Life In The Weeds

Walmart goes Vudu

As reported here, months and months ago, Walmart is changing their image.  They continue to shift from "home of the redneck" to a hip and cool way to purchase all things inexpensively.

Now, they have upgraded their hipness and coolness with the purchase of Vudu, a streaming movie rental service.

Lookout Netflix?  Not sure, but if I were Netflix, I would be nervously looking in the rear view mirror at the Walmart guerrilla charging...

mj

Six months in the books!

Well, our little Blog experiment seems to have taken hold!

We have successfully been blogging for 6-months, or at least, we have been blogging for 6-months...who's to say if we have been successful.

How would you gage success in blogging?  Not sure you can...

Our goal was not to win "blogger of the year", rather, we wanted to put pen to paper and get some interesting thoughts and ideas out there in the blogosphere.

For that, we have succeeded.

Life In The Weeds is on the map!

mj

ROWE (results only work environment)

I listened to an interesting TED talk this morning by Dan Pink - http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

It's worth a listen, especially if you are running your own business (or plan to) or leading a group of individuals and need to find ways to motivate.

The premise of his talk centers around the idea that traditional carrot and stick incentives, like money, ONLY work in tasks that require a narrow "mechanical" like focus.  In all other cases where creativity and free thinking are needed, carrot and stick incentives do not work!

I am a subscriber to this notion.  We are working in a world where blue suits and polished shoes are no longer needed.  Big offices with all the trimmings are a waste.  In my business, we hire freelancers often and they are hired based on the ROWE principal.  They are not measure by when they do their work (in regards to time of day) or where they do their work (usually at home)...they are measured by the results they produce.  They define the parameters to accomplish their tasks!

If people are given the autonomy to accomplish a certain goal, they will be inclined to work towards mastery of this goal because they will find purpose in what they are doing.

It's not a sweeter carrot or a sharper stick...

mj

What does it take to be a success?

I am no philosopher, but I suggest that you read this incredibly interesting take on the matter by the very plain speaking, yet incredibly insightful, Kevin Kelly. 

The synopsis: A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author - in other words, anyone producing works of art - needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living. 

O.D.O.o.O.D.B. 

Reply All

As the new self-appointed ruler of the electronic communication universe, I hereby outlaw the use of "Reply All", when there is more than two recipients. 

The use of Reply All has wasted more time than all the speeches made by politicians times 10. Don't you hate it? Don't you think a little less of people that use it ... especially when they send a note to 50 people to say, "Thanks" or "Okay". 

Really, shouldn't every software program include a popup window that says, "STOP - your about to look like an idiot to your co-workers & friends",  every time Reply All is clicked.

So, it's settled, no more Reply All.

On a serious note, I was told by an email efficiency expert that the best way to get less email (from co-workers and friends) is to send less emails yourself, and CC as few people as possible. He noted that if you send one email with a CC to 3 people, it is the equivalent of sending 4 separate emails because each person is likely to reply.  

O.D.O.o.O.D.B. 

Words you never hear at the lunch table

"I was at a really great meeting today."

Why is that? What can you do about it? 

Check out this post by Seth Godin.

You're probably as guilty as the next person - I know I am. 

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.   

Is Email Dead?

How absurd is the notion that e-mail may, in fact, be dead!  Don't scoff...it may be true!

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a presentation by Clara Shih, author of The Facebook Era.  Clara is one of the top business social networking thought leaders and created one of the first business applications on Facebook.  Her presentation was great and very insightful...very Ted like! 

She outlined the social networking revolution and ascertained that Facebook will be the new form of communication with BUSINESS clients.  In researching her book, she interviewed thousands of college students about ways they communicate and almost ALL said they do not use email anymore.  These are future business leaders...being weened from email completely!  Clara actually used the words, email is dead!

Obviously, email is not dead...at least not yet.  Though, her opinion, and I agree, is that email is a dying breed and will eventually become extinct!  I know it is an unbelievable notion, but true nonetheless.

I was more fascinated by the idea that Facebook will become your own personal CRM...she pointed out various ways to use Facebook that were unfamiliar to me. Let me say, I am not a Facebook fan!   I have been reluctant to join because I really do not (until now!) see the value...but based on her presentation, I plan on exploring.  I just picked up her book and plan on diving in soon!

She played this clip, which pokes fun at the entirenotion of Facebook...unfortunately, this is the new way of the world!

mj 

The Vendor Client Relationship

This clip is perfect for anyone who has ever felt screwed by a vendor!

It's the classic scenario where the Vendor agrees on a certain price, but then wants more, more and more...all for NO EXTRA CHARGE!

Aren't last minute changes included?

You mean to tell me, working through the night is extra?

Enjoy this clip -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY

 

The lesson here is building a credible, trusting relationship with your clients.  If this exits, your client won't pull this kind of crap on you!

 

How to fill a vacant store front

In Pennington, Hopewell and Princeton New Jersey there are a number of vacant store fronts. 

If I owned or was the broker for one of those store fronts, I would post a huge sign in the window with a message similar to this: Wanted: Your suggestions for businesses you'd love to have in this location. Please go to www.thiswebsite.com and give us your suggestion. At the site, people would see a list of various businesses as well as a blank box for other suggestions. Hopefully, lots of people would participate. I'd also post the same message in the local paper for a few weeks.

Why not tap the wisdom of the crowd? The citizens know best what they want and what they'd support.

Armed with lots of requests for business "x", the store owner or broker could proactively recruit a provider for that type of business and sell that business owner with proof that local townspeople, their future customers, want to support such a business.    

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.