it actually was. Because if you read the speech script, there was nothing new or enlightening offered. Indeed, it reads choreographed to appeal to each and every anticipated viewer, hitting on gleaned touch points along the way, but avoiding reference to any substantive corrective actions. This opposed to a heartfelt confession from a truly humbled individual.
As crisis management goes, we are among those who find Woods' PR team woefully wanting. From the beginning that team failed to move swiftly or effectively in response to the tsunami-sized wave of scrutiny of the November 2009 car accident. Today's speech does little to change our perspective. In fact, we are left with the impression that these guys are simply thumbing their noses at Joe Public, by showcasing their ability to manipulate media scheduling with what turns out to be banal sound bites, and implying that they know things they have no intention of sharing.
In summary, we are not impressed. As Woods himself said, from hereon in it will be his actions that ultimately speak for him.
Secondly, given the nature of the speech itself, was anything the man said really newsworthy? To us there was nothing that Woods said that couldn't have been said sooner...or later for that matter.
Our take on the speech? We agree with those commentators who deem it self-serving and illogically timed. Certainly in the months to come we may learn there was indeed a strategy to the timing in particular. But right here, right now, Woods and his posse must contend with the response to this one singular event—-an event orchestrated to make it appear more important than it actually was. Because if you read the speech script, there was nothing new or enlightening offered. Indeed, it reads choreographed to appeal to each and every anticipated viewer, hitting on gleaned touch points along the way, but avoiding reference to any substantive corrective actions. This opposed to a heartfelt confession from a truly humbled individual.
As crisis management goes, we are among those who find Woods' PR team woefully wanting. From the beginning that team failed to move swiftly or effectively in response to the tsunami-sized wave of scrutiny of the November 2009 car accident. Today's speech does little to change our perspective. In fact, we are left with the impression that these guys are simply thumbing their noses at Joe Public, by showcasing their ability to manipulate media scheduling with what turns out to be banal sound bites, and implying that they know things they have no intention of sharing.
In summary, we are not impressed. As Woods himself said, from hereon in it will be his actions that ultimately speak for him.
The Customer is Superfluous
Customer service? We don't need no stinking customer service.
From online marketing and finance services to an organic foods producer, we're simply exasperated by the lack of sales skills and customer service focus each of these companies has demonstrated. Cocky salespeople without a clue are the bane of our marketing existence. The organic foods producer we mention pointedly put the responsibility in our hands to motivate a local store to carry more of their products. God forbid they'd do the job themselves or launch an e-commerce solution. But hey, we're just a lowly customer, right?
Honestly, and as relates to the vast array of marketing service companies we've encountered in recent years, only one representative has demonstrated a true skill for sales and customer service. That's right, just one. We'd love to give her a medal. Or perhaps MCTT should launch an awards program honoring her and her very rare breed. On the other hand, there may be too few entries to make the program worthwhile.
If your company cannot sincerely express focus on the customer, than at least learn how to fake it well. Buyers like us will greatly appreciate the effort, and bestow you with initial orders and return business.
From online marketing and finance services to an organic foods producer, we're simply exasperated by the lack of sales skills and customer service focus each of these companies has demonstrated. Cocky salespeople without a clue are the bane of our marketing existence. The organic foods producer we mention pointedly put the responsibility in our hands to motivate a local store to carry more of their products. God forbid they'd do the job themselves or launch an e-commerce solution. But hey, we're just a lowly customer, right?
Honestly, and as relates to the vast array of marketing service companies we've encountered in recent years, only one representative has demonstrated a true skill for sales and customer service. That's right, just one. We'd love to give her a medal. Or perhaps MCTT should launch an awards program honoring her and her very rare breed. On the other hand, there may be too few entries to make the program worthwhile.
If your company cannot sincerely express focus on the customer, than at least learn how to fake it well. Buyers like us will greatly appreciate the effort, and bestow you with initial orders and return business.
The U.S. Economy and Paradoxical Realities
As we traverse the tenth year or so of this particular "recession" I continue to come across perplexing realities that defy logic. What about you? What have you found odd or illogical?
- Doctors offices where the first question is "may I have your insurance card?" as if that is still the norm.
- Online news reports about the precipitous drop of women getting regular mammograms and speculations as to why.
