Next month I'm speaking in Banff, AB for the International Distributors Association. They are a world wide non-profit association of independent businesses that supply quality parts, service and equipment to the heavy construction industry. In preparation for any presentation, I always ask to speak with a number of stakeholders to learn about their businesses, the industry, and their … [Read more...]
The Science of Honesty & Transparency
I received the following email last week with the Subject line: "The Science of Persuasion." "Hi Steve, My name is Erica XXXXX and I'm a copywriter by day and around the clock tech-aficionado. The past couple of weeks I have been working on a project about the science of persuasion and behavioral economics; how it affects us in financial decision making. I had a great time … [Read more...]
Shocking News: Starbucks Is Not Your Friend!
I'm sorry, gang. I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post! How time flies when you're having fun, right? I've had a pretty full end of Summer between family and work. I spent eight days in Chicago for the 2013 International Manufacturing Technology Show. It was AMAZING. Held every other year, I've consulted for them now for something like 20 years. This … [Read more...]
He Who Cares The Most Wins: Old Rule #11
This is #11 and last in my series of Old Rules of Business That Still Matter. I hope you've found them interesting and useful. I've had tremendous response to the Old Rules, so I plan to combine them into a free ebook. These are by no means the be-all/end-all to Old Rules that should still make a difference, but I think they're good start. Thanks for following these and sharing them. … [Read more...]
Even Harley-Davidson is Struggling
In a March 22, 2009 New York Times article, Susanna Hamner writes:After riding high for two decades, the company that makes the hulky bikes that devoted riders affectionately call Hogs is sputtering. Harley-Davidson's core customers are graying baby boomers, whose savings, in many cases, have gone up in smoke in the market downturn. Few are in the mood to shell out up to $20,000 or more for … [Read more...]
Relationships are built on TRUST. Trust is built on TRUTH.
Kay and I have been going through a frustrating period with a supplier recently. We really like the service they provide and have high hopes for our future with them, which is why I'm not mentioning their name in this post. (Of course, if things DON'T get fixed, that will change.)This supplier made a change in their online ordering system and switched to a fancy-dan, … [Read more...]
And So We Fight On
I live outside Seattle and it seems like we're getting bad news on a daily basis. First, it's Starbucks laying people off. Then it's Boeing laying people off. Then it's Microsoft laying people off. Then it's Starbucks laying people off (wait a minute...).Of course, we're not the only ones being hammered by the economy. Everybody else is, too. I wouldn't want to be … [Read more...]
Speaking of Trust…
I'm honored to say that my last post, Trust: A Relationship of Reliance, has been featured in the Carnival of Trust posting on Ann Bares's Compensation Force blog. (Whew, are those enough links in one sentence?) There are several excellent postings about Trust. My particular favorite is my buddy, Rebecca Morgan's story about her recent vacation in Lake Placid, NY. I'm beginning to think this … [Read more...]
Trust: a Relationship of Reliance
A very good friend of mine called the other day looking for some advice. (I warned him that advice is usually worth exactly what you pay for it, but he still asked.) First, let me preface his story by saying I've known my friend (I'll call him John, not his real name) for about eight years now. John's in sales and I've had numerous opportunities to observe how he takes care of his customers, even … [Read more...]
I don’t know how to be the Dad of a 16-year-old
Well, it's official. I am now the father of a 16-year-old daughter. Now how the heck do I compare that with Starbucks closing 600 stores? … [Read more...]