*Star In The Margin

links for 2008-05-12

• Dipity
  I like this...not sure what to do with it, but I like it.
  (tags: aggregator freeware socialnetworking web2.0)
• Homepage - Vyew - FREE Anytime Collaboration and Live Conferencing™
  this is a free web conferencing tool which might be useful if you have an off-site corporate office, pr firm, etc. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to soon.
  (tags: meetings productivity web2.0 webconferencing)

If You Approached Every New Customer With The Hope They Might Become a Friend...

• You would take the time to learn things about them, treat them like individuals and show that you care
• You would ask permission to keep in touch, and only with relevant information
• You would personally ask for their feedback...and you would do something with their ideas
• You would make sure everyone in  your organization understood the importance of making them feel special, and you would train everyone how to do it

And, after you made a new friend, you wouldn't do anything to lose their trust, knowing that would lead to the death of your organization.

Now apply all of the above to your employees...they're more important than your customer.

links for 2008-05-08

• Boinx Software - FotoMagico
  looks very impressive...for amateurs and pro's. I haven't tried it yet...anyone have any experience with it?
  (tags: photography software presentations)

Cold Calls Don't Work

Two gentleman representing a major and well known insurance company stopped by to sell me their product today.  Problem is...from the get go, they didn't stand a chance. They didn't bother making an appointment. They weren't forthcoming about what they wanted. They asked me for fifteen minutes of my time. And, when I said how about now, they said they couldn't. When I asked them for a business card, they didn't have one (I had to write their contact info on my own notepad...I'm guessing they didn't have one of those either). This was a clear example of a salesperson making a call just so they could say they did it, so they could complete their weekly call sheet to prove they did some work. They had no expectation to really get in the door. And, when they did, they weren't even slightly prepared.

The whole process was about them...and not at all about me. They hadn't taken the time to learn anything about me or my company, hadn't asked for permission to make a pitch...heck, they didn't even have a good reason to make a pitch. They were so busy trying to make the sale, they forgot the most important thing...to invest time to make a friend, to earn trust...to develop a meaningful relationship.

My guess is that this sort of failure starts with a company which is focused on the wrong things...a company which measures interruptive activity instead of relationships.

Stop worrying about the number of calls and e-mail lists you can generate and spend more time on what you can do to improve your value to each person on those lists. What are you doing to help move their organization forward? Can you help them achieve objectives that don't benefit you directly? Imagine my reaction if two insurance salesmen made an appointment to discuss ideas about solving my staffing problems, or how to get an insurance meeting held at the hotel next year. Imagine if they cared enough to ask whether or not I had any interest in a new insurance product?

Cold calls don't work because they put people on the defensive...they're insensitive, interruptive and presumptive....not exactly a formula for making friends.

Experience Isn't That Important

What's the first thing most people look for in an applicant? Experience. What's the bulk of the content on a resume? Experience. Considering how fast the world is changing, how mediocre doesn't cut it, how radically marketing concepts are changing, how function is being replaced by meaningful experience, etc., it's likely that the  "most experienced"  candidate may no longer the best selection...especially if the majority of that learning took place over the last six years...times have been so good that you could basically sleepwalk your way to success.  If you've built your organization to be remarkable and have committed to building long lasting relationships with both customers and employees, you'll probably spend too much time deprogramming someone if you focus on the experience side of their resume. Contrarily, dig into much more challenging territory like personality, communications and the ability to think...find out if  people who are willing to learn, show passion for something, can demonstrate the ability to adapt, and are interested in doing some "open field running" vs. bringing the play book from their last job.

Your only chance for long-term success is to build a team of passionate, hair on fire, values oriented players..who can admit defeat, adapt, think their way through problems and push the edge at every turn. Anything less will result in a futile endeavor.

links for 2008-05-04

• HandBrake
  i haven't used this yet...but, it comes highly recommended
  (tags: freeware opensource software video)

links for 2008-05-03

• Addictomatic: Inhale the Web
  a very tidy way to comb the web for any search...great for researching guests, job candidates, etc.
  (tags: search tools)

How's Your Banwidth?

Complimentary WiFi is no longer a nice to have...it's a standard. If you don't have it, better get it. But, with the proliferation of both notebook computer users and their appetite for user generated content, music and video your  next problem is likely to be how "long it takes to download anything". Check your speeds in various locations. Be sure to check at peak usage periods. High-speed "Broadband" is currently defined by the FCC (USA) as a minimum download time of 768 kbit/s. If you aren't achieving that, it might be the router, the actual pipe coming into the building (T-1, DSL, etc.), the amount of usage or a combination of all three. Broadband connections are quickly becoming standard in the home and office. So, it's sure to be noticed if not provided in a hotel.

A couple of places to check your speed:

Speedtest.net
Toast.net (try downloading the space shuttle image)

Personal Notes

One of the most powerful things you can do to show someone you care is to write them a personal note. Not a form letter with their name dropped in, but an honest to goodness personalized message...relevant, friendly and timely communication.

Doing this takes extra time, attention and thought. But, in our fast paced, electronic world, that's exactly what makes it so special.

Doing this in a small inn is normal. Doing this in a large hotel is completely unexpected and a really nice way to say both "hello" and "thank you". I urge you to give it a try.

Variety in Trash

I run almost everyday. I pick up trash whenever and wherever I go...no particular reason, just to make it cleaner I guess. I'm amazed at the variety. Here's yesterday's haul...only a two mile trip.