Week of September 1, 2008

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

Coming to you from the city by the bay, beautiful San Francisco.  This gem of California remains my favorite city in America.  Last night we went for a dinner cruise in the bay with everyone from the meeting.  We had perfect weather and it was a fantastic end to a challenging meeting. 

 

Though it was a holiday shorten week there was a lot going on.  I spent much of it preparing for 10 consecutive weeks of travel.  Shipping teaching tools to various locations, customizing presentations and reporting on two key strategic platforms I am launching for a couple of great clients.  That makes for a busy week!

 

I actually found a little time to start writing the book. Yep, really writing.  No hints on the exact topic, at least not yet.

 

Next  week  I am off to Minneapolis.

 

Maybe as we creep into September temps might lessen in Dallas.  I can only hope as the past Labor Day was filled with my favorite combination – heat AND humidity.

 

I signed three more offerings of the Repeatable Successful Acts platform.  It is really picking up momentum as we head into the 4^th quarter.

 

The September newsletter is done and has been sent.  If you want on the mailing list, send me a note.  You can also access it on creativeventu.staging.wpengine.com .

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

As markets become more and more segmented, competition becomes the name of the game and finding advantages is a full time leadership job.  Even competing against the big boys, you can find ways to create winning formulas.  Here are a few ideas we use with clients:

 

• DISCOVER:  You should be in constant discovery mode, always looking for ways to find out what your customers are thinking and what they want.  Use surveys, organize customer “do-nut” meetings with free eats and coffee where the goal is to find out what your clients think.  Call them after a sale or engagement to find out how you did.  Customer information is gold.
• PLAN:  Put your information to a logical use.  Make changes that customers suggest to show their input is valued. 
• CUSTOMER SERVICE:  Assume responsibility for mistakes immediately and provide elegant, simple solutions.  This alone is a huge factor in customer loyalty.  Add levels of personalized service to make an impact.  Try handwritten notes.
• ATTENTION TO DETAIL:  This is one of the first places I start when engaged by a client.  Everything from the initial greeting to a simple smile is on the table.  They all make a difference and require constant maintenance.

 

These are a few of the strategies that will allow you to win the competitive war.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:  Forget about Traitor and Babylon AD, both sucked.  At the end of Babylon I looked around and thought, “I don’t remember leaving the theater for an extended period of time.”  The whole thing didn’t make sense.  Try Bangkok Dangerous with one of Laura’s fav’s – Nick Cage.

 

NetFlix Fans:  Redbelt –   This is my favorite movie of 2008 and is now out in video.

 

TV:    The 11^th Hour is a new science based thriller series about an FBI scientist who stops science related catastrophes.  Looks really cool and I will be there for the 1^st episode this fall on CBS.

 

BOOKS:  Swan Peak – by James Lee Burke.  After a series of non-fiction reads the trip to San Francisco gave me a great opportunity to jump back into some of my favorite authors.  Burke’s character, Dave Robicheaux is one of the best ever created.  Burke’s rich writing style is one of a kind.

 

MUSIC:   Chris Volpe does a marvelous job with a phrase that turns your imagination.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmVX_2NIqaQ

 

WEB SITES:   Keep up with all the happenings at the US Open.

 

http://www.usopen.org

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

Everyone likes getting a thoughtful surprise, and giving them isn’t so bad either. But it’s not always easy to find the time to shop and send something or, for that matter, to remember to do so. A Brazilian startup has come up with a solution: prepaid plans for multiple gifts over a set period of time.

Targeting male gift-givers, Ticket to Mind offers four different plans: Basic, Plus, Advanced and Express, ranging in price from BRL 19.90 to BRL 69.90 per month (USD 12.00-42.00 / EUR 8.25-29.00). The Express plan, for example, is aimed at “conquering a new love or renewing an existing one”, and TTM will send three bouquets of flowers over a four-month period, at random times. The sender receives a notification before each bouquet is shipped, and the flowers include a card with a message based on information provided by the sender.

Other plans include a wider variety of gifts: chocolate, toys, cosmetics and “spicy” items. Prices for each plan include products, shipping and notifications, with no additional costs charged. No mention of TTM is made on the gifts or packaging: the company wisely points out that they’re keen to remain completely invisible to the recipient. Once they’ve signed up for the service, gift-givers can track shipments online and—depending on the plan—pick a few of the gifting dates. But not all of them. After all, the whole point is to be thoughtful not just on Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, but throughout the year. We’re reminded of a trend name that our sister-site trendwatching.com coined a few years ago: planned spontaneity, which sums up the service perfectly. Amazon.com & e-commerce friends: one to add to your services? (Related: Never forget to send a birthday card again.)

Website: www.tickettomind.com.br

 

 

“I’ve lived my whole life

Like the words were on the tip of my tongue.

Chris Volpe

 

Drop me a note with your comments at steve@creativeventures.com

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.