- Big ticket items sold out on etsy via their email blasts.
- Community banks with exact replicas of big bank "small business" lines of credit offerings and criteria.
- Anyone surprised to learn how many people have been reduced to living in their cars or worse, and how quickly it can happen.
- The still high prices of organic products/foods regardless of the fact the industry has matured and grown exponentially. In any other industry consumer prices would have fallen by now. Apparently the term organic does not go hand-in-hand with the terms integrity and communal good.
There are more examples I could share, but these particular items have been brewing in my head for the past week. I'd be interested to hear yours.
Dear NBC and VOC, I Won't be Watching the Winter Olympics
While I applaud the opening ceremonies salute to fallen luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, I find the quick and dirty "investigation" results into the cause of his death deplorable. So to NBC and the Vancouver Olympics Committee I say, don't count me among those tuning into this year's Winter Olympics. I wish I could support all of the other athletes who have worked so hard to compete at this level, but I cannot be party to yet another example of the exponential growth of institutional irresponsibility.
I completely agree with Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports
I completely agree with Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports
Cross-Cultural Marketing Test: Think You Know China? Think Again
MCTT has been a proponent of cross-cultural intelligence for a long time, so it's great to see coverage of related topics and specifically insights such as those of P.T. Black, partner at Jigsaw International, a boutique lifestyle research agency in Shanghai that looks at the direction of change in China, particularly among young adults.
Check out his article "Think You Know China? Eight Things Foreigners Get Wrong"
Check out his article "Think You Know China? Eight Things Foreigners Get Wrong"
Practical Entrepreneurship 3.0 / The Quick and Dirty Reference
Entrepreneurship is both dream and nightmare. The dream is you get to decide what your business will be, how you will run it, the type of customers/clients you ultimately want to have and not have. You have the flexibility to change direction if you want, make modifications on the fly.
These days your company can be totally virtual. Or it can have a storefront/offices with virtual business tools. Know that his transparency can be both gift and albatross. Know that the iPad and other tools like it bring the upside of yet more mobility, along with downside of being locked into proprietary platforms.
On the nightmare side your success can create as much stress as potential failure, because your business saps time and energy. It takes Olympian dedication. It demands personal sacrifice.
These days your company can be totally virtual. Or it can have a storefront/offices with virtual business tools. Know that his transparency can be both gift and albatross. Know that the iPad and other tools like it bring the upside of yet more mobility, along with downside of being locked into proprietary platforms.
On the nightmare side your success can create as much stress as potential failure, because your business saps time and energy. It takes Olympian dedication. It demands personal sacrifice.
Like anything else in life, there is both good and bad to being an entrepreneur. The key is going in with your eyes wide open and fully prepared.
REALITY CHECK 3.0
- Unless you are either brilliant or lucky with V.C. or Angel funding, be prepared to manage your business on a cash basis, as credit lines have been slashed or closed across the board.
- Other financing options are community banks, credit unions, and more creative options you will need to assess with great care (see the February 2010 issue of Entrepreneur "Bankology" article for details).
- Successes like Tatto Media are still more the exception than the rule.
- Beyond a great idea, what generally facilitates such college student start-up success is:
- No business experience baggage/major preconceptions
- High energy and fewer life distractions
- Team bonding virtually unparalleled in the business world
- Luck and great timing
- Beyond a great idea, what generally facilitates such college student start-up success is:
For more pedestrian small businesses, if you will, owners on a daily basis must balance huge workloads with family matters, cash flow constraints, employee issues, not so flashy business ideas and models...all while pursuing new business and managing operations. FYI, just because this is the case does not make your business any less important than that of the likes of Tatto.
While so-called experts like to refer to Entrepreneurship 3.0 as the true blend of lifestyle and business, the reality is that has always been the case. You live and breathe your start up. It becomes woven into the fabric of your life.
THE BOTTOM LINE 3.0
At the very least, entrepreneurship gives you a chance to divine your own destiny. It provides the means to pursue a passion or a different lifestyle. You can redefine who you are. And whether you succeed or not is in both your and fate's hands, not someone else's. At best you succeed to the point you have gained control over your destiny and no longer have to worry about money from month to month. You create a new paradigm in your own existence. And perhaps along the way you manage to make others' lives better in the process